What's your mother-in-law story?

my story is more about mother as i have no mother-in-law. i was very pleased to read the article in the new york times in early august about the things your mother did to keep you believing you were middle class. my mother did something similar. she made extraordinary slip covers for old outdated chairs, drapes with heavy material when custom made were out of the question, coats, dresses and skirts for me, amazing mending of my brothers pants, sewed shirts for them. we made jelly and jam out of every scrap of fruit not eaten fresh-i never had store bought until i went to college. she used money her mother sent for us to pay for school trips, summer camps, football fees for my sports-minded brother and more. apparently my brothers never noticed because for christmas 2000 i made my nephew a scrapbook with swatch of material and a picture for each swatch and a short story about how my mother kept us feeling like we were in the same middle class as our neighbors. my nephew gave it to my brother who asked my mother if the things i said were true and she confirmed that they were. oddly, i dont thing my brother believed it even then and i dont know what he did with the scrapbook. wish i had kept it. i was pleased to find that my family was not the only one to scramble to be something they were not but wanted to be. thank you. p.s. we did not have wealthy grandparents so we all had to find other ways to pay for college but we did it.

my story is more about mother as i have no mother-in-law. i was very pleased to read the article in the new york times in early august about the things your mother did to keep you believing you were middle class. my mother did something similar. she made extraordinary slip covers for old outdated chairs, drapes with heavy material when custom made were out of the question, coats, dresses and skirts for me, amazing mending of my brothers pants, sewed shirts for them. we made jelly and jam out of every scrap of fruit not eaten fresh-i never had store bought until i went to college. she used money her mother sent for us to pay for school trips, summer camps, football fees for my sports minded brother and more. apparently my brothers never noticed because for christmas 2000 i made my nephew a scrapebook with s swatch of material and a picture for each swatch and a short story about how my mother kept us feeling like we were in the same middle class as our neighbors. my nephew gave it to my brother who asked my mother if the things i said were true and she confirmed that they were. oddly, i dont thing my brother believed it even then and i dont know what he did with the scrapbook. wish i had kept it. i was pleased to find that my family was not the only one to scramble to be something they were not but wanted to be. thank you. p.s. we did not have wealthy grandparents so we all had to find other ways to pay for college but we did it.

my story is more about mother as i have no mother-in-law. i was very pleased to read the article in the new york times in early august about the things your mother did to keep you believing you were middle class. my mother did something similar. she made extraordinary slip covers for old outdated chairs, drapes with heavy material when custom made were out of the question, coats, dresses and skirts for me andamazing mending of my brothers pants, and shirts ofr them. we made jelly and jam out of every scrap of fruit not eaten fresh-i never had store bought until i went to college. she used money her mother sent for us to pay for school trips, summer camps, football fees for my sports minded brother and more. apparently my brothers never noticed because for christmas 2000 i made my nephew a scrapebook with s swatch of material and a picture for each swatch and a short story about how my mother kept us feeling like we were in the same middle class as our neighbors. my nephew gave it to my brother who asked my mother if the things i said were true and she confirmed that they were. oddly, i dont thing my brother believed it even then and i dont know what he did with the scrapbook. wish i had kept it. i was pleased to find that my family was not the only one to scramble to be something they were not but wanted to be. thank you. p.s. we did not have wealthy grandparents so we all had to find other ways to pay for college but we did it.

my story is more about mother as i have no mother-in-law. i was very pleased to read the article in the new york times in early august about the things your mother did to keep you believing you were middle class. my mother did something similar. she made extraordinary slip covers for old outdated chairs, drapes with heavy material when custom made were out of the question, coats, sresses and skirts for me andamazing mending of my brothers pants, and shirts ofr them. we made jelly and jam out of every scrap of fruit not eaten fresh-i never had store bought until i went to college. she used money her mother sent for us to pay for school trips, summer camps, football fees for my sports minded brother and more. apparently my brothers never noticed because for christmas 2000 i made my nephew a scrapebook with s swatch of material and a picture for each swatch and a short story about how my mother kept us feeling like we were in the same middle class as our neighbors. my nephew gave it to my brother who asked my mother if the things i said were true and she confirmed that they were. oddly, i dont thing my brother believed it even then and i dont know what he did with the scrapbook. wish i had kept it. i was pleased to find that my family was not the only one to scramble to be something they were not but wanted to be. thank you. p.s. we did not have wealthy grandparents so we all had to find other ways to pay for college but we did it.

My mother,Howard's mother was right. She was a beautiful person, But unfortunate.

I am very blessed to have a wonderful mother-in-law!She has been very caring and supportive since the day I met her. Since my own parents lived far away, my in-laws have been my surrogate parents as well as superlative grandparents that lauded every accomplishment and attended every school play. My "was-band" and I split 12 years ago, but my mother-in-law has treated me with the same care & concern as ever. I lost my parents the same year I 'lost' my marriage. I feared losing my mother-in-law as well. But she has continued to give the same gracious & loving care she always had. She now has alsheimer's. She has been a model of what the ideal mother-in-law should be. I hope I can live up to her example in my new role as mother-in-law to my oldest son's wife.

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My mother-in-law, Adeline, was a kind, hard-working, uneducated woman who made the best of whatever she had. My husband's parents were tenant farmers and lived in a small two-story, tarpaper-covered house that didn't have running water or electricity until the mid 1960's. Adeline made it comfy and cozy, though, with flowers in an old coffee pot, green plants in ancient enameled pots, and pillow cases and curtains, etc. made from colorful flour sacks. When her son and I eloped, she told me, "That Robert is just like his father, Charlie. If you ever have any trouble with Robert, you come to me, and I'll be on your side!" (My Mother told Robert, "I know what Beverly is like. If you have any trouble with her, you come to me, and I'll be on your side.") Adeline had to quit school in the third grade and go to work as a maid for a doctor's family to help support you 11 brothers and sisters. She could barely read, but she taught herself to use a pedal sewing machine, and to crochet, and made many useful and decorative items ... covered clothes hangers, nylon net scrubbies for doing dishes, doilies, etc. She taught me to crochet, and to play several different card games. She was a great cook, though she owned only one cookbook. After she died, I inherited it, and I discovered that it was her repository for everything that was special to her ... cards and drawings her sons had made for her, newspaper clippings about family and friends, funeral programs, photos, special recipes she had clipped from Capper's Weekly, handwritten recipes from friends, three poems, and a tiny white book of Scriptures and religious quotes. That cookbook was the one thing in the house that was strictly hers. She knew that her husband and sons would never go through it, so it was where she put all her special, private things. One of these days, I'll pass it on, intact, to my niece, Adeline's only granddaughter. I know she'll appreciate the cookbook, and everything in it. It is a glimpse into Adeline's life. Adeline died almost 10 years ago from Alzheimer's. I miss her every day!

My husband is the only son in the family and he is my mother-in law's favorite. My mother in law is a very difficult person to live with. after our marriage, my husband and I stayed for two agonizing (for me) for two years. Shw would interfere in what I do, nothing that I do is correct for her and my husband does not say or do anything to comfort me or defend me. When I got pregnant, things change in my decision. I have to make him made a choice because I don't want my child to be touched or be with my judgemental mother-in-law. My husband came to his senses that he has his own family now and therefore should be cut under his mother's skirt. Finally, we move away fro my mother-in law 's scrutinizing eyes. Now, I have my own hoem to do what ever I want to do, however I manage it.

My mother in law helped after the birth of our first son. After a wonderfully helpful week I delivered her to Logan airport to catch an early morning plane home. She was not feeling well and filled an airsickness bag that she kept in her pocket book in the airport garage before she enplaned. Later that morning my wife called me at work to report that Mother had arrived home safely. "Mother is feeling much better and had a sweet roll on the plane. She could feel it on the roof of her mouth ... because she must have lost her upper plate when she vomitted into the bag in the garage." (Oooops I thought .) "She would like me to go over to the garage and see if I can find the plate?" I ventured. "If you can ... " was the timid reply. My boss gave me his incredulous permission ... I went ... I searched ... I found and I am forever her favorite son-in law. (I am also her only son in law.)

Thank God my MIL taught my husband to SIT and pee. No filthy toilets. That is the good part. The bad part is she berated my son for not eating baked beans because it was a waste of money (what? .05 cents?) then she took a tizzy and said she was cancelling the rest of our trip (we were camping) and wouldn't talk to my son or hug him or anything; even when he cried. Cold hearted Bitch. She still hasn't talked to me or the kids. There was a lot more that happened on this camping trip from hell...that made her feel justified to lash out. No wonder my husband can't poop in a public toilet...it's all clear to me now. Thank you for this opportunity to air my inner anger. Of course, this is only the tip of the ice-berg. She used to be so sweet, now she is just a bitter old woman.

My mother-in-law is not only my husband's mom she is our neighbor. From day one she has had resentment towards me that has now spread to our children. The best story I can tell you about is that at Christmas time she bakes lots of cookies and afterwards freezes them. Then 2 months before the next Christmas, she gives them to our family to eat. Needless to say they are no longer very tasty.

My mother-in-law is such a piece of work that it's hard to find only one story. Her son and I are married for 20 years now. I used to give my mother-in-law photos of the kids all the time - school photos, sports photos, etc. I saw an empty picture frame at her house and I pointed out it was the perfect frame for my latest school photo of her granddaughter, my daughter. So I put the photo in the frame. The next time I was at her house, the frame was empty again and the photo of my daughter was hidden away in some drawer somewhere. I no longer give her photos of the kids. Another time, my husband stopped over her house with our 8 year old son to say hello. She almost never sees the children. She would not let them in the house because she was too busy she said. She didn't want to be interrupted from listening to her religious tapes over the telephone.

I don't use the "in-law" description because a very wise young woman (who married my middle son) said it didn't describe our relationship. She preferred "mother-in-love" and "daughter-in-love," so that's how we always described ourselves. I gave birth to three sons. She is the daughter I carried in my heart, if not in my womb. She was sweet, funny, mischievous, intelligent, and the most spiritually grounded person I have ever known. She remains an example to me, and to all who knew her. She died when she was only 29, after a long and courageous battle with a brain tumor. Yes, her death caused unbelievable pain and agony for my son, my husband and me, and our entire family, but I wouldn't have traded knowing her for anything on earth. Her presence in my life was a precious gift for which I am still grateful. Whoever said "It is better to have loved and lost, than never to have loved at all" was spot on. I was also blessed with a fantastic MIL; she was a wonderful cook, incredible seamstress, and doting grandmother. When I was pregnant with our first child, she sewed gorgeous maternity outfits for me to wear for work, leisure, etc. We had very little money, so her lovingly sewn clothes dressed me in style we never could have afforded otherwise! When our son was born, Lena was the one who taught me how to change a diaper, burp, bathe, and care for a baby, without being afraid I'd "break" him. I'm one VERY lucky woman.

My Mother-In-Law was a head strong very opinionated woman. No one was good enough for her boy. After waiting 47 years my husband was and still is a terrific man. His MaMa created a treasure so I see her as the mean, no pun intended to the end!

Back in the early days of my marriage, I was often left to fend for myself by a drug-addicted husband. This wouldn't seem so bad on the surface if not for the fact that I had a two-year old daughter to feed - and no money to do it with - and I was pregnant with my second child. In those dark days, my mother in law really stepped up by taking me to my doctors' appointments and buying groceries for my family. Living so far away from my own mother at the time and with no car to visit her, I really began to rely on my mother in law for everything. And even though the marriage didn't work out, I still have a great relationship with her. To this day, we get together as often as we can and she always does a little something extra for my daughters at holidays and their birthdays. She is one of those truly special ladies that everyone should be blessed to know.

Hello -- not a mother-in-law story, but a "fun fact." Men were asked the question, "If you, your wife, and your mother were in a lifeboat, and you could save only one of them, who would you save?" American men usually answered "wife" while Korean men usually answered "mother" -- why mother? "Because I can get another wife, but I can't get another mother." Korean men are real mama's boys, whereas American men have feelings about their mothers closer in spirit to Eugene O'Neill. I'd save my wife b/c she's a great cook, and feeds me three meals a day!

My mother-in-law used to babysit for several other kids in her family, but hardly ever for us. But then when she wanted something done at her house, she always asked us first. We'd spend our vacations, fixing stuff at their house!

My mother-in-law is the best! She has a heart of gold and is known as Saint Virginia in our small town. One time she told me about her friend, Melba, who had prayed for her children's spouses since they were babies. She prayed in advance that her children would find loving spouses and be blessed by God with wonderful marriages. My mother-in-law looked at me and said, "I never thought to pray that prayer but God answered it for me anyway." I have tears in my eyes and a smile on my face. I thank God for blessing me with such a precious mother-in-law even though I never thought to ask for one.

My mother in law had given my boyfriend some of her furniture and kitchen items before I met him, some things such as the dining room set we have kept and not replaced. Every single time his mother comes over she says " Oh it's just like being over to my home with all of my things here. My dining table and hutch look so good, oh and my table clothe and dishes" The "MY things" a really so annoying after 8 years. Every time she says it I want to voice my strong opinion to her yet have not done so to keep the peace. I hate people who will give you things with a price tag to go with it.

Whenever my huisband was out of town, my mother-in-law did not invite me to dinner even though she had invited all the other relatives. This happened several times. One evening, my husband was in a car accident that had totaled our car. He called me to say to get his dad to come with me to the bus station in Detroit as the road conditions were very bad due to the snowstorm. So after I called, I went over to discover that she was having one of those dinners that all the relataives were at but me. My sister-in-law told me later that she had been doing this on a regular basis and has asked her why I wasn't included. I don't remember the answer but in those days my mother-in-law were not pals to say the least.

Whenever my huisband was out of town, my mother-in-law did not invite me to dinner even though she had invited all the other relatives. This happened several times. One evening, my husband was in a car accident that had totaled our car. He called me to say to get his dad to come with me to the bus station in Detroit as the road conditions were very bad due to the snowstorm. So after I called , I went over to discover that she was having one of those dinners that all the relataives were at but me. My sister-in-law told me later that she had been doing this on a regular basis and has asked her why I wasn't included. I don't remember the answer but in those days my mother-in-law were not pals to say the least.

Whenever my huisband was out of town, my mother-in-law did notninvite me to dinner even though she had invited all the other relatives. This happened several times. One evening, my husband was in a car accident that had totaled our car. He called me to say to get his dad to come with me to the bus station in Detroit as the road conditions were very bad due to the snowstorm. So after I called , I went over to discover that she was having one of those dinners that all the relataives were at but me. My sister-in-law told me later that she had been doing this on a regular basis and has asked her why I wasn't included. I don't remember the answer but in those days my mother-in-law were not pals to say the least.

The dear woman is now dead. I paid extra for the padlock on her coffin. She once came to visit my husband and me (we had been married about 2 years and fortunately lived far away) and brought me a case of Slim Fast as a gift. I weighed about 135 pounds at the time!

My MIL has never liked me. She is always complaining about me to my SIL. She tells her that she isn't comfortable in my house because "it's always filthy." The best line from her was when she told my SIL that our newest baby was "the ugliest baby she has ever seen!"

My MIL has never liked me. She is always complaining about me to my SIL. She tells her that she isn't comfortable in my house because "it's always filthy." The best line from her was when she told my SIL that our newest baby was "the ugliest baby she has ever seen!"

My mother-in-law was a very dignified lady but loved her children (and grandchildren) very much. She was a great believer in not saying anything bad about anyone or anything. She used to play bridge with her lady friends and the person who's house the game was held at was to serve lunch. At one of the luncheons, the hostess, trying to be very sophisticated, served Borscht for lunch. When my mother-in-law told me about it, all she said was, "Nobody asked for the recipe." That one sentence said it all! It's been years since her death but I still miss that woman. Diane Strouss

I gave my mother in law what I thought was a very pretty silver pendant for Xmas. 2 years later I was visiting her and she handed me a box and said I don't know where this came from but I know you love trashy jewelery so take this. Inside the box was the silver pendant I had given her 2 years previously. I am a saint because all I said was thank you.

I was 19 when we eloped. Don't think my in-laws were very happy because they wanted my husband to continue on to college. But my mother-in-law welcomed me into their family with open arms. Madeline is a wonderful lady and I would walk over hot coals for her. She treats me just like I'm one of her daughters and I love her as much as I loved my own mother. She gave me my 1st cookbook, would babysit at a moments notice, told me hilarious stories about my husband's childhood & family, we shop, lunch and vacation together often. She's a great example of a loving, caring mother-in-law, hope I have followed in her footsteps.

My husband and I married right out of university and since neither of us had any money (and no jobs) and since my parents would not be able to finance a wedding, we eloped. My husband's mother was less than pleased - she did not speak to me for three months and refused to acknowledge my existance. I later found out that she did not really hate me - she was just royally ticked off that she had provided lavish weddings for my husband's three older sisters and she was looking forward to enjoying a wedding that she didn't have to pay for.

Put me in the "Motherin-law was a saint" category. She was wonderful to me in every way from day one. Never was there any competition. My biggest gift from her was the fact that she was a TERRIBLE COOK. Thus, everything I cooked for my husband was "delicious". Thanks for writing about such an interesting and universally significant subject. God bless mother-in-laws. I am now one and try to remember all that I was taught by mine...be kind and helpful, not critical and competitive.

I could tell lots of stories but I will start with the one where I was visiting and she and some others were discussing teaching. She told me middle school was the easier grade to teach. Everyone knows that. When I objected (I am a middle school teacher) she proceeded to redicule me and tell me how dumb I am in front of all her friends.. I will tell you another. One time when my hyperactive daughter was about 14 monthes old we were visiting and she would not speak to me for the whole vacation becasue I would not leave my daughter with her alone. Now on the surface it would appear I am wrong but she is blind and my daughter was an escape artist.

My mother-in-law has disliked me since the day she first laid eyes on me. I was very fit when I married her son. After I had my babies I gained weight and my mother-in-law pounced! She should no better than to think I would be caught dead in her style of clothing, but she was so gleeful that I was up to her size she couldn't help but hand off her "fat" clothes to me. I thought this was suspicous and that there was a gleam in her eyes when she presented the clothing to me and my suspicions were confirmed when her sister (my husband's aunt) told me that her sister told her that me being in her size range was just desserts for all the times's I paraded around thinking I was "all that." My mother-in-law really takes the cake (and probably eats it all too)! :)

I never met my mother-in-law; she died several years before I met her only son. But when Richard had turned 30, his mother sent him a beautifully wrapped gift box ... inside of which were two apron strings. He still has it. I'm sorry I never got to meet Dorothy; I'm sure I would have loved her.

My mother-in-law and I butted heads from the get go. However, in 1994 when my own mother unexpectedly passed away, she and the rest of my in-laws were there for me in a way that I could never imagined. She was the first one "on the scene" when my mother died, babysat for our 2 year old, cooked and cleaned for my father, and helped with all that was involved the week of the visitation and funeral. I don't know how I would've got through the nightmare of dealing with my mother's death, had it not been for her and the family. Even though her son and I are divorced today, I still feel she is an integral part of MY family.

My mother-in-law is wonderful as a MIL, not so much as a mother. She's always accepted me, even though when my husband and I met, he was still married to someone else. But as a mother, she had a drug problem, she wasn't always there for my husband, and now she lies about her past. It's hard to reconcile that sweet, accepting person with the lying and the neglectfulness, but I guess we're all a bundle of contradictions.

From Day One, my monster-in-law always called me Blondie and never Wendy. She wasn't happy that her "Sonny" was seeing a girl that had been divorced after a very brief marriage. After 14 yrs of marriage and 3 beautiful children our marriage was heading for disaster and my monster-in-law, whom had finally accepted me, told me to pack up the 3 kids and leave her son. I did, that was 10 yrs ago, and she hasn't spoken to me since, not even to ask about her grandchildren.

I would love to give you a "saint" story, but the sinner sticks out (and hurts) a little more. There is a tradition in my husband's family that the family pictures are taken. "Only the family," as they say. I don't care much for me, but how about my daughter, one of only two grandchildren?

My MIL always blamed me for making her son go into the Air Force. It was an attempt to get him out of the small town, which he really wanted to do but was afraid to do due to his mom's wrath. I was always the VIZEN bad girl wife. Then when we delivered a baby girl instead of a boy, she knew I was indeed a devil who wasn't fit for her "little boy".

She said " No other women was worthy of one of her Harris';but, me. She wanted only me to have the big white house and apology parties for the push problem.

When I met my girl friend my mother had passed away. When she became my wife my mother-in-law stepped in and I was happy. She is a good person and is alway there for me. I can talk to her about anthing and I do. She has taught me diligence and perseverence. She has also taught me to cook and to survive in the household. I dont know whereI would be without my mother-in-law, Nancy

I was 18 when I married my husband. Our first Christmas together at his families Christmas party, he, his brothers and the brothers wives all got money and a book. Me? I got a set of 10 chidren's LITTLE GOLDEN BOOKS.

My mother-in-law was the most accomplished hostess and cook and baker. Having been taught by her own mother, she had a natural talent and ability. When I married her son my domestic skills were absolutely hopeless. She wanted me to ask her for help in this area and I steadfastly refused. I acquired my own interest in cooking by testing recipes in a cookbook she bought for me. When I was able to master a few that were not too complex I invited her over sot hat she could render judgment. She was domineering and extremely fussy about homemaking skills and I know that I never measured up. She was pleasantly surprised with the repast that I prepared and proceeded to tell me what I had to improve upon. I did appreciate the constructive criticism and think of her wise words now when I plan a dinner party.

I married right out of high school. Was very poor, just starting out. We had to buy furniture and other essentials. Did not have much money for Christmas presents that year. My mother-in-law (who did not drive) took the bus to visit us. Brought me a pair of my favorite fuzzy slippers and some homemade cookies. My old slippers had worn out and I didn't have the heart to throw them away. This happened over 32 years ago. I never forgot her generousity that year when I needed it most. She has passed on but will always be remembered in my heart.

I was the most fortunate mother-in-law because I had two wonderful daughters-in-law whom I adored. If I could have picked daughters-in-law, I would have picked these two. By the time my youngest son got married, his wife completed our family as though she was a missing puzzle piece. However, last year after 14 years of marriage and 2 children, my oldest (step)son left the wife we all loved and now my son is divorcing his wife of less than two years (even though they dated for 10 years). I haven't met one other person who had the types of relationships I had with these girls and I'm so sad. But I am staying close to them as long as they want to. I still consider these two wonderful women my daughters-in-law and I love them. I look around me at all the women who can't stand their sons' wives and all I can think is what a waste.

This is a test posting, but please feel free to add your own mother-in-law story!