So, here’s the story, just as I’d tell you over the phone.
My mum, Margaret, is an absolute nightmare when it comes to boundaries. She never respects anyone else’s space. She never liked my wife, Emma not because of any particular reason, just because I married her and she couldn’t see how I was pulling away from her.
Three weeks ago Emma gave birth to a little girl, Poppy.
Margaret insisted on being in the delivery suite, but Emma wanted me to be the only one by my wife’s side. So while Emma was in labour, Margaret was stuck in the hospital lobby, shouting down the whole floor that she deserved to witness her granddaughters birth.
Whenever Margaret shows up at our place she clings to everything, criticises Emma for being a terrible housewife, and even claims Emma will be a lousy mum. After that, Emma lost her temper and gave me an ultimatum: Margarets feet are not to set foot in our house again. I get it no one wants to be humiliated in their own home.
When we finally got Poppy home, the grandparents wanted to meet her. Emma said my motherinlaw could come over once, but only if she kept quiet. Margaret swore shed stick to that, but the moment she crossed the threshold she started firing off comments:
Its filthy in here. If you want to live like this, keep it that way. At least, out of respect for me, you could tidy up a bit.
Emma snapped again and told her she was no longer welcome the baby could only be seen if we invited her.
Almost two weeks have gone by. The inlaws have met the baby, my dad has, too, but Margaret still hasnt been shown up again and Emma refuses to see her. We havent taken Poppy out because the weathers miserable.
The day before yesterday Emma had a doctors appointment, so I was home with Poppy. I thought Id use the chance to ask Margaret over for a quick visit. She showed up and I told her wed only have about two hours before Emma got back. She wouldnt leave, no matter how hard I tried to persuade her.
Of course Emma came home and found Margaret cuddling the baby. She completely lost it she screamed at both of us, ordered Margaret out, and basically told her to shut her mouth and calm down, because its my house, my baby, and if I want my mother to see her, Emma cant forbid it or throw her out.
In the end Emma pushed Margaret and me out of the house. She refuses to speak to either of us. Ive moved back in with my parents now. Im just hoping Emma calms down soon.
