Mum, your son is a grown man!
Thats exactly what I said to my mother-in-law, as she yet again asked her son what underwear he was wearing. For heavens sake, he turned thirty last week. She micromanages his every move and clearly thinks Im beneath her.
Im constantly left astounded by the way she lords over his life, but honestly, Ive reached my limit. The situation has gotten so out of hand that my husband will consider leaving his job just because she disapproves of his workplace. Whenever hes between jobs, she just hands him money. Of course, shes rather well-off, but I refuse to live under someone elses charity with a healthy, able-bodied husband.
One afternoon, as we were getting ready for a wedding, my husband had bought himself a new suitnothing fancy, but sensible and well-priced. The moment his mother saw it, she erupted with fury because it wasnt a designer brand. She thrust a wad of pounds into his hand and ordered him to get a proper suit.
Not long ago, she gifted us a flatbut naturally, its in her name. I tried not to let it bother me, but shes redecorating the entire place to her own taste. How can I feel at home somewhere when I cant even pick out a toilet seat?
On the one hand, perhaps were meant to be grateful for her generosity. Yet on the other, it seems as though she takes pleasure in reminding us shes in control. She does everything for her son, and he seems perfectly content to let her pull the stringsnever once standing up to her.
A few weeks ago, my own mum travelled from her little village to come see me. She planned to stay with us in the city. But when my husband greeted her at the door, he said, Lets make Mum a cup of tea, and then well get her a taxi to Aunties.
Turned out, my mother-in-law had insisted my mother be kept well away from meclaiming her presence might be a bad influence. My mum has family here, of course, but she came to see me, so she should stay with me.
You know what I did? I packed a bag and left with my mum. I have no regretsit was high time I stopped bowing and scraping.
If theres one thing Ive learned: Never tie yourself to a mummys boy. Itll only make you miserable.
