African American Weddings

Vent: Am I a bad dil, because I refuse to visit her while in the hospital?

As mentioned in my wedding recap. I mentioned mil being sick and was hospitalized for 2 weeks the day after our wedding. For the past 5 years mil been in and out the hospital. Just this year alone, she's been in the hospital 4 times. Mil goes from being okay and once d/c from the hospital she does fine for a few weeks/months and then sick again. Alot of her issues is  the neglect for herself. She suffers from heart problems(depression in denial) and now kidney failure. Dh argues with her back and forth about her taking care of herself better and getting new doctors. You would think this woman lives alone but she has a hubby.

Hubby called and asked when am I going to see his mom. Frankly his mom is doing better, eventhough, still in the hospital but he expects everytime she is sick that I suppose to drop everything to go visit her. I'm tired. I started a second job over a week ago and working 14hrs a day Mon-Friday. Yesterday, I had to take my own mother to the store and Sunday is actually my time. Now if she was doing horrible then of course I would go see about her.  But she is improving and I just spoke to her via telephone last night. Why do I have to see her everytime she end up in the hospital? But bil does not. Now my bil lives 4 hrs away but only been down her in the city twice this year(nye and our wedding) and never once come down to visit while his own mother been hospitalized over the years.. Actually last year when mil had a stroke his brother still went on his honeymoon and did not come down till a month later and that was only because my husband was giving her a birthday party and asked him to come. 



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Re: Vent: Am I a bad dil, because I refuse to visit her while in the hospital?

  • island07b2bisland07b2b member
    Knottie Warrior 2500 Comments 100 Love Its Name Dropper
    edited December 2011
    Wow.  Umm...I am going to say that I am with you on this one.  It's not like you haven't visited her before while she was in the hospital and you are talking with her to check on her.  She is doing ok and improving.  If she gets worse then yes, I would say you should go but in this instance and with your own life to live, I think your not going to visit her is okay.   I guess the bigger issue you have is with your hubby and how he feels about you not visiting his Mom.  That could make for a unhappy home.  How does he view your feelings on this issue?



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  • edited December 2011
    I agree with you as well. You have been in contact with your MIL and to me, thats what counts. Your DH needs to consider your hetic schedule.  Sometimes our men think that we are SUPERWOMEN 24 7 and thats not always the case. I would suggest maybe scheduling a dinner for her once she gets discharged and that gives you time to set aside a day and plan a menu to cook for her. If her stay is going to be really prolonged in the hospital, maybe you can stop by at least once to chat with her. Drop off some magazines and make her a little comfort bag.
  • edited December 2011

    From your post, it doesn't seem that the hospital is too far a drive for you. Go see your MIL. Even if it is just for a few minutes to pop in and check in on her. Its only a few minutes out of your day and it may make hers.

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  • edited December 2011
    I definitely understand your frustration, but I say go visit her.  Honestly, taking a 1/2 hour out of your day to go visit her will go a long way in terms of avoiding unnecessary friction between you, FI, and your future in laws. My mother is ill and has been in and out of the hospital several times over the last couple of years and if FI was griping about going to see her I would be very disappointed and hurt.  What is important to him should be just as important to you. Hope this doesn't come off as rude, but just trying to offer a different perspective. You definitely have a lot on your plate right now so hang in there.    
  • edited December 2011

    I agree that you are NOT a bad DIL, but only frustrated that she is in the hospital because SHE is not taking care of herself and causing majority of the problems. I would swing by and try to talk to her to find out how to help going forward.

    Sounds like if she keeps down this path she will continue to be in and out of the hospital. In marriage we have to sometimes do things we don't want to do. There will be a time you will want DH to do something he is too tired to do.

    If you can, try and go.

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  • edited December 2011
    Short answer : no you aren't a bad DIL

    HOWEVER, since this is the mother of your husband I'd at the very least call or send a card to let her know that you care that she's sick... again. 

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  • edited December 2011
    I don't think you're a bad DIL but go see her.  Even though she may be doing it to herself, that's something she needs to have the initiative to change.

    I learned a similar lesson with my FMIL this past summer when her mother died and I didn't send condolences-no call or card, nothing.  I found out later that it hurt her feelings and I felt bad.  Even though you don't want to just those little things can mean a lot to someone, and it'll keep friction down too.
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  • nicknuttncnicknuttnc member
    Fifth Anniversary 500 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I think you should go and see her because this is your MIL and it will cut out any ill feelings your hubby may feel if you do not. Why start an argument if you do not have to. You are a good DIL, but you may have to bend on this issue. Sometimes we do not take care of ourselves because we are depressed or think no one cares. Think how you might make her feel better to know you care. I go in the hospital at least twice a year (for a heart problem and sometimes I do not do all I suppose to. But if my son or his wife would not come and see me I would be upset and feel that they do not care). Just take a moment to brighten up her day.
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  • edited December 2011
    Thank you, ladies. I will try to stop by sometime this week to visit. I only have 1hr between the end of my 1st job and start of my second, and that drive is 30min to her hospital. If not, then I'll do it on Saturday since I have that day off.


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  • edited December 2011
    I agree with all the posts.. first I said it doesn't matter but I can be insensitive.. so I say go see her on Saturday. You wont have enough time between jobs, but make an effort to just pop over for an hour and say hello. It will make your house happier and that's what's important.
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  • edited December 2011
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/cultural-wedding-boards_african-american-weddings_vent-am-bad-dil-because-refuse-visit-her-hospital?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Cultural Wedding BoardsForum:400Discussion:afa880a9-ceac-4df5-b6a5-8189d847c572Post:437a1893-9375-4da0-b6ef-89ecfe3f7d89">Re: Vent: Am I a bad dil, because I refuse to visit her while in the hospital?</a>:
    [QUOTE]I agree with all the posts.. first I said it doesn't matter but I can be insensitive.. so I say go see her on Saturday. You wont have enough time between jobs, but make an effort to just pop over for an hour and say hello. It will make your house happier and that's what's important.
    Posted by Ksk2012[/QUOTE]


    I will. Thank you!


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