I haven't posted here in forever (been enjoying married life too much!) and didn't know if this is even the place since it's not wedding related. Still, I thought you girls might be able to give me some insight....
Hubs and I have been married a year and half. Before we got married there were some issues with MIL....mainly overbearing (she insisted DH walk *back* into the ceremony after we left as husband and wife at the end and escort her out) and expected us to drop everything to go do stuff with her all the time. But I've overlooked a lot and have been really understanding and we truly do have a good relationship at this point.
But lately I've been feeling a little claustrophobic. We do things with her all the time. We go to church and then lunch with her every Sunday, eat dinner with her pretty much every other Friday, I work with her at her business on Wednesdays (she needed help part time), and DH stops by and sees at work every single day since his office is very close to hers.
I know this sounds crazy, but the important part I need to add in is that DH's sister has some physical disabilities and some pretty sever brain injury issues from a wreck years ago. She requires daily care. DH's parents are divorced and MIL's current husband is beginning to get dementia. We do so much for her and with her because she's basically at the end of her rope and really needs the help and support. Normally I could never do this much together time, but have tried to be more than understanding because of the circumstances. I've learned how to communicate frustrations with MIL to DH without accusing her...that is his mother and my picking fights only makes things worse.
But now MIL has asked if we can all do dinner as a family on Tuesday nights as well. She said this will really help SIL out because she is going to fix the meal and it will give her something to look forward to taking on. But I don't think I can do yet another thing with that part of DH's family. We already do dinner every single Sunday night with his dad's family. My family doesn't live super close, but we do see them maybe once a month as a couple and then I see my family somewhat more often since I work closer to where they live.
It's not that I'm not comfortable standing my ground. There have been times when she's asked what we're doing for dinner and I tell her we're going to have a "date night" at a restaurant in town thinking that will ward off any invitations and she simply asks if we would like to change our plans and come eat with her since she'd like to treat us. I've gotten comfortable saying 'thank you so much for that kind offer, but we really already had plans and want some time just the two of us. maybe next week'. She gets upset, but I've learned to deal.
I guess my question is: how much is too much? I am trying so hard to be understanding, but since I don't have a sibling or family member with disabilities I don't know how much time and understanding I would ask of DH if the situation was reversed.
*I'd also like to point out that we don't even have kids yet. When grandkids get thrown into the mix I'm worried about how much time she will ask of us.