The relationship I have with my husband's family (mother, brother, niece) is getting worse and worse. His mother is a very overbearing woman who criticizes me at every opportune moment. His family has very poor moral and ethical values. He does not approve of the things his family does, but maintains a close relationship with them.He realizes how I feel about his family, and has spoken to his mother about her derogatory comments, which has only made her more subtle.I feel physically sick whenever I have to be around them or even when they call. I have tried to talk with her to no avail.

JAH,<BR>I sympathize with you. Try to change your way of thinking ok? You won't be able to change her. This is a very difficult situation because you probably feel as though your put between your MIL and your H. This is a very difficult position for your H to be in also. He probably doesn't want to make waves but be grateful that he stood up for you with your MIL by telling her to stop. REMEMBER THIS....Your MIL is the one with the problem, and now she's trying to make it your problem. Try to get in your head that it's a problem that she has and try to let it roll of your back when she says something.<P>My therapist told me to do this and it worked: when she says something that insults you, just look at her and laugh. Don't say anything at all. If you do it everytime she will probably stop because then you are no fun anymore to put down. She probably does it to make herself feel more important than you. If she sees that it doesn't bother you than what is she going to get out of it: NOTHING! Remember, she's the one with the problem, NOT YOU! Let her carry the weight of her own problem, don't let her put it on your shoulders. You have more important things to worry about in life, right?<BR>Good luck and let me know how it works for you!<BR>SuziQ