Widowed Man Close To His Teen Daughter Deals With His MIL Who Thinks This Closeness Is A Bad Thing

The MIL finds the family dynamic inappropriate.

May

• Published in Interesting
• November 20, 2023

One of marriage's toughest challenges is dealing with in-laws. First of all, it's hard to set boundaries with them, especially when you already have children.

When you marry into a new family, it's like stepping into a well-established dance routine—you've got to learn the steps, and sometimes those steps involve a mother-in-law who's practically moved into your kitchen or a father-in-law who's suddenly your career coach. These boundaries, formed over a lifetime, are like those stubborn knots that just refuse to untangle.

Now, let's sprinkle in some expectations. In-laws, with all their good intentions, might throw a curveball or two your way. It could be advice you didn't ask for.

When expectations clash, it's like trying to mix oil and water—doesn't always blend seamlessly. So, discovering the right mix where everyone is satisfied can be as challenging as navigating through a labyrinth.

A father of a teenager posted his issue with his mother-in-law on /r/Relationships. The original poster (OP) tells the community even if his wife died, both he and his daughter adjusted to the situation well.

Despite the fact that his daughter is now a teenager and remains closely connected with him, there's a bit of a challenge on the family front. The issue arises because his mother-in-law finds their family dynamic inappropriate.

Another aspect she's not entirely comfortable with is his parenting approach. He supports his daughter's self-expression, including letting her share bikini shots on Instagram.

After his MIL criticized his and her daughter's family dynamic, the OP thinks he's not very accepting of teen parenting advice.

The OP shares his family background.

He's a widower with a daughter, and his MIL helped him raise his child.

The daughter is now a teenager and is still very much close to his father.

The OP's MIL finds their closeness inappropriate.

Now, the OP wants to know how to deal with his intruding MIL.

A Redditor points out that if they're still this close, then the OP is doing great as a parent.

The OP needs to stand his ground with his parenting style, because there's nothing wrong with it.

Redditors are on the OP's side, telling him he's being a good dad to his daughter.

The MIL needs to take a step back. It's the OP who gets to decide how he parents his daughter.

The OP can always acknowledge his MIL's advice. But in the end, he decides how he parents his daughter.

If his daughter is sharing what she does on social media with him, then he's doing a great job as a dad.

The OP can simply say "no," whenever his MIL insists on the parenting style she thinks is best.

The OP doesn't need to change his parenting style to suit the wants of his mother-in-law. Changing the family dynamic would only make his daughter distant.

He is already doing a good job. If the MIL insists on her ways, then it's time for the OP to be firm about his stance and refuse her advice.

May