So I'm 33 weeks with my 3rd baby. My kids are 13 and 8, both boys, and I'm expecting a girl this time. Trouble is that I have a mother in law who doesn't understand that this pregnancy is not about her. A week after I found out I was pregnant my father inlaw passed away suddenly so the first half of my pregnancy was spent trying to stay quiet and respect her grief. She didn't want me even mention that it was happening because I was "stealing her thunder". Recently my brother I law decided to move interstate with his kids and it triggered a whole new faze. He was always the one dependant on her to take care of his kids a few days each week while my husband and I have lived hours away for years and generally dont see her more than a few days every few months. But because she doesn't know who she is now that her reality has changed recently she is now pushing herself on me. Stepping on my toes, telling anyone with ears that I can't manage on my own, inviting herself to take care of my duties as a mother when the baby comes. Things I have every right to call her on and tell her to back off but because she is in an emotionally vulnerable state don't actually have rhe freedom to say anything. And my husband can see what she's doing but won't say anything to her for the same reasons.

And to make things worse, she is not just saying she wants to help out for my sake or for the kids or anything, she is telling people "if only I wasn't needed", making it sound like we are creating such a burden for needing her when reality is we don't need her. She just needs to feel needed, regardless of my feelings. It's at the point where she is cayenne me stress by injecting herself into everything I do while complaining that she "has to".

I feel calm and confident about this pregnancy and am very organised with everything, until she rings for the 3rd time that day to remind me that I "can't manage" while "interupting" her freedom.