Grieving MIL Expects Her Son And His Wife To Take Care Of Her, But Doesn’t Know It Annoys Them Both

Everything on Earth, even the best things, come to an end sooner or later. Death is actually an integral part of our existence. And no matter how much wise people say that for a highly organized mind death is nothing more than a new adventure, it’s not easy to come to terms with the passing away of our loved ones. It’s damn hard to be honest.

The story we are going to tell you today, from the user Anonymous75, is about exactly this. Our heroine has a mother-in-law who became a widow 4 months ago—and since then she continues to mourn her late husband, not even realizing that constant grief actually wears out the ones around her…

More info: Mumsnet

The author of the post has a mother-in-law who lost her husband around 4 months ago and has been mourning him ever since

Grieving mother-in-law standing by a casket with flowers, looking emotional and contemplative.

Image credits: Pavel Danilyuk / Pexels (not the actual photo)

The main problem, according to the author, is that the lady keeps expecting her and her spouse to console her literally every given day

Text excerpt discussing a grieving MIL expecting care from her son and daughter-in-law, causing them both annoyance.

Text describing parental support and care responsibilities for a grieving mother-in-law.

Text from a story about a grieving MIL expecting frequent visits, discussing emotional challenges and boundaries.

Image credits: Anonymous75

Grieving mother-in-law looking upset on a couch, while another woman listens in the background.

Image credits: Kaboompics.com / Pexels (not the actual photo)

The author understands and shares this deep grievance, too, but she thinks that this situation is starting to wear them all out

Text extract about a husband stressed by his responsibilities, including caring for his grieving mother.

Text discussing a suffocating relationship with a grieving MIL and the challenges in setting visit boundaries.

Text discussing the challenge of balancing care for a grieving MIL with personal time and work commitments.

Image credits: Anonymous75

Man in pajamas looking stressed, sitting on a bed, reflecting annoyance with a family situation.

Image credits: gpointstudio / Freepik (not the actual photo)

So the woman considers setting some boundaries with her MIL—maybe asking her not to visit their place daily

Text expressing frustration over an unexpected visit, highlighting tension in family care dynamics.

Text discussing a grieving MIL expecting care from her son and wife, causing annoyance due to family dynamics.

Text about a mother-in-law expecting care from her son and daughter-in-law despite causing them frustration.

Image credits: Anonymous75

However, the author also assumes she might look heartless and cruel, so she sought support online

So, the Original Poster (OP) says that about 4 months ago, her father-in-law passed away, and since then her mother-in-law has not stopped mourning him. Relatives—also the author’s family—have provided and continue to provide her with maximum help and support, but now, months after the funeral, the OP feels emotionally exhausted.

The thing is that in recent months, literally not a day has passed without the MIL visiting their home to seek comfort from the author or her son. Our heroine’s husband was perhaps the hardest of all – he had to cope with his own grief over the loss of his father, and with the support of his mother too.

And the mother could literally call at any moment and tearfully beg him or the author to come to her. Simply because she feels bad and needs consolation. The original poster saw how her husband was torn between this support and his own work, children, and hobbies, and with each passing day, she increasingly asked herself just one question.

Perhaps it was worth somehow setting boundaries in communication with the mother-in-law? For example, so that she comes to them not every day, but at least a couple of times a week. Moreover, the elderly lady has other relatives who also provide her with all kinds of family support. And the OP, overcome by these thoughts, simultaneously experiences remorse if she’s being horrible and heartless with these thoughts at all?

Grieving mother-in-law sitting by a lake, looking contemplative and concerned.

Image credits: RDNE Stock project / Pexels (not the actual photo)

In any case, experts say that experiencing the death of loved ones is an incredibly difficult experience, and each person does so in their own way. “For some people, mourning can go on so long or be so distressing that it becomes unhealthy. This prolonged and intense reaction to loss is known as complicated grief,” this dedicated post on the National Institute of Aging website says.

“People with this condition may be unable to comprehend or accept the loss, experience intense sorrow and emotional pain, and have trouble resuming their own lives and making plans for the future. Complicated grief can be a serious condition. Those who have it may need additional help to overcome the loss. If sadness is making it difficult for you to carry on in your day-to-day life, help is available,” the same source claims.

In these cases, there is grief counseling, which really helps people cope with unbearable sadness more effectively. Regular talk therapy with a grief counselor or therapist can really help here. On the other hand, another reasonable question arises—how can the author persuade her MIL to take such a step, and what kind of reaction might it cause on her part?

Most people in the comments, also paying tribute to the memory and respect of the late author’s FIL, admit that her mother-in-law should also consider other members of her family. After all, life goes on. “Yes it’s difficult all round, but your MIL has to start to learn to stand on her own feet again and forge a life for herself,” someone wrote. “4 months isn’t long but you don’t have to be in servitude,” another commenter agreed.

In any case, the responders urge the woman to try to get her MIL interested in life again. For example, by appealing to her hobbies. “There’s nothing wrong with starting to set boundaries and encouraging her to develop her own hobbies and things which bring her some joy,” someone added quite wisely. And what would you, our dear readers, advise our heroine to do? Please feel free to share your ideas in the comments below.

People in the comments gave the author their support and suggested she try to somehow get the MIL interested in life again

Text about encouraging independence for grieving mother-in-law through local clubs and interest groups.

Text from a forum discussing a grieving mother-in-law's expectations and impact on her son and daughter-in-law.

A text message discussing grief, family support, and setting expectations after losing a husband.

Text comment discussing family dynamics and care expectations, highlighting emotional strain on the couple.

Text discussing setting boundaries for grieving mother-in-law.

Text about a grieving MIL feeling comforted by staying with family, but unaware she annoys her son and his wife.

Text about MIL grieving process and its emotional impact on family dynamics.

Text advises on setting boundaries with a grieving mother-in-law.

Text exchange about MIL expectations and hosting duties with humorous advice.

Text discussing grieving MIL needing independence to avoid annoying son and daughter-in-law.

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