Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
My MIL is old school. When she's alone with my 6 year old, she says some odd things (IMHO). The latest is that she called my kid "the devil's child" when she didn't want to help out with the dish washing. My kid came to me and believes what grandma says is true. I told her that grandma didn't mean it, but my kid wasn't buying it. Should I have a talk with my MIL or let it go? I'm torn, since I'm so tired of confrontations with her.
I'd just stop letting my children be alone with her.
Sometimes I wish I could, but hubby thinks his mom is harmless and needs to spend time with her grandkid. I tried inviting her over to my house to visit, but she insists on me dropping the kid off at her house. Other than these oddball remarks she makes, my kid enjoys (for the most part) spending time with grandma.
My MIL is old school. When she's alone with my 6 year old, she says some odd things (IMHO). The latest is that she called my kid "the devil's child" when she didn't want to help out with the dish washing. My kid came to me and believes what grandma says is true. I told her that grandma didn't mean it, but my kid wasn't buying it. Should I have a talk with my MIL or let it go? I'm torn, since I'm so tired of confrontations with her.
You should confront your husband on his mothers behaviour. It is his responsibilty to correct it. I would not bring my child around my mil until the problem was rectified. Your husband needs to make her understand that there are better ways to get your child to partake in activities without immature name calling.
no offense but if "the devil's child" is the worst thing that your kid is ever going to be called then I would consider your self lucky.
Sounds to me like you have a very sensitive kid, which isn't always a bad thing, but she does need to develop a thicker skin. What's she going to do when kids at school tell her she colors scribble scrabble or a teacher tells her, her hand writing looks like chicken scratch. Those are also harmless remarks too. However, I bet she will take them personally at this point. I would focus more on helping your daughter understand remarks like this instead of confronting grandma about this particular situation.
Status:
"Mistress of finance and foods."
(set 27 days ago)
Location: Coastal Georgia
50,085 posts, read 63,455,214 times
Reputation: 92686
What do you mean, "she insists that I drop the kid off at her house?" You can either nip this in the bud and decide who's in charge of your child, or let her continue to steam roll you forever.
I would say "Mom (or whatever you call her), I'm not comfortable when you say things like little Tiffany is 'the devil's child', because she takes the things you say very literally." I would let it go one time, but if it happens again you should tell her the visits will stop unless she cleans up her act.
What's Grandma's tone of voice when she says these things? Are they colloquialisms that she uses because of her age/race/ethnicity/regionalism? Or is she yelling at the child and telling him he comes from evil? Big difference.
Do your "other confrontations" run along the lines of things she says or does she just plain-old get on your last nerve in general?
calling a kid "devil's child" can really traumatize a kid depending on what is being taught in the way of religion. Some emphasize hell and the devil and being called that could do some real harm. I don't think Mom is too sensitive. I sure wouldn't let ANYBODY much less the mother call my kid that and get away with it.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.