My MIL is the devil in crimpolene. I could write a book on her nastiness. For example, on our wedding day she looked me up and down and said
"My God, you are plain"
She spends at least £100 on each of the kids and Mr O at Christmas...and never more than £1 on me. I once got some bath salts with the 79p price tag still on.
I loved my MIL. A bit of a rough diamond but a heart of gold. She protected her family and extended family like a rotweiller (sp) protected her puppies. I still miss her.
My daughters are unmarried and my son is too young to marry so i'm not a mother in law yet. I have always been reasonable with my daughter's partners though (except one who I refused to speak to with good reason).
When my son was three I invited the in-laws to spend Christmas with us. Early on Christmas morning MIL got my son up, took him downstairs and opened all the presents from Santa. Broke my heart not seeing his face opening his presents.