MIL = Monster in law

"The importance of grandmothers in the lives of their grandchildren is underlined in a study published today.

But the research showed that it was only granddaughters who were likely to do better with their paternal grandmothers involved in their early lives. In contrast, the presence of paternal grandmothers had a detrimental effect on the survival of their grandsons."

(The above was quoted from an online article in "The Independent". )

Thank Goodness, Gerard is going to be enrolled into a childcare centre soon!

How should I put it? It's been almost 7 years since I became a DIL but the relationship with my MIL has become more complicated in the recent years, to be exact, after Gerard was born. In the past, although she never made it to the "People whom I love" list, she was not in my list for the other extreme of love. However, perhaps I have become more daring and did not hold my tongue when I was supposed to, the conflicts we have had made her number 1 in my the other list.

Nowadays, her presence makes me feel uncomfortable, her voice makes me feel that my ears have been pierced. I used to throw a tantrum at my husband - her son, whenever my emotions were attacked by her tactlessness. However, "Blood is thicker than water" and this saying perfectly describes the result I got so I need not say more. As time goes by, I learn to play smart. Unless absolutely necessary to rebute, I take a deep breath whenever I hear her barking. Then I will find a suitable opportunity to recount the incident to my husband. Although I still may not get the support which I yearn for, I get heard better and there is lesser tears being shed.

The only saving grace for our relationship is her love for my children. While this trait opens up a whole new chapter about "grandparent spoiling the grandchildren", which if I quote all the examples, I can probably write a book, I choose to overlook it and reason to myself that spoiling is better than abusing.

Since her image keeps appearing in my mind when I am writing this entry, I think I have to stop here or I may just throw my monitor out of the window now!