My MIL constantly compares my family and hers as far as the ways in which my husband interacts with my family versus his. She will say things to my husband like, “you go on more vacations with your wife’s family” or “you like your wife’s mom more than me.”

His grandfather has said to him, “I had a great relationship with my in-laws, but you still need your family.” It has almost created this awkward divide between the two families. I feel like my family is looked at in a negative way.

The way I see it, my husband has more people to love and support him and that fact doesn’t take anything away from his family. It’s not like he declines seeing his family for mine. Holidays are split so we see both sides. My family lives a few hours closer but that’s about it.

My husband re-connected with his biological father over 10 years ago. His stepdad has been in his life for 18 years. My MIL told my husband it’s disrespectful to his stepdad to have his real dad be so involved in his life (like attending our wedding).

Before I met my husbands extended family, my MIL told me she told them I’m too good for the family and then laughed. I hadn’t even met them yet and there was this ‘judgement’ put into their heads.

Is this normal behavior when kids move and get married? He’s an only child. I cringed when I heard what his mom and grandfather said to him. Why do that to him? It’s a no win situation.

Edit to add: I have no clue what her intent is but I’m sure it is to make herself feel better. I also think she will test my husband to see what he will and won’t do.

Example: She told him she was calling him weekly and if she ‘forgot’ to call, he calls her (this was right after we got married). My husband laughed and changed the subject. She called 4 weeks in a row and then after a few weeks of silence, he randomly got a text saying “I called you four times, why haven’t you called me? Don’t you want to talk to me and see how I am? Don’t you miss me? Don’t you think of me? If you won’t call and put in effort, I’m done.” A few days later, his grandfather called him and said, “she just wants to be a part of your life.”

Edited again to add: She sent him a text tonight stating “You are MY son and no one else’s. I took care of you and made sure you were okay. You are pushing away a mother who loves you more than life itself. Think about the kids who have no parents to love them.”