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Moms and Maids

(vent) FMIL drama, advice please!

So, I've always gotten along with my Fiance's mom.  I don't particularly like her due to some of the choices she's made but for the sake of my fiance, I try my best to keep  the peace.  She makes Jordan feel guilty if we can't make it to some of his side of the family's events.  She also talks in a really high, condescending voice to her kids and their significant others. I always feel like she is talking to us like we're still children and it drives me and my future sister-in-law crazy. Because his parents are divorced, we have to try to make it to three of every holiday, which obviously doesn't work out all the time. Our families are all spread out around Iowa, so we try to make it to my holiday and then one of his.  I guess she probably doesn't like that we make it to my family's holiday and not always hers because we have to split up his mom and dad's side.  (we're closer to my parents and his dad because they actually make an effort to see us, whereas if my fiance and I didn't go them, we would never see them)

When we got engaged at the beginnning of September I told my fiance that when we took pictures at the wedding, I did not want to take pictures of our entire distant famillies (meaning cousins, aunts, uncles) because I don't think they look good.  I said I wanted only formal pictures of our immediate families and grandparents.  He casually mentioned this to his mother. At Thanksgiving this year, my mom wanted a picture of my grandmother, who is 84, and her kids and grandkids. We very rarely have all my grandma's kids and grandkids at Thanksgiving so we took a huge family picture.  My mom then posted it to facebook. My FMIL posts on the picture, "I thought no whole family pictures at the wedding?!? 'splain please!" My mom of course had no idea what was going on and asks me about it. After I read it, I called my fiance and told him to speak to his mom about what she meant. She said she was teasing my fiance about what he told her before. If she was just teasing, why would she post it on my mom's facebook picture? And why wouldn't she tag my fiance in the post? I am used to getting these kind of messages from my FMIL, but now she's brought my mom into it. I'm really offended.  When she does it to me I let it go, but now that she has brought my mom into it, I can't help but be offended.. 

Maybe this is just the straw that broke the camel's back between us, but now I wish we were doing a destination wedding because then she and her husband wouldn't be able to afford to make it.  She's not offering to pay for anything and takes every opportunity to ridicule my plans, so why should she have any say on what professional pictures are taken? My fiance has talked to her about it on several occasions, but she always brushes him off. I think he's frustrated, but he wants her approval too. What can I do to keep the peace?  Just not give her wedding details and block her from posting on my and my family's facebook pages? Do I just let it go?  Sorry this is so long, but I don't know what to do.  Please help!

Re: (vent) FMIL drama, advice please!

  • em01092em01092 member
    1000 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Definitely stop sharing your plans with her. Keep wedding talk off of FB, or limit what information she can view on your page. 

    I sort of see why she might be a little offended, but IMO your grandma is different than her 2nd cousin (example). Grandparents are often a part of the wedding processional and listed in the program. Aunts/uncles and cousins generally are not, unless they are members of the WP. 

    Since she is not paying for photography (or anything for that matter, as you say) she does not get to decide on what shots are taken. Be sure you get the basics, like her and her son and any others you can manage that you think she would like.

    I would just drop the subject. If she brings anything up to you about it, explain what I said about grandparents in the processional, or have your FI address the issue. 
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  • allyssa2010allyssa2010 member
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    LOL I meant the picture doesn't look good, not the people.  Both of our families are large, even if we were to take one side at a time, it would still be too many people and would be hard to tell who everyone is in a picture.  It's our wedding, not a family reunion.
  • em01092em01092 member
    1000 Comments
    edited December 2011
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_moms-maids_vent-fmil-drama-advice-please?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:357Discussion:e910374e-7eff-48d6-93f8-380ae26547edPost:1c0a2f4c-b2b0-418e-a8a7-65c20b22ae3d">Re: (vent) FMIL drama, advice please!</a>:
    [QUOTE]LOL I meant the picture doesn't look good, not the people.  Both of our families are large, even if we were to take one side at a time, it would still be too many people and would be hard to tell who everyone is in a picture.  It's our wedding, not a family reunion.
    Posted by allyssa2010[/QUOTE]

    <div>I figured this is what you meant, and I agree with you. Your photographer will probably give you a sheet with various shots you want him/her to take. If not, I would definitely send him/her one. That way, your photographer knows what you want and do NOT want. </div><div>
    </div><div>I'd also recommend giving him/her a head's up about your FMIL and how she might say, "Oh let's get a picture of_____!" on the day of the wedding. If you're on a time limit and have a specified list, it'll give you and your photographer a valid reason not to honor her request. </div>
    April Siggy Challenge-Wedding Escape: Reading HG/dreaming about Peeta.... Image and video hosting by TinyPic Wedding Countdown Ticker Bio-Updated 4/22**
  • Simply FatedSimply Fated member
    5000 Comments Fifth Anniversary 500 Love Its First Answer
    edited December 2011
    "I thought no whole family pictures at the wedding?!? 'splain please!"

    I thought that picture was taken on Thanksgiving, not your wedding. I'm confused. o.o


    Either way, I would definitely not share any more info with her about your wedding plans. 
    image
  • RaptorSLHRaptorSLH member
    500 Comments First Anniversary
    edited December 2011
    [QUOTE] I am used to getting these kind of messages from my FMIL, but now she's brought my mom into it. I'm really offended.  When she does it to me I let it go, but now that she has brought my mom into it, I can't help but be offended..  [/QUOTE]

    <div>I hear ya.  I'm in a similar situation - my chronically late FMIL stood my mom and me up on Black Friday, despite making a huge deal about wanting to get us together at that time to talk wedding.</div><div>
    </div><div>Talking won't change anything for either of us, or it would have done so already.  I think it's time to start leaving them out of the planning stage.  Your FMIL can't criticize what she doesn't know about.  Time to start replying to all such discussions with "Thank you for your concern, but it's been taken care of.  Have you tried the bean dip?"  It's not her money, so she has no inherant right to know.</div>
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  • kaitlyn&henrykaitlyn&henry member
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    If you never even mentioned your plans on photography for the wedding, she probably would never have even noticed. Just dont share anymore wedding plans with her. My mom is the same way as far as spliiting time for holidays and stuff...try to look at it as she misses you and just wants to see you both. I know it comes across wrong (believe me i get so aggravated too) but its a complaint that has good intentions.
  • Maggie0829Maggie0829 member
    Eighth Anniversary 10000 Comments 500 Love Its 25 Answers
    edited December 2011
    Stop sharing wedding details with her...problem solved!

  • edited December 2011
    I feel your pain! I am dealing with a difficult FMIL. She used to ask me about every single detail of the wedding and why we were doing everything "my" way. Um, hello! I'm the bride! I get the final say on everything! She even asked me how much my dress was! (Sorry for all the "!"s but you get my point.) As much as I love my fiancee, I told him I wasn't going to put up with any of that, and I finally had to tell her off. It worked. She minds her own business now. Laughing
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