Mother Accuses Daughter-in-Law of Ruining Every Family Celebration

Your wife ruins all our celebrations, the mother declares to her son.

James grins at his mother through the video call. Harriet suggests we meet tomorrow at a restaurant or a café.

Good idea, Margaret replies calmly, but let Harriet pick the place herself beforehand so we dont keep changing the venue while ordering.

Weve already decided, dont worry. A new eatery just opened in our neighbourhood; well try it tomorrow, James says, his voice relaxed.

A new one, huh? Fine, send me the address and tell me what time my husband and I should arrive, Margaret answers resignedly.

Consider it done, James replies and hangs up.

A short moment later Margaret receives a message with the address and the time. She has two daughtersinlaw and one soninlaw; relations are generally smooth, except with Harriet.

The motherinlaw never meddles in her daughterinlaws life; she actually keeps her distance and speaks to her less often.

The problem is that Harriet has no table manners and lacks any sense of tact.

A few months earlier the whole family dined out, and instead of an enjoyable evening they endured Harriets whims.

She complained that the dish was unappealing, that the waiter didnt smile properly, that the menu was sparse. Because of the latter they had to switch restaurants several times that night.

Even then Harriet found something to nitpick. She ordered a salad and asked for no onions.

Your salad, as you requested, without onions, the waiter announced, placing the plate in front of Harriet.

Whats that on the salad? she asks, pointing a manicured nail at a sprig of dill.

Its a garnish of dill, the waiter replies, puzzled.

Did I ask for dill in my salad? Harriet purses her lips and continues to protest.

If youd like, I can remove it; theres no dill inside the salad, the waiter offers, thinking hes being reasonable.

Take the whole salad away, youve ruined my appetite Bring me a milkshake, Harriet commands haughtily, turning dramatically toward the window.

All her whims are fulfilled, and no staff member objects. Naturally the atmosphere of the evening is ruined.

Harriet sits with pouted lips and a hurt expression while her relatives eat and chat, making any outing with her feel like a punishment.

Even family gatherings are littered with mishaps; her capriciousness spoils every meal.

At her uncle Jamess funeral Harriet even manages to cause a scene.

Who cooked these pancakes? Theyre rubbery! she shouts loudly during the remembrance.

Darling, theres no need to raise your voice, just dont eat them, Margaret tries to calm her, noticing the sideways glances of other relatives.

Whats even worth eating? Id cook better for my dog, and the booze and juice are cheap anyway. Ugh, Harriet retorts disdainfully.

Were here to remember a person, not to eat, so please show some respect and stop complaining, the motherinlaw says softly.

Thats the point! They invited us to remember, but theres nothing to remember, Harriet mutters sadly.

It seems the awkward moment has passed, but it hasnt.

Later several relatives call Margaret, outraged, telling her how Jamess wife has been complaining about the food wherever they go.

Harriet feels ashamed and swears she will never bring her daughterinlaw to such events again.

Her motherinlaws birthday approaches, and Harriet and James plan to attend the family dinner.

Knowing this, Margaret tells everyone shes ill and postpones the celebration indefinitely.

She knows James is due to leave on a work trip at the end of the month, a moment shes been waiting for.

Margaret quietly devises a clever plan to celebrate her birthday without Harriet.

As soon as James calls his mother from another city, she immediately sends invitations to the other children.

Harriet, of course, receives no notice about the family party.

Margarets birthday passes in a cheerful setting, free of disgruntled guests.

No one has to listen to complaints about food or drink, and for the first time in two years she actually relaxes with her children.

But the brief happiness costs her the next day.

One of the guests posts photos from the party on social media, and Harriet spots them.

Hello, Margaret, did you celebrate your birthday? Harriet asks, her tone hurtful.

Yes, why do you ask? It was delayed for weeks, Margaret replies without objection.

Why wasnt I invited?

James was away on business, and we thought youd be bored alone

Im never bored with you, so why didnt you wait for James to return? Harriet retorts suspiciously.

Why, why Because his wife spoils every celebration with her sour face! Margaret blurted, then immediately regretted it.

What? Thats me? I thought you were a good woman, not a snake, Harriet sobs and hangs up.

A few hours later James calls his mother, ready to lecture her.

Why do you treat my wife like that? What have we done to you? he asks, irritated.

You havent done anything, but Harriet constantly ruins celebrations, and you cant put her in her place, Margaret replies, laying out the facts.

How does she ruin them? James asks, bewildered.

Her whims and nitpicking. You cant even go to a restaurant with her, let alone sit at a dinner table at home. Shes always complaining and never satisfied, Margaret finally explains.

Shes just straightforward and honest, unlike you, and she treated you like a mother, James counters.

Straightforwardness and rudeness are not the same. If she wants to be like a daughter to me, she should behave accordingly, not like a petulant child! Margaret snaps.

Fine, Ill keep an eye on her and teach her how to behave. In return, promise to always invite Harriet to celebrations, James says, softening his tone.

Alright, but only under your responsibility. Well see how it goes at the next dinner, Margaret agrees, though her heart tightens.

Of course Harriet doesnt change; she tries to be restrained but still makes scenes, and she does so poorly.

Margaret can only shake her head and try to ignore her daughterinlaws outbursts.

She no longer wants to argue with James, so she chooses the lesser of two evils.