Don't be fooled.  I have a d-i-l. who is a total control freak, manipulative, self-centered, narcassistic, liar, etc.
She lies to people about the truth, even to a priest, about how badly I treated her so she could get everyone to feel sorry for her.  She turns it around, so she's the victim.  She'll do anything to keep my son away from his entire  family.  She's told so many lies, and because my son is so enthraulled with his wife, and doesn't think she can do anything wrong, he believes all the lies.  You can't even talk to him, cause he doesn't want to hear anything negative about her.  He'll just hang up the phone.
She has turned him against his whole family.  I think Dr. Phil should do a story on real EVIL daughter in laws.

So don't be fooled by them, it may be all an act.  Sometimes they have a personalilty disorder, and really can make people beleive them.  I feel sorry for any family going through this because there is nothing you can do.

Well said. I think that mother in law feels she is not respected and she is being very defensive. A very sad situation, hopefully it can be remedied. I thought Dr. Phil failed.

I agree that a followup might be a good idea. To  see the mother-in-law in the most sympathic way maybe she is just very defensive. I thought she and her son were in the same business - I tuned in late - and maybe her dream was that her son would work with her. I think she may feel others,  - her daughter in law in particuliar look down on her and feel she is "beneath" them. She seemed focused on the fact that she thought her daughtet in law came from more money and expected to continue that life style. I felt Dr. Phil, when he pointed out that the daughter in law as a college educated and working as a nurse did more damage than good. He should have at the same time pointed out that the son's mother was hard working and praised her for the work she does and the skills she has. He was probably seen by her as putting higher education on a higher level and Mary, who works in a field that does not require a college degree, might feel defensive about that. I think Dr. Phil should have pointed out the mother;s work ethic being strong and that the daughter in law might have the same work ethic.

My guess is Mary feels she is losing her son and he is "rejecting" the life he had growing up. And that this "woman" has created the problem.... I think many sons (more so than daughers perhaps) move off in a different direction - they might have different opportunities than their parents (opportunites sometimes provided by those parents) but it does not necessairly mean they "reject" their childhood.  the trick is not taking it personally! MY Two cents!

How does this woman expect to have a relationship with her son if he undermines his business?

How does this  woman expect to have a respect for her family  when she is publicly bashing her son and DIL?

How does this woman expect to have a relationship with her grandchild when she attacks the grandchild parents?  


This woman is not nice, respectful or kind. Instead of promoting her son's business when Dr Phil said he was good she was basically saying she could do it better. I hope this guy gets a back bone and moves his wife and child away from her because she is abusive to the core and only feels good about herself if her son is struggling and sad.

Could not agree more!

Thank you for restoring my faith in human nature!

The mother's behavior does not condone the son's...it is a result of the son's.  And this does not condone the Mother's behavior.  The only book necessary here is the Word and it is clear on how you should treat your parents.  The son could turn this around with a little RESPECT.

I have seen Dr Phil literally chew people out who are not as horrible as this MIL. He should have told the couple to run for the hills and never look back. She seemed very vengeful and I wouldn't trust her.

If I was the daughter in law; it would be very hard not to have ill feelings toward this woman. My mother in law use to be aweful and didn't like me at all for about 5-8 years of our marriage. Never denied my husband from seeing his parents - I just didn't always go (i made excuses) if the weather was nice I would stay outside on the deck and eat etc...  I can say though she never out right to my face said she hated me. After years and it was obvious that our marriage was going to work, she started to improve and accept me slowly - we took baby steps and now we are very close and she calls me her daughter. She's been my mother in law for 20years now.

Dr. Phil really did not do his job- other than profound jealousy over the fact that Jen was raised with more money than many, I do not know where this hatred and venom are coming from.  I would absolutely love to see a follow up on this woman.  She very reluctantly said 'yes' to help but I am sure that she will not be open and honest with a therapist.  I feel sorry for this poor little baby- grandparents are such a blessing and look what she is stuck with!
Please, Dr. Phil, do an update on this one