Expectation of my Mother-in-Law to be Treated Daily as if She was Visiting Royalty!

by Maureen
(Drexel Hill, Pa)

We have lived together for almost 10 years. In the beginning, she was mobile, still drove, did volunteer work, was social.

Over the years, she has stopped driving, and now goes out almost never....by her own choice, not because of inability.

She has become increasingly mean-spirited to my husband and I, as well as our three children. I believe depressed....already on an antidepressant.
We had an evaluation done by geriatric specialists....they say no dementia present.

Those specialists, her primary doc, and her priest recommend getting out, more socialization, going to a senior center. She agreed to try.....went three times over a 4 month period and refuses to go back.

She is capable of doing stuff, but wants us to do it for her. When we won't do for her what she is able to do for herself she gets nasty, passive aggressive, and downright mean.

A family member in the mental health field suggested therapy to work out her anger issues....but she does not believe she is angry....she believes we are mean and don't love her.

Totally frustrated.