Marrying into a new family is never easy. Connecting with your new in-laws can be easy or a pretty difficult ordeal. If you’re lucky, your connection with your in-laws is great, and there are no problems. There are some, though, who don’t get that lucky.
Some mothers know the boundaries when it comes to their children’s lives outside their families. Then there are the mothers who need to be in the middle of every conversation, be present for every event, and feel like their opinion needs to be heard.
The YouTube channel Interesting Psychology shared a video about eight signs that indicate a toxic mother-in-law. The video starts off with the question, “What is your favorite mother-in-law joke? Mine is my mother-in-law and I were happy for 20 years, and then we met.” The narrator then asks the questions, “Do they come across as controlling when, in fact, they are simply trying to help?” and, “Is their caring nature misinterpreted for interfering?”
No. 2, a toxic mother-in-law gives advice whether you want it or not. No matter what story you’re telling or what problem you are discussing, there is always a “What I would do” followed by advice you did not ask for.
No. 3, she treats your partner like a child. It’s normal for a mother to always have a soft spot for her children, but it goes a little far when she continues to nurture them like they are unable to do normal adult functions.
No. 4, she lets you know that you are not good enough. I feel like this is the most common toxic mother-in-law trait, and I find it to be the worst. Going through life thinking that no person is good enough for your child is a one-way ticket to always having a bad relationship with your child’s significant other.
If you have mother-in-law problems, get out your checklist and watch the video to find out the other toxic traits!
