People Share 30 Awful Stories About Their Mother-In-Law

It’s commonly said that when you marry someone, you marry their family too. Depending on your spouse-to-be, they can maybe be estranged for whatever reason or part of a close-knit family.

With the latter, you can only anticipate trouble if you don’t get along with your significant other’s mother or father. Since they will become YOUR family once you say “I do.”

A significant amount of relationships can end over disagreements caused by or about family. However, there are others who will weather the storm for their love, and put up with all the craziness that comes with their new family.

Thanks to those from both sides of the crazy-inlaw spectrum, we were able to collect some of the wildest mother-in-law stories that really shine a light on why “Monster-in-law” is a well-established trope. Some are truly monstrous.

Something is just not quite right with these mothers, and I can’t imagine these nasty behaviors only show up once their son falls in love with another woman. The co-dependence is real, y’all.

The Buzzfeed community posed the question, “What's The Worst Thing Your Mother-In-Law Ever Did To You?” And holy moly did the responses deliver. Get cozy, grab some popcorn and keep scrolling for some major drama.

1. Good thing she dumped that family

"She took my pellet stove fireplace, insisted she needed it for warmth and sold it for thousands of dollars, leaving a gaping hole in my house. She also took a diamond ring of mine, promised to give me money for it, and never did. My ex-husband cheated on me, but she gave ME a religious video about how women must learn to forgive. As relationship expert Dr. Laura Berman states, 'Forgiveness is a gift you give yourself, but it doesn't mean you have to accept bad behavior from others.' This situation clearly illustrates the complexities of family dynamics and boundaries."

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2. Wedding attire is simple: don't wear white, and don't wear a wedding dress if you're not the bride

"My MIL wore a wedding dress to my wedding."

Dr. Michele Weiner-Davis, a renowned marriage therapist, states, "Involving a mother-in-law in wedding decisions can lead to conflicts that may overshadow the couple's special day." You can learn more about her insights on relationships at divorcebusting.com.

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3. Creepy

"My ex-MIL dyed her hair to match mine and was obsessed with my chest size, to the point where she asked what size cup I was because she wanted an augmentation." As Dr. Helen Fisher, a biological anthropologist, explains, "Such behaviors can stem from a deep-seated desire for connection or competition, often leading to complex family dynamics." For further insights on relationships, visit Dr. Helen Fisher's website.

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4. Mother of the Year

"After I had my son, all I wanted was a beer. I wasn’t nursing or anything. My husband took a picture of me enjoying the beer and holding my son, and she replies to the picture saying 'mother of the year.' I literally wanted to hit her." As Dr. Ramani Durvasula, a clinical psychologist, states, "Family dynamics can often be challenging, especially when it comes to parenting choices. It's important to set boundaries and communicate openly." For more insights on managing family relationships, visit Dr. Ramani Durvasula's website.

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5. Honestly, not sure who is more petty here.

"My MIL chose to have my Brother-in-law's funeral on my first wedding anniversary with her son. She could have waited a week, but chose to punish me instead. She also wore purple at my wedding when the wedding party was told to exclusively wear pink, black, or silver. I’ll never understand." According to Dr. Michele Weiner-Davis, a marriage therapist, "Family dynamics can often create tension, especially during significant life events. It's crucial to communicate openly about feelings to avoid misunderstandings." For more insights, visit her website at Dr. Michele Weiner-Davis.

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6. Why is the position so important??

"My mother-in-law got upset that I wouldn’t tell her which sex position her granddaughter was conceived in," a situation that highlights the complexities of family dynamics. As Dr. Ian Kerner, a renowned sex therapist, states, "Family boundaries are crucial for maintaining healthy relationships, and discussing intimate details can blur those lines." For more insights on navigating family relationships, visit Dr. Ian Kerner's website.

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7. That's just rude

At my sister-in-law’s wedding, my 3-month-old son was having a really hard week. He started teething, got his second round of shots, and had a horrible allergic reaction to cradle cap shampoo. A midwife friend of mine was able to take him during the ceremony because I was a bridesmaid. She was finally able to calm him down by singing. After the wedding, my MIL walked up to us as I was taking my son back and said, 'She’s a lot better at this than you are.' ”

laurenirenew

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8. Petty cow, indeed

"The first time I met the mother-in-law, she turned to my boyfriend (now husband) and said, 'I’ve just been to the lawyer to put the house in a family trust so certain people can’t get their hands on it.' She said this while glaring in my direction. It was more hilarious than hurtful, to be honest. According to Dr. Alexandra Solomon, a relationship expert, 'Family dynamics can often bring out the worst in people, especially when it comes to perceived threats to family assets.' For more insights on navigating complex family relationships, visit Dr. Alexandra Solomon's website.

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9. That's one way to welcome someone to the family

"Within the first 15 minutes of meeting my mother-in-law for the first time, she casually whipped out her boob and started to show me a strange mole she was concerned about. Then, she went into great detail about the vaginal mesh she had put in. Thankfully she didn’t try to whip that out to show me," shared an anonymous contributor. According to Dr. Alexandra Solomon, a relationship expert, "Family dynamics can often lead to unexpected and uncomfortable situations, especially during initial meetings." For more insights on navigating family relationships, visit Dr. Alexandra Solomon's website.

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10. Folks rarely "bounce back" shortly after pregnancy

"I have been married to my husband for 6 years, together for 8 years. My MIL has never remembered my birthday. After I had my baby (her grandson), she came over to meet him and asked me, 'Are you sure there isn’t another baby in there? You still look pregnant.' She’s horrible!" As Dr. Alexandra Solomon, a relationship therapist, notes, "Navigating in-law relationships can be challenging, especially when boundaries and respect are not established." You can find more insights from her on her professional website Dr. Alexandra Solomon.

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11. Never ask or suggest someone is pregnant

"On the way out the door to go to the rehearsal dinner for my wedding, my MIL patted my stomach and asked if there was “something I wanted to let everyone know” about why we were getting married, implying I looked pregnant." As Dr. Michele Weiner-Davis, a marriage therapist, notes, "In-laws can sometimes blur the lines of boundaries, leading to uncomfortable situations. It's essential to communicate openly to maintain healthy relationships." You can find more insights from her on her website Michele Weiner-Davis.

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12. Yikes

"She got on her knees and begged me not to marry her son… the night before our wedding."

Dr. Alexandra Solomon, relationship therapist states, "When family dynamics are strained, it can lead to significant emotional turmoil, especially during pivotal life events like weddings." This sentiment is echoed by Dr. Laura Berman, sex therapist, who emphasizes that "boundaries are crucial in maintaining healthy relationships, particularly with in-laws."

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13. I wonder if that was on purpose

"My mother-in-law and I generally get along well, but a few years ago, she unintentionally gave me salmonella by serving a piece of undercooked chicken. While I should have checked it before eating, the aftermath was challenging, especially while breastfeeding my 4-month-old. I experienced severe dehydration due to simultaneous diarrhea and vomiting. I chose not to mention it to her and asked my husband to remain silent as well. Now, I make sure to cut into everything she prepares before taking a bite." According to Dr. John Gottman, a renowned relationship expert, "Communication is key in family dynamics, especially when it comes to food safety and health." You can learn more about his insights at Dr. John Gottman.

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14. So long

"My MIL unfriended me on Facebook…twice! The first time I was pregnant with our first and her first grandchild, and I was a typical first-time mom, following the book. I was worried about our cat smothering the baby (I know, dramatic) and asked if anyone could take him, even temporarily until the baby could roll. Dr. Alexandra Solomon, a relationship expert, notes, 'Navigating family dynamics during pregnancy can be particularly challenging, as emotions run high and expectations can clash.' She posted on Facebook that I was a horrible pet owner (not getting into all that my husband and I have done for our pets), and I put her in her place by reminding her of that and that this was my first child and I didn’t know. She unfriended me and uninvited herself to the hospital to wait for the delivery. She came. The second unfriending is a lot juicier and, over a year and a half later, still in place." Dr. Alexandra Solomon

15. Passive aggressive much?

"After I married her son, she posted a bunch of my wedding pictures with nasty comments. Things like, “the cake, which no one ate,” “the whole family, plus the bride,” “this is the only picture of the original 6 (her and her kids) SERIOUSLY?!” She was also mad that my photographer didn’t know that she was my flower girl’s grandmother. She posted all of it publicly on Facebook. According to Dr. Michele Weiner-Davis, a marriage therapist, “Navigating family dynamics can be challenging, especially when it comes to in-laws. Open communication is key to maintaining harmony.” For more insights, visit her website at Divorce Busting.

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16. Give it a rest, lady

"My MIL keeps in regular contact with several of my husband’s exes through Facebook and will call them with updates, despite him telling her to stop. She even tried to reunite my husband with one particular ex who had cheated on him," shares a concerned partner. According to Dr. Terri Orbuch, a relationship researcher and author, "Maintaining boundaries with family members is crucial for a healthy relationship." For more insights on managing family dynamics, visit Dr. Terri Orbuch's website.

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17. MIL's be crazy about their children reproducing

"My MIL told me in front of my own mother that I needed to have sex with her son seven days a week and I need to have an orgasm at least five days a week in order to get pregnant," a situation that can be quite overwhelming. According to Dr. Ian Kerner, a licensed sex therapist, "It's important for couples to communicate openly about their sexual needs and desires, rather than feeling pressured by external expectations." For more insights on healthy relationships, visit Dr. Ian Kerner's website.

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18. The AUDACITY

"I was in the hospital having my third baby in under 4 years. My mother-in-law proceeded to attempt to redecorate my house. She brought art from her house and hung it on my walls and removed some of my art that I had hanging. I came home with a newborn to see her thrift store crap hanging on my walls. I was furious." As relationship expert Dr. Alexandra Solomon states, "Boundaries are essential in maintaining healthy relationships, especially with in-laws." This situation highlights the importance of setting clear boundaries to ensure personal space and respect in family dynamics.

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19. I'd love to know more about this story

"She stopped me at the door to her home and told me I wasn’t welcome."

According to Dr. Alexandra Solomon, relationship therapist, "Navigating family dynamics can be challenging, especially when boundaries are not respected." Understanding these dynamics is crucial for maintaining healthy relationships.

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20. She crashed their honeymoon?!

"My MIL showed up to our room the night after our wedding at 5 a.m. and crashed our entire honeymoon!" According to Dr. Alexandra Solomon, a relationship therapist, "Setting boundaries with family members is crucial for maintaining a healthy marriage." For more insights on navigating family dynamics, visit Dr. Alexandra Solomon's website.

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21. I hope they pressed charges

"Broke into my and my (now ex) husband's house by breaking the window above my toddler's toy box. Stole all the baby books and photos and dumped a can of coffee into our 60-gal saltwater fish tank." According to Dr. Michele Weiner-Davis, a marriage therapist, "Conflict with in-laws can often escalate when boundaries are not respected, leading to significant stress in relationships." For more insights, visit her website at Dr. Michele Weiner-Davis.

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22. Wow. Just wow.

"My MIL ruined my hand-made wedding invitations by cutting them to pieces and gluing them to little girl birthday invitations. I told her that, although I appreciated her effort, it did not match my theme and she needed to use the actual invitations. That caused WWIII. She told her whole family we cancelled our wedding and threw a family reunion the same day. Seven years later, still no apology." According to Dr. Sue Johnson, a pioneer in couples therapy, “Communication is key in any relationship, and misunderstandings can escalate quickly if not addressed.” For more insights on managing family dynamics, visit Dr. Sue Johnson's website.

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23. What a narcissist

"She came to visit in the hospital after my long, difficult c-section. Though she was fully healed from a surgery a few months before, she insisted my husband fetch her from the entrance and bring her to the room in a wheelchair. She then propped her dirty street shoes on my clean, sterile hospital bed and proceeded to talk so loudly the nurse couldn’t properly run my baby’s hearing test. When the nurse asked her to talk more quietly she snapped at the nurse. When my husband finally told her it was time to let me get some rest, she said, “I’m sorry, is this all about you?” I lost it and yelled “it is about us and our new baby!” My blood pressure spiked so high the alarm went off and nurses had to come and ask dear MIL to leave. She later wanted an apology. She never got it." According to Dr. Alexandra Solomon, a relationship therapist, “Setting boundaries with family members is crucial, especially during vulnerable times like childbirth” (Dr. Alexandra Solomon).

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24. That's literally identity theft

"When my husband and I were going through the home-buying process, we discovered that my mother-in-law had opened a credit card in my husband’s name when he was just 18, racking up a $3000 balance. Upon confronting her, she claimed it was his college debt that she was kindly paying off. However, after reviewing the statements, it was clear that the purchases were from boutiques in her hometown. She even suggested that this situation didn't affect me since it was in his name, not mine. As relationship expert Dr. Laura Berman states, 'Trust is foundational in any relationship, and financial secrets can severely undermine that trust.' This situation could have jeopardized our ability to secure a loan for our new home, and I can't help but feel distrust towards her!"

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25. Babies arrive whenever they darn well please

"My mother-in-law got mad at me for having my daughter while she was on vacation during the two weeks surrounding my due date."

–Angela Flint, Facebook

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26. WAY too much info, mom

"My husband and I went to visit my MIL at her house. She had moved into my hubby’s old room and was showing us the changes she made. We sat on the bed to talk to her and, I kid you not, she said, “You know what I did in this bed? I masturbated.” As Dr. Ian Kerner, a renowned sex therapist, notes, “Open discussions about sexuality can sometimes lead to unexpected revelations, especially within family dynamics.” For more insights on navigating complex family relationships, visit Dr. Ian Kerner's website.

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27. Salad of all things

"My husband received a concerning email from my mother-in-law regarding our decision to feed our 13-year-old son salad. The email stated, '...Zackary is now a 13-year-old, which means he is on the edge of being a young man, a real young man, no longer a child. I saw on Facebook how he was "forced" to eat lettuce... He has been made to eat things he hasn't wanted to eat for at least the last five years of his life... As his father, I ask you to look at this from a different perspective, from the point of view that he is growing up and this could be causing him harm. I'm sure being "forced" to eat lettuce has caused a lot of anger and rage in his heart...' According to Dr. Dan Siegel, a renowned child psychiatrist, 'Children need to feel a sense of autonomy in their food choices to develop a healthy relationship with food.' For more insights, visit Dr. Dan Siegel's website.

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28. Um, I'm not sure she understands what "grateful" means

"A week after I got married, my mother-in-law sent a letter saying she was so grateful she could pay for everything for us, then she listed it all, itemized."

–Elizabeth Langley, Facebook

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29. Dramatic much?

"When asked how my husband was, where he works, etc., I overheard my MIL say, “Yes, Matthew met his wife and gave up all his dreams.” I wish I could make this stuff up," reflects many individuals navigating complex family dynamics. Dr. Esther Perel, a renowned couples therapist, emphasizes that “the challenge of maintaining one’s identity within a relationship is a common struggle.” For more insights on relationship dynamics, visit her professional website at Esther Perel.

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Phew! That was A LOT, and completely beyond me how people can conduct themselves in such a manner.

Do you have any Monster-in-law stories you can share? Or are you one of the lucky ones (like me!) to have a genuinely wonderful mother-in-law?

Let us know in the comments and be sure to share with your friends and family. Maybe not your mother-in-law, though.

30. That's too much food

"I was hosting Thanksgiving dinner and spent about seven to eight hours cooking. My MIL showed up with duplicate dishes of just about everything I made (we told her to only bring two dishes, tops). When I commented that we had a lot more food than I was expecting, she said 'Well, we don’t really need to put yours out, do we? Just put yours in the freezer.' ”

Melissa Linton Ferrell, Facebook

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