My MIL is my BEC but really not *that bad*, especially by DWIL standards. I'm seeking input on how to handle this issue without it blowing up because she is extremely sensitive and is a crier.
background: BIL has been estranged for many years, but has reconciled with MIL over the summer. He is divorcing, his stbx & MIL couldn't even be in the same room, DH & BIL's relationship has been strained for as long as I've known him, so we don't know BIL's children (15 &7) well. MIL is a retired elem school teacher. The last time we went to her home, BIL & his kids were there, it's the first time we had seen them in about 3 years. MIL had 5 'mixer' games pairing each child with each adult once - MIL, sFIL, me, DH, & BIL, our 3 kiddos + 2 his two. She spent a lot of time mapping this out, buying supplies, had a list of who is paired with who for each game. I just found out she is doing it again for Thanksgiving. I really do not want to do this. One of my DD's has anxiety issues and is upset about it already.
I know this is mild compared to most of what is on here, but I can see it blowing way out of proportion if I ask her to knock it off. I feel like she is reliving her teaching days, but I don't want to relive first grade.DH as usual says "
I get what you're saying but I don't think it's a big deal" (yeah, I know he's the main problem in my IL issues)
background: BIL has been estranged for many years, but has reconciled with MIL over the summer. He is divorcing, his stbx & MIL couldn't even be in the same room, DH & BIL's relationship has been strained for as long as I've known him, so we don't know BIL's children (15 &7) well. MIL is a retired elem school teacher. The last time we went to her home, BIL & his kids were there, it's the first time we had seen them in about 3 years. MIL had 5 'mixer' games pairing each child with each adult once - MIL, sFIL, me, DH, & BIL, our 3 kiddos + 2 his two. She spent a lot of time mapping this out, buying supplies, had a list of who is paired with who for each game. I just found out she is doing it again for Thanksgiving. I really do not want to do this. One of my DD's has anxiety issues and is upset about it already.
I know this is mild compared to most of what is on here, but I can see it blowing way out of proportion if I ask her to knock it off. I feel like she is reliving her teaching days, but I don't want to relive first grade.DH as usual says "
I get what you're saying but I don't think it's a big deal" (yeah, I know he's the main problem in my IL issues)