Oh dear, this situation is really upsetting you. First thing to do is calm down and breathe. Take some time out for yourself. Have a cuppa (and cake maybe) somewhere nice. Then reassess the situation. Perhaps the times your mil and your husband and children can be organised so that you are happy with the arrangements and your mil is not in your space all the time. Maybe a weekly dinner at mil’s (haha, she can do the cooking) and drop the children off to her for babysitting whilst you go about your errands. Hope it all works out for you. Just breathe first.

I have the opposite problem … the self absorbed mother in law …. “no I don’t want to hear about you latest boyfriend”

My in laws are in another country. But if they were here and tried getting between me and my husband I would be letting him know how I felt.

Everyone needs boundaries and that includes in-laws; respect goes both ways. I would suggest you discuss it with your husband and he discusses it with them. It is best if it comes from him.

Take a BIG deep breath. I’ve a similar problem to my Inlaws. The are stuck in the last century & even gave me a nervous breakdown which put me in hospital for 6 weeks (my mum had just died, then it was Xmas, then our don had brain surgery all the while mother-in-law was telling me if I didn’t learn to keep the house clean or bother hubby with dramas when he got home from work he’d leave me!) Since then I’ve learnt to just grit my teeth & ignore their jibes/put downs BUT I am finally getting through to my wonderful hubby that their ideas are NOT the best for our family he’s starting to see it too. So try to be patient & if you really can’t cope talk to a councilllor or GP & grit their advice.

I’m sorry to hear this. Have you told your husband how strongly you feel?