December 14, 2025 at 8:15 pm

She Found Out Her Mother-In-Law Was Toxic And Cunning, So Now She Needs The Courage To Keep Her Away From Her Kid

by Liz Wiest

woman holding a baby up against the sunset

Source: Pexels/Reddit

The toxic MIL is so common at this point that it almost feels like a stereotype.

That being said, how would you handle having to deal with one? One woman recently vented about hers on Reddit while seeking advice. Here are the details.

AITAH If I tell my Husband that his Mother doesn’t need to spend time with our baby?

I (F37) and my Husband (M38) have been married for two years now.

We have been together for 9 years, in total part of which was a long-distance relationship.

In all those years I have made several attempts to build a relationship with his mother (60F).

Long-distance and an involved MIL? She must really love this guy.

When he and I began dating long distance she and I had a kind relationship.

We spent time with each other, which was like spending time with my DH by proxy.

We would go to lunch and go shopping and hang out on several occasions binge watching tv.

That sounds like an ideal scenario.

The first rift happened when He and I decided to meet up for dinner to celebrate a dating milestone.

Since we were long distance, this meant a lot to me and I wanted things to be perfect.

He would only be able to stay over 1 night so as not to be selfish I invite his mom and stepdad to dine with us.

That’s really going above and beyond.

She then proceeded to invite 4 other couples without telling me or him.

I found out on the day of.

Of course, the restaurant was unable to accommodate such a large party in our reservation.

Wow, shocker.

So, my Husband told his Mom, that this night is supposed to be special and that He would not ruin my plans and we ended up dining alone.

Since that date, she and I have no longer been on good terms.

When the pandemic occurred, we decided to cohabitate, and I moved.

While I tried to engage in conversation it always shifted to money or some random reason my husband should send it.

Many, many red flags here.

After one particularly nasty email I quit reaching out completely.

He and I dated a couple more years and got married, of course she was late and delayed the ceremony.

So in one last ditch effort to rekindle our relationship or at least be cordial MIL and I decided to talk at least twice a month by phone.

This is far beyond the average level of effort.

I have severe anxiety and the thought of a prolonged phone conversation made my stomach churn.

But I kindly agreed hoping this would fix things and put us back on a path of mutual respect.

So, for 1.5hrs twice a month I called, and updated my MIL on all the things Me and her son had eaten, done, seen and went through at work.

You’d think any MIL would be over the moon about that.

These calls went on for 6 months before our next in person visit.

Feeling happiness and joy that She and I were once again buddies, I even purchased a small gift for her.

We arrived at her home and rang the doorbell, anticipating hugs and smiles.

Something seems fishy.

She indeed was joyful and invited us in.

My Husband gave a side hug and excused himself to the restroom.

However, when I went to hug her, she turned her head and walked off back to her lazy boy.

I was gutted.

This MIL sounds like a piece of work.

It was all fake.

I shrieked, “Wow Really?!”

To that she had zero response.

Now that we have our new bundle of joy she wants to visit and spend time with her grandchild.

Of course she does.

However I feel that the bonding ship has left the port.

She’ll see my baby on the rare occasions that I visit and definitely never alone.

She had her chance to be kind instead she’s proven that she is malicious and calculated and I do not want that energy near my child.

Seems like a fair enough boundary. Let’s see if Reddit agrees.

The comments section rallied in the original poster’s favor.

Screenshot 2025 10 29 at 5.59.08 PM She Found Out Her Mother In Law Was Toxic And Cunning, So Now She Needs The Courage To Keep Her Away From Her Kid

Many empathized deeply with her.

Screenshot 2025 10 29 at 5.59.36 PM She Found Out Her Mother In Law Was Toxic And Cunning, So Now She Needs The Courage To Keep Her Away From Her Kid

Others suggested practical tactics.

Screenshot 2025 10 29 at 6.00.50 PM She Found Out Her Mother In Law Was Toxic And Cunning, So Now She Needs The Courage To Keep Her Away From Her Kid

Some asked important questions.

Screenshot 2025 10 29 at 6.01.29 PM She Found Out Her Mother In Law Was Toxic And Cunning, So Now She Needs The Courage To Keep Her Away From Her Kid

And some brought some hilarious sarcasm.

Screenshot 2025 10 29 at 6.02.21 PM She Found Out Her Mother In Law Was Toxic And Cunning, So Now She Needs The Courage To Keep Her Away From Her Kid

Respect is, and always will be, a two-way street.

If you thought that was an interesting story, check this one out about a man who created a points system for his inheritance, and a family friend ends up getting almost all of it.