I Lived In The Wreckage Of My MIL's Crappy Parenting

My mother-in-law was never a great parent. She constantly put her own needs before those of her children, leaving them to fend for themselves. When I entered the picture as her daughter-in-law, her neglectful behavior began to affect me as well. I was constantly forced to pick up the slack and take care of her children because she couldn't be bothered to do so.

As time went on, I realized that living in the wreckage of her crappy parenting was taking a toll on me. I was exhausted from constantly being on high-alert and taking care of those who couldn't take care of themselves. It wasn't until I took a step back and evaluated the situation that I realized things needed to change.

Here are just a few examples of how my mother-in-law's parenting affected me:

• Lost sleep from staying up late to make sure her children were taken care of
• Financial strain from constantly supporting her children financially
• Increased anxiety from always being on high-alert and dealing with her children's behavioral issues
• Strained relationship with my husband due to constant tension caused by his mother's behavior

Practical Tips

If you find yourself in a similar situation, here are some practical tips that helped me:

1. Set boundaries: It's important to set boundaries with your mother-in-law and her children to protect your own mental health.
2. Get support: Reach out to friends, family, or a therapist for support if you find yourself struggling with the situation.
3. Encourage independence: If possible, help your mother-in-law's children become more independent so that they're not constantly relying on you to take care of them.

Conclusion

Living in the wreckage of my mother-in-law's crappy parenting was not easy, but with the help of these practical tips and a lot of self-reflection, I was able to create a better situation for myself. Remember to set boundaries, get support, and encourage independence if you find yourself in a similar situation.