Email of the Day: I Was the Daughter-in-Law From Hell

I was the daughter-in-law from hell. I love my husband, but I couldn’t stand his parents. I cringed at every text or email, but was nice to their faces. I positioned it as me against them, and I ALWAYS won. I was like a dragon and I would breathe fire to destroy my mother-in-law.

Then I started listening to you again, and a few calls you’ve taken have opened my eyes to what I’ve been doing. The issue is not about her at all – it’s about me!! My “aha” moment was when I realized that I put my own mother on a pedestal. I realized that I wanted my daughter to love MY parents best. But the reality is my mom doesn’t really have time for us. She rarely answers her phone or responds to pictures and videos I send of her granddaughter. But here is my mother-in-law, trying so hard to be a part of our life, and I’ve been rejecting her.

I’ve directed my anger at the wrong person. She just wants to show my kid love, be part of her life, teach her things and be FAMILY to her. My husband has stood by my side and let me work through this. He defended his parents, but also heard me out. I chose a good man with a healthy family. I need to open my heart more to the love they are trying to give.

Adreanne, the recovering mother-in-law hater

I Was the Daughter-in-Law From Hell