Annoyance

[poliphilo]

I don't like my father-in-law. I find it hard to be polite to him or even sit in the same room. There are reasons for this, some of which must- in the nature of things- reflect discredit on me. I've written about all this in the past and I don't want to go over it again.  Some people- all of them as far as I can see people of his own generation- find him a thoroughly decent bloke. I think the antipathy is probably deeper than the facts of the case warrant. Even if I knew nothing to his discredit I wouldn't want to be around him. Call it a magnetic repulsion.

He's been in failing health for several years now- and Ailz and I are the ones who have to deal with it day in, day out.  It would be nice if I felt something other than annoyance.

Comments

[sorenr.livejournal.com]

I sympathise. My father-in-law was an absent parent, didn't contribute even financially to his son's upbringing and only really entered the scene within the past 6 years. (Out of 32...) Also, he's misogynist, sexist and generally not the easiest of people to deal with when you're a person like myself who just wants everybody to get along. And NOT degrade other people!

Still, I keep seeing him, as you see Ailz's father. Because at the end of the day, it's not the right of a son-in-law to cut ties with the in-laws; that right lies with their child. As long as Denis wants to see his dad, I will see him and put on a smiling face, even if he resents me for not being a woman. And for speaking better French than he does, even though he's lived in France for 35 years. HA! Take THAT, dad-in-law! (I can be petty...)

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

Yes, you're right, us in-laws have a duty to tolerate our partners' insufferable parents.

I keep contact with Dot and Eric to a minimum. When they come for their weekly visit I sit in another room. otherwise I might very well be actively, rather than merely passively, rude to them.