Mother-in-Law!

Although there are a number of important things to worry about in my life right now, I'm sad to say that my mother-in-law is currently the biggest stressor in my life.

I know she is having trouble with her son (my husband) growing up and leaving the nest, but she is really not handling it well, and it is taking a toll on me.

The holidays were especially stressful. My husband and I planned on spending some time together alone, as this was our first year as a married couple, but she just could not understand that. She accused us of "ruining Christmas" by spending time away from her!

She is just so passive-aggressive with everything, and always doing us "favors" that we don't need, and then trying to manipulate us into doing what she wants as a result of the favor.

For instance, if we go to dinner and she sneaks away and pays an extra tip to the waiter, she will go on all night about how nice it was for her to pay the extra tip, and then expect us to stay at her house for longer because of her "generosity".

I try to not let it bother me, because I know the tension bothers my husband, but it is becoming increasingly difficult to hold my frustrations inside.

I know she ultimately means well, but in the mean time it is driving me crazy!!!! I understand that she loves her son, but so do I, and I think it's time for her to catch on to reality.