Sorry, I can’t keep arguing about all this. This thread isn’t about you or me.
If you want to see something in my wording, then go for it.
This thread has now got nonsensical, so I’m out.🙂
Gransnet forums
Estrangement
Putting myself on the chopping block ...
(292 Posts)GNHQ have commented on this thread. Read here.
Hi Gransnet,
I have been a member for some time now and, although not a gran myself, I am an older mum (early/mid 40s) to 2 little people (toddler and baby). Partner and I are very happy and settled in our relationship and our kids are happy and thriving.
For context - after giving birth to my first, it felt like MIL was trying to take over my motherhood experience and it negatively impacted me and my ability to bond with my new baby. I had waited 9 months to meet the child who I had grown inside me and carried for all that time and it felt like MIL became quite territorial over my baby (my mum passed before my children were born) which created a lot of resentment.
Since then, both partner and I had an open yet polite and respectful conversation with MIL on how her actions had impacted me and my experience as I was pregnant again and didn't want the same experience the second time round.
The response I got made her out to be the victim, it was extremely passive aggressive and she was throwing in example of things that had happened to her throughout her life that had nothing to do with me or baby. She then made the decision to cut me off but she still wanted to see her son and our child, just without me.8
Anyway MIL has not spoken to me for a year (I have reached out a few times) and she has now been stopped having access to our 2 children.
My kids are young and kids do not develop autobiographical memory before the age of 4/5 so my eldest will never remember her being around and she never met my youngest.
I joined this site during the periods where I was reaching out and wanting resolution as I hoped that, by looking at others experiences, it would help me understand her train of thought but now I am completely done with her.
Please, for anyone estranged, feel free to ask me anything so that I may attempt to provide some context from a DIL's point of view.
I will be completely honest anbout my experience and not sugar coat anything but at the same time I will do my upmost to be kind and respectful so I just ask the same from anyone commenting.
I just feel like if communication was more open and everyone was willing to look more objectively at their own behaviour (as well as being mindful that things are different now to years ago) then many (not all) of these situations could be avoided.
All my partner and I wanted was to build our own little family together and there has been so much drama that, in my mind, was completely unnecessary. I may ask questions in response but please understand this is because I'm still trying to understand why someone would want to handle a situation in the way it has been handled.
Interesting wording there
VioletSky
Do you believe my story is genuine?
As far as I recall, (and I could have it wrong), you felt your mother to be abusive, so you estranged her and some siblings?
So, as far as you’re concerned, that’s factual. I’ve taken it as true, but, as I say, I could have remembered it wrong.
But, I honestly don’t go on other estrangement forums, so if you’ve been batting back and forth saying that “it brings you joy to get posters here going”, I haven’t seen it.
But, this thread isn’t about you or me anyway.
Do you believe my story is genuine?
VioletSky
Everything the OP has said has been a response to this forum, she posted about us elsewhere after joining gransnet...
This is what concerns me
Is that really the reaction any of us would want another person to have?
I think the OPs story is genuine and don't have any reason to doubt it. It has been shared before, before her reaction to this forum
Well, as she posted about “getting them going”, etc as per I’mnotahypocrite, , I’m not sure what was posted when.
But, fine, if you think it’s genuine, then that’s your opinion.
If others think not, then that’s their opinion.
I don’t know her in real life.🤷♀️
Everything the OP has said has been a response to this forum, she posted about us elsewhere after joining gransnet...
This is what concerns me
Is that really the reaction any of us would want another person to have?
I think the OPs story is genuine and don't have any reason to doubt it. It has been shared before, before her reaction to this forum
VioletSky
That's what I am saying DL, we all have opinions but to claim your opinion/perspective to be a "fact" is a step too far
I have always been the only one in this situation willing to apologise and take responsibility for engaging in heated arguments and I've completely healed that part of myself. So given my experiences here (and some of them deeply hurt me at the time) I think that there aren't many of us who can stand in judgement over the OP
Well, obviously, some things are facts. If I said I’m a Londoner, which I am, that’s a fact. It can’t be argued.
But, if a poster posts with their problem, we all take what we do from the post, and advise, according to opinion.
I’m only talking genuine posts here, obviously.
This thread isn’t about you (or me). So, apologies, about past events, are irrelevant. .
It’s just about different people giving different views on the OP.
eddiecat78
VioletSky you seem to be saying that nothing can be factual! My ex-dil claimed I had said things that I hadn't said. This a fact - not just my opinion
I make no comment on your personal situation that is between you and your ex dil
If that's your truth that is your truth but we also do know that memories, especially at times of strong emotions, can be tricky which is why I am not typing "no I am speaking facts".
Perceptions vary
But if I am saying many things that were said at that time deeply hurt me, what reason do you have not to believe me?
AEC Thread support threads
Gransnet at that time advised me to set up our own support only threads because every thread started by adult children descended into an argument. They could have been left alone very easily, they were not, it was chaos. But anyone is able to read them and see who took something from us that I desperately tried to keep supportive and a place that those estranged at older ages could use here
VioletSky you seem to be saying that nothing can be factual! My ex-dil claimed I had said things that I hadn't said. This a fact - not just my opinion
That's what I am saying DL, we all have opinions but to claim your opinion/perspective to be a "fact" is a step too far
I have always been the only one in this situation willing to apologise and take responsibility for engaging in heated arguments and I've completely healed that part of myself. So given my experiences here (and some of them deeply hurt me at the time) I think that there aren't many of us who can stand in judgement over the OP
That’s what forums are. Everyone posts their own perspectives and opinions, and the OP reads and listens to what s/he wants to.
It’s not arguing, it’s opinions. Bit like politics. 🙂
Well, I will continue to share my own thoughts and perspectives and you can continue to disagree Smileless but arguing with me is your choice not mine
Thank you VS but I have plenty of positive relationships so don't need lessons on how to cultivate them.
What I have previously posted as being factual isn't my opinion or perspective, it is fact.
Smileless a fundamental truth is that no one gets to place their opinion or perspective above another's and state that only they speak fact...
This is a helpful thing to understand when it comes to cultivating positive relationships
There seems to be a mix up NotSaghetti I know Mamasperspective isn't a new poster and have said so. I thought you were referring to EllaMayo.
Smileless2012
I must have done NotSpaghetti, where are they because nothing's come up on the GN search?
If you put Mamasperspective into the search box you will see loads of different threads she's commented on - what to buy for a baby, something about mother of the bride/groom outfits, mothers day, time with grandbaby, etc.
The one thread I remember best she was worried about going no contact so it's directly related to this thread.
BUT that said, she is definitely not a new poster.
You are VS, as we all are but that doesn't mean you wont be disagreed with.
It would be so lovely if I were allowed my own opinions from my own perspective
That's what "space" means
that should be 'I must not have done'
I must have done NotSpaghetti, where are they because nothing's come up on the GN search?
eddiecat78
It says a lot about someone's character when they choose to post for the first time just to be unpleasant
I'm sorry you felt my post was unpleasant eddiecat78. I realize it sounded forthright but I take my lead from other posters on this site and call it how I see it
It wasn't her first posting on Gransnet - maybe you didn't notice the other(s)?
Posting for the first time to argue on any separate thread will show a negative facet to a person's character. It not what is said but how it's said.
Well if I'd had such a negative experience on a particular online site, I wouldn't go back. The OP has posted several times on GN since her 'negative experience' and prior to this thread.
I certainly wouldn't go on to goad those who were supposed to be responsible for my negative experience, expecting a "tirade of abuse" and entertaining others on another site with my exploits.
Who is having to fight and argue to be allowed any space here VS?
I find it very strange behaviour TBH.
Well I suppose it sets the standard eddie.
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