« previous next »
Pages: [1]   Go Down

Author Topic: Managing MIL's Monologues -- the Sequel  (Read 4183 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

GratefulMaria

  • Member
  • **
  • Posts: 287
Managing MIL's Monologues -- the Sequel
« on: November 22, 2012, 04:38:17 PM »
Happy Thanksgiving to U.S. members!

Some of you may remember my thread about MIL's propensity to monologue or bring readings to family gatherings http://www.etiquettehell.com/smf/index.php?topic=117973.0  Based on a lot of the great advice here, DH and I came up with a civilized game plan and invited both my mother and MIL for dinner today.  And it was . . . relatively uneventful!  MIL started filling the room with the topic of her choice when she showed up, but we kept momentum moving from person to person and topic to topic.  To give her credit, she rolled with it.  There were a couple of moments of toxicity, but DH deflected them (she waits until I'm in the bathroom to corner him!), and everyone seemed satisfied with the day.

That was the biggie for us, and where eHell really helped:  We didn't try to get through to her, we just tried to get through the event.  Thank you again, all!
Logged

JoyinVirginia

  • Super Hero!
  • ****
  • Posts: 5638
Re: Managing MIL's Monologues -- the Sequel
« Reply #1 on: November 22, 2012, 08:00:20 PM »
Wow! Congrats on a successful gathering! Sounds like you and dh are a terrific team and great hosts.
Logged

JeanFromBNA

  • Hero Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 1795
Re: Managing MIL's Monologues -- the Sequel
« Reply #2 on: November 22, 2012, 09:53:53 PM »
Did she bring handouts this time?
Logged

GratefulMaria

  • Member
  • **
  • Posts: 287
Re: Managing MIL's Monologues -- the Sequel
« Reply #3 on: November 23, 2012, 12:01:11 AM »
Quote from: JeanFromBNA on November 22, 2012, 09:53:53 PM
Did she bring handouts this time?

 ;D  Not this time -- though DH and I actually rehearsed for that, too.
Logged

O'Dell

  • Hero Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 4372
Re: Managing MIL's Monologues -- the Sequel
« Reply #4 on: November 23, 2012, 03:50:14 PM »
Great (unexpected) update! I'm glad your MIL rolled with your changes. :)
Logged
Do I contradict myself? Very well, then I contradict myself, I am large, I contain multitudes.
Walt Whitman

The Wild One, Forever

  • Hero Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 1318
Re: Managing MIL's Monologues -- the Sequel
« Reply #5 on: November 23, 2012, 05:47:49 PM »
Wow, no handouts this year!   That's definitely progress.    ;D

Glad y'all were able to enjoy a nice dinner without her dominating the conversation.  I wish I'd done similar when I was married into my son's dad's family.  (I used to joke that he is such a quiet kid because the rest of the Schulz family used up all the words.)    ;)
Logged
Soft silly music is meaningful, magical

peach2play

  • Member
  • **
  • Posts: 886
Re: Managing MIL's Monologues -- the Sequel
« Reply #6 on: November 26, 2012, 11:23:50 AM »
Congrats!
Logged

VltGrantham

  • Member
  • **
  • Posts: 488
Re: Managing MIL's Monologues -- the Sequel
« Reply #7 on: November 26, 2012, 11:32:58 AM »
Congratulations!  I have to admit, it's really satisfying to read things like this.  Maybe we should all make updates from time to time.  It's gratifying to know that the advice actually works and situations improve!
Logged

cicero

  • Super Hero!
  • ****
  • Posts: 15567
Re: Managing MIL's Monologues -- the Sequel
« Reply #8 on: November 27, 2012, 05:29:26 AM »
good news and thaks for updating.
Logged
"Big mistake. Big. Huge. I have to go shopping now"
Pages: [1]   Go Up
« previous next »