So my mother-in-law is insane.

[emzie]

Well I'm not married yet, but I have no better term for her.

A few days ago, she spent an hour trying to convince me the CIA or the FBI was behind 9/11. As evidence, she used JFK's assassination, the time of day (the buildings hadn't been completely filled), the economic gain New York City (People go look at ruins! The US never had any ruins, now they do!), the look on Bush's face when he was 'informed,' who profited (Bush and his supporters made out like bandits!) and her limited foresight.The IRA somehow made it into this discussion too.

Now, had this been anyone but family, I would have laughed and probably said something rude and walked away. However, I believe in having strong family ties, even if the person to whom you are tied is nuts. Like she is (and I knew this long before she told me Bush = 9/11). So I forced myself to be polite: I listened, but I didn't try and engage a debate with her. I tried to look interested in what she was saying, even if it was rather appalling.

She knows I don't believe her -- I told her that I don't think the American government could do this to its own people, only other countries -- and every day since has tried to broach the topic with me, usually over the phone.

I know she will eventually give up, she has long since given up on converting me, but I don't know how I'm not going to snap at her. Her outlook is that everything is a threat and should be dealt with accordingly. If I do snap, it will mean no ties for a long time, something I wouldn't want to do to my fiancé.

So how do I keep biting my lip?

 

[Masquerouge]

What does your fiancee think about her mom and her theories?

 

[skadistic]

"So how do I keep biting my lip?"

Put it 'tween your teeth.


Just don't fall for it. Change the subject. Report her to a mod for trolling.

 

[sysyphus]

All mothers-in-law are insane. Get used to it.

Seriously though, she's being wacked. Tell her so, then ignore her.

 

[Fox Mccloud]

What does your fiancee think about her mom and her theories?

I was going to say the same, only instead of theories I would have put in ******** Conspiracy "theories".

Hang in there augurey. I can't imagine how hard it is for you to put up with that kind of retardity.

 

[.Shane.]

Don't bite your lip. Let her have, it, both barrels, metaphorically speaking.

 

[Dionysius]

<purged.>

 

[Irish Caesar]

Move across the country after you get married.

 

[emzie]

What does your fiancee think about her mom and her theories?

She thinks her mom is insane. I knew her mom was insane long before I met her. Back when she was a film student, she often joked that if she made a film based on her mother's life, no one would believe it. Nevertheless, she truly does love her mother too. And I respect her mother for that reason. That and she's one bad-ass cook.

All mothers-in-law are insane. Get used to it.

There's insane protecting of your daughter and then there's building a life-sized reconstruction of the last supper to have a room in which to pray. Speaking of praying, I don't think they know any professors and I pray my fellow Ottawan here doesn't know them

Tell her so, then ignore her.

It's one of those 'you don't understand' moments. She sees everything in life as a struggle. Everything is a tinderbox that can make her explode. Luckily, I've never had to deal with this, though I've heard it over the phone. I'm afraid if I do tell her to piss off, that it won't just ruin my relationship with her, but my fiance's relationship with her. At least for the next year. However, not saying 'you're a loon. A ****ing loon!' is a wear, which is probably why I'm venting on here

 

[Sidhe]

You aren't going to change her mind, she isn't going to change yours, so why does it matter to you; listen with good humour, refute and enjoy the difference of opinion, hell at least she isn't talking creationsim over evolution .

I guess though I'm someone who likes a good debate, if you don't just relax and leave her to her assumptions and keep making it clear you don't agree, after all it doesn't matter a jot does it really? Learn to enjoy the craziness, Isn't it just a little speck of difference when you consider things.

It's not like she's calling you a bum and chastising your worthiness for her daughter, things could be worse? In fact, the fact she's willing to talk about odd stuff is probably a good sign. Shouldn't really worry about it.

 

[Masquerouge]

She thinks her mom is insane. I knew her mom was insane long before I met her. Back when she was a film student, she often joked that if she made a film based on her mother's life, no one would believe it. Nevertheless, she truly does love her mother too. And I respect her mother for that reason. That and she's one bad-ass cook.

Well at least that's cool, if your GF acknowledges it! And I can completely understand not going into confrontation mode. I do the same with my father-in-law when he make racist comments. Just let go.

 

[Eran of Arcadia]

Just smile and nod, try changing the subject, heck pretend to agree with her. It probably isn't worth arguing with her, in the long run (though what do I know).

 

[FredLC]

Well, my wife's family have been consistently trying to convert me back to catholicism for a good ten years now. I'm living proof that you can cohexist well with people who likes to talk A LOT about stuff you don't give the slightest credit to.

Regards .

 

[emzie]

Just smile and nod, try changing the subject, heck pretend to agree with her.

I have been. I'll even go as so far as to point out a piece of evidence she presents is true (such as 9/11 was used to go into Iraq) but I won't agree with her that Bush wanted to go into Iraq so he did 9/11. She views everything like religion, so me disagreeing with her on this is like me saying God doesn't exist.

She just called me stupidly-patritoitic for not being able to see her truth. And that I wouldn't be able to be a good Canadian if I kept it up. But she didn't say it in anger.

 

[jamiethearcher]

You think thats bad.....you should have seen my inlaws when I told them I got accepted to Law School in the US and would be taking their daughter away to facist America.......Funnily enough, its my Father in law thats the more difficult one. Mother in law (politics aside) is alright!

 

[Quasar1011]

My mother-in-law isn't insane.... but then, I only got married 13 days ago. Give me some time...

 

[Fox Mccloud]

What other crap does your mother in law believe? How much of my signature fits her?

 

[sysyphus]

There's insane protecting of your daughter and then there's building a life-sized reconstruction of the last supper to have a room in which to pray. Speaking of praying, I don't think they know any professors and I pray my fellow Ottawan here doesn't know them

Let me just say that this is your much deserved punishment for marrying a Canadian. Could you not have found a better civilisation to integrate into?

It's one of those 'you don't understand' moments. She sees everything in life as a struggle. Everything is a tinderbox that can make her explode. Luckily, I've never had to deal with this, though I've heard it over the phone. I'm afraid if I do tell her to piss off, that it won't just ruin my relationship with her, but my fiance's relationship with her. At least for the next year. However, not saying 'you're a loon. A ****ing loon!' is a wear, which is probably why I'm venting on here

Actually, I've got some in-law situations that are very similar, thought it is with my father -in-law and his religious beliefs rather than his politcal ones (granted, the two are quite interlinked).

I'm guessing that this is my much deserved punishment for marrying a Limey. Could I not have found a better civilisation to integrate into?

 

[Eukaryote]

My mother-in-law isn't insane.... but then, I only got married 13 days ago. Give me some time...

I don't mean to sound rude but:

Why are you here, instead of on your honeymoon fooling around with your wife?

 

[pboily]

There's insane protecting of your daughter and then there's building a life-sized reconstruction of the last supper to have a room in which to pray. Speaking of praying, I don't think they know any professors and I pray my fellow Ottawan here doesn't know them

Your fellow Ottawan doesn't know them, hopes you don't let her come between you and your fiancee/girlfriend, and agrees with sysyphus: the only mother-in-law that is not certifiably crazy is my mother, when it comes to my girlfriend, (EDIT: my ex-wife), my brothers' girlfriends and my sister's husband.

Good luck, still.