u/prismlilly

As the title suggests, my mil lives in a different country. She demands I call her weekly. In the past, I obliged but got met with constant criticism and taunts . Lately, life has been full with 2 young kids. The thought of listening to her taunts and criticism is exhausting. So, the start of the year, I decided to pull an uncle Colm on her. Anytime she called, I'd go on long-winded mundane rants about my life. For example

MiL : You need to take better care of your husband ( her son )

Me : oh you know speaking of husbands, my friends husband had a procedure done. You see it started on a Saturday. Nope I am forgetting. It started on a Thursday. He wasnt feeling too well but then you know

MiL : Well I mean you need to remind him to take his medicine

Me: yes the doctors here they aren't the best you remember 3 years back now. Nope I think its been 4 years. Wow its been 4 years now. Time flies by so quickly. We used to be in the old house .

By this point my MIL is frustrated with me dodging her taunts and cuts the call. I have had so much fun with this. I did it even when she visited me. She'd be so exasperated with me dodging her topics. The thing is I have learned I dont need to validate her . I dont need to acknowledge what she is saying . I also dont need her to validate me. So yeah, feel free to use this.

This mostly pertains to grocery stores. Recently, I have found great annoyance in having to constantly 'activate' my offers on my nectar and more cards. I had a £5 voucher just chilling. I mean, if I have signed up for a loyalty program, wouldn't it be obvious I want the offers. I am wondering if I am just missing a point here.

On Sunday, I had a scare as my daughter (6) ran away from me and went into the parking lot. We were at Sunday school and I was talking to her teacher. She always waits with me but for some reason decided to just run out into the parking lot. I didn't notice as it was literally 2 min. Luckily my husband was parking the car. He saw her crying and distraught and got her. I was pretty shaken up by that as it has never happened. I kept thinking what would have happened if my husband didn't see her or how did I let that happen.

Fast forward to today, my son (10) took a pretty bad fall at school my husband is currently in A &E with him. Its not super severe and mostly for precaution that we took him to A&E but I am really shaken up by these two incidents.

On Sunday I had a lovely day planned with some friends. We were going to go to a plant fair at a Manor house and explore the gardens. I really was looking forward to this as I rarely do anything for myself. Now I just feel guilty about going.