8 Ways To Deal With A Manipulative Mother-In-Law

Marriage is not only the union of two individuals, but it also brings two different families together. If someone is lucky enough, they are welcomed with open arms. While it is easy to have a peaceful relationship with your mother-in-law, you need to be extra cautious if you get a manipulative mother-in-law.

You have to be smarter not only with your mother-in-law but with the people around her too. An emotionally manipulative mother-in-law can cause some troubles in your married life. She can control you or your spouse using her  tactics.

Things can become more severe if you see her as your daughter’s bully who married your family. To make sure that the manipulative mother-in-law doesn’t affect the marital bond, you need to handle her tactfully.

This article will discuss eight ways to deal with your manipulative mother-in-law effectively.

Signs Of A Manipulative Mother-In-Law

Comparing And Belittling You

Starting, a manipulative mother-in-law can be too polite and caring. She will act all nice so that you open up to her. After some time, she will use that information to demean and compare herself with you.

Know Everything

She pretends to know anything and everything. She acts like she is more intelligent than you, and you know nothing. She will not show this attitude of her when someone is present.

Negativity Decreases When Someone Is Around

A Manipulative Mother-In-Law will not show this manipulative nature in front of others. She can subtly tell people that you are the wrong person if you attempt to say anything.

Give No Privacy

She will intentionally invade your personal space. An essential trait of a manipulative MIL is that she will push herself in your decision-making process. Her goal is to be a part of your life to control you.

Gets Away By Using Her Emotions

She knows how to use her manipulative skills to escape from others. She can pretend to cry, get angry or get sick. She will have her way by using empathy for others.

Eight Ways To Deal With Your Manipulative Mother-In-Law

Now you know the signs of a Manipulative Mother-In-Law. The first step is to recognize these signs and then learn how to deal with her.

Knowing Your Feelings

Understand that your anger and frustration are valid. It is normal to experience these emotions when you are dealing with a manipulative mother-in-law.

Allow yourself to feel and acknowledge all these feelings and understand their impact on your family dynamics.

Maintain Boundaries

Your emotional reactions can fulfill her manipulative tactics. So it is essential to be calm and composed when dealing with her manipulation tricks. Practice meditation and deep thinking to keep your calm in tense interactions.

Communicate Openly

Practicing assertive communication is crucial with your manipulative mother-in-law. Rather than attacking her character, focus on specific behaviors that trouble you.

Express your emotions openly but respectfully.

Spouse Involvement

Remember to include your spouse in dealing with your MIL’s behavior. It is crucial to stay united and set boundaries to avoid any manipulation tactics.

Support from your spouse will help you to strengthen your stand and send a clear message to your mother-in-law.

limit Your Contact

If your mother in laws manipulative behavior becomes overwhelming, it is better to limit your contact with her for a while. It will allow both parties to reflect on their actions.

Try To Avoid Triggers

Find out specific points that she is sensitive to or gets angry about, and try to avoid them as much as possible. If preventing them is impossible, then have an escape plan ready.

Take Help

Reach out to friends, family, or therapists to discuss your emotions about your mother in law manipulative tactics. Having someone’s support can help to seek valuable insights and provide emotional validation.

Conclusion

Having a manipulative mother-in-law can be a very overwhelming experience. However, you can save yourself from her manipulative tricks by setting boundaries and avoiding specific triggers.

Remember to take the help of your spouse or family and friends to deal with the situation. With time you can improve your relations with your mother-in-law and improve the relations in the family.