So uh. Has anybody ever had inlaw issues? I'm sure we all have, at some point. Mine is just at every interaction for some reason.

I breastfeed my 6 month old without a cover most of the time, since my tshirt covers everything. I have never been a touchy-type of person. I need space. With my husband and close friends, sure. But my mother in law knows I'm reserved and we don't exactly see eye to eye anyway. I think we have hugged once or twice, like when I went away to basic combat training. In the 4 years I've known the woman, she has never been a person I would choose to be around. She just kind of ridicules and bullies her way into getting what she wants. Manipulates. Toxic, nosey, opinionated. Self absorbed. She walks on me and her son as well. Pushes boundaries. So we aren't friends.

Well, I'm sitting at the dining room table feeding my little miss, AWAY from the group of people gathered in the living room (it is all one huge room with a breakfast bar to separate it). My MIL kept edging closer and closer to us. Generally, I like even a little extra space when I have a tit out, so I don't mind being on my own. I don't think anybody wants an audience when they're breastfeeding. Especially in the presence of humans they avoid and feel uncomfortable around. I kind of gave her a side eye and cleared my throat saying "gosh, I forgot my cover for feeding" thinking maybe she just didn't notice I was breastfeeding. She didn't care apparently. But she finally got close enough I could basically feel her breath on my fucking neck as she watched her sweet grandbaby eat. Clearly uncomfortable, I got up and moved to another chair. WHAT DOES SHE DO?!

She walks back up into our bubble and starts stroking my daughter's hair, then puts her face down and kisses her. Starts clicking and whispering to her. For like. 30 seconds at least. In a room full of people. While little one is eating. You kidding me? I don't even let my own mother get that close if my tit is out (why would she even want to be that close). Can you imagine how fucking awkward this was? My mother in law, who I can't stand, had her face in my chest. And it was so obvious that I was having mini anxiety attack. I tried to kind of deal with it because I didn't want to blow up. So I got up and went into the other room to have some privacy AND SHE FOLLOWED. I had to stop. And turn toward her. And tell her "I actually need some privacy, thanks". I have only stood up a few tines, all resulting in her crying. I have always been intimidated by these people. This woman has never respected boundaries or common courtesies (such as letting us announce our pregnancy before her... or leaving the room when I told her when I was in labor... or even leaving the room when I told her to so the lactation specialist could help me... or not kissing the newborn when she has coldsores and the flu... or about a dozen other instances) if it didn't fit her agenda. I was just kind of flabbergasted. But at the same time, with all the bullying and disrespect I've gotten from this woman and her family, I am not at all surprised. She then proceeded to tell me I don't need to "hog HER baby". Coming from the woman who barely let me hold my own 5 day old child until I blew up and TOOK her back. I don't mind people holding my kid, but I don't need to come up with a reason to hold her, to beg to hold her in their presence. Like I said, toxic and maybe a little delusional, too. That's when I lost it and made a scene. I told her not to invite us over again if she didn't want to respect my personal space. Oops.

Whyyyy did she think that was okay? She can't even be nice to me without an ulterior motive, and heaven forbid the subject changes from her achievements to her son's. So I don't see how she would think she had a green light to get in my space. She can love on the baby when it isn't meal time... And she wonders why we only visit a couple times a month. Is it okay to NOT want somebody's face next to my breast while feeding my kid (or at all)? Am I the crazy one? Crazy for dealing with their rude asses for this long, I think.