My new mother in law

How terrible. What does your husband say about all of this?

My MiL was a cow. I couldn't do anything right. Eventually, I had as little as possible to do with her (still more than I wanted). It would have been better if my husband had taken my side a bit more but...

Yes I would do the same thing as Esspee when your husband is back in the room call his mother on her comment. Don't let it all get out of hand though, try to limit the time you spend with her.

When your husband returns to the room just repeat what she said to you for clarification. Would make an interesting conversation. Or of course you could take the moral high ground as already suggested.

My mil was often hurtful and bitchy. So I feel for you greatly.

Just make sure your husband supports you and bear it until you may need to refuse to see her again. I had to do this after about 15 years of bullying. It was such a relief. Finally all was forgiven, but it took quite a while.

I do hope I am not being negative but I did find it hurtful as you do.

She loved to tell me how petite, blond and pretty the former wife was. I am quite tall and dark haired. To be honest it was jealousy on her part as we have always been a loving couple.

Next time your MIL makes a hurtful remark, I would say, "That wasn't very nice." and leave it at that.

Be polite when you see her, give reasonable but not expensive presents and try not to be alone with her for too long.

Don't complain to your husband too much, after all she is his mother, but you could ask him whether making personal remarks is considered all right in his family, as it is considered rude in yours.

Standards differ and we have to find some way of dealing with that. My husband and his family consider personal remarks as quite all right. I found it hard to adjust to.

On the other hand, my mother who had always insisted that making unkind remarks was wrong, started to do so in her latter years. We ignored what we could, but told her quietly that some of her remarks were hurtful. She took no notice, so don't expect your MIL to change.

When it is her birthday perhaps she would like some soaps in old wrapping paper!
For some mothers nobody will ever be good enough for their sons, hope you can rise above the nastiness for your husband's sake.

Lessismore I now have all down my front after reading your comment!

Some soap can be extremely expensive.
Perhaps your DH will share the money with you, OP.

When you say it's her son's second marriage to me do you mean you were married to him, got divorced, changed your minds then got married again?
If so, you must have known what she was like from the first time round?

No, don’t cut her out. Your husband may resent it. Just be nice and say how much you love the soaps. When it’s her birthday give her a nice gift and smile. Rise above her horrible behaviour it’s not worth the aggravation. But I would say something to her if she makes a nasty comment.

Try challenging her when she says something nasty.
" MiL, why do you feel the need to be so nasty?"
When husband returns say "Your mother, in your absence, said "Xxxxxxxxx". then turn to her again and say "why do you feel the need to be so nasty?"
Calling her out a few times should hopefully get her to pull her head in.
Good luck.

A wicked, wicked thought has just occurred to me.

When she comments about your weight, say "Oh but (insert husband's name) loves me with a bit of meat on, he finds its very arousing!"

My ex husbands mum didn't particularly like me from the start. Yes it hurts but try and accept her for what she is. Expect nothing. I always treated her with respect.
What did hurt was when she died a few years ago and left her other grandchildren £2,000 each. Our 3 children got nothing!
You can't win 'em all.

To be fair why shouldn’t she give her son a more substantial birthday gift than you ? There are no rules to say she has to gift equally after all .

Maybe it’s a test if you’re the last in a long line of DiLs ?

The soaps may not have floated your boat but at least you got a gift .

If you don’t like the way she talks to you - say so ! You don’t have to be mean or rude but be straightforward .

As Septimia suggested----don't make an enemy of her.

I had the loveliest MIL on this earth ! Never seen one like her since.

I would be the better person and always be kindness itself to her, but I would also practice ways of putting her firmly (in a kind way, I like to think) into her place.

What do you do when she makes the hurtful remarks ? I would turn on my stare and ask her to refrain then tune out and ignore her , Or you could burst into loud sobs until OH comes in and asks what on earth is going on , or you could stay at home/have an urgent appointment elsewhere /take to your bed when OH visits her

Take the moral high ground - treat her the way you'd like to be treated (i.e properly!) and ignore the way she treats you. Buy her decent presents, but nothing very expensive. Avoid situations where she can behave unkindly to you, if possible.

What a strange and intriguing tale.

How many DIL's has seen seen off with her crappy soap?