MY mother-in-law is flirting with me, and I don’t know how to make it stop.
I’ve been married to her daughter for ten years.
Recently, my wife’s parents separated due to my father-in-law having an affair and since then my mum-in-law’s behaviour has changed.
My wife and I decided to spend more time with her mum, dropping in on her more regularly to try and keep her busy.
My wife even encouraged me to drop food and treats off on my way home from work.
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But all the hugging, and touching has put me right off.
I’ve started to make excuses to avoid being left on my own with her.
She started off saying how well I looked, then she’d compliment my dress sense – always using it as an excuse to pat me.
Then the hugs became lingering holds and she’d even rub my back a few times.
The last time I agreed to go around and fix her internet connection for her she started caressing my head and giving me a meaningful look.
I couldn’t bear it any longer, and asked her to stop, but she brushed it off, saying it was an accident.
Since then I’ve avoided her and she’s started badgering me by text.
Now I’m thinking of blocking her number in order to get some peace.
I don’t know how to solve this issue. We’d always enjoyed a good relationship.
She even sided with me when my wife and I had issues a few years ago.
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She went so far as to say my wife didn’t deserve me.
How can I get my mother-in-law to stop this behaviour without breaking her heart more than it already has been?
DEIDRE SAYS: This has left you in a very awkward position.
I understand that you don’t want to hurt her feelings as she is going through a difficult time, but she is overstepping boundaries.
By distancing yourself you are doing the right thing and you must continue to ensure you’re not left alone with her again.
If she does touch you again, you need to assert that her behaviour makes you uncomfortable and that she needs to stop.
You could even reiterate that you’re happily married to her daughter, and that this inappropriate behaviour is not fair on her.
My support pack on Standing Up for Yourself will help you talk to her should the situation arise again.