Dear Massi, I don’t want to sound like I am jealous or that I’m being inconsiderate or petty.

But I am finding it difficult to deal with my mother-in-law.

We only live half an hour away from her, but only get to see her at the weekends.

Every Saturday and Sunday is spent with her.

Then during the week, she video calls my husband for an hour every evening.

She has nothing important to say, just talks about all the things she did that day, down to what she watched on tv, what she wore and every single ingredient in what she cooked.

Every time I hear his phone ring in the evening, I start grating my teeth. It’s too much. 

I don’t know how to deal with this without coming across as really selfish.   

Massi says, It seems your mother-in-law is feeling lonely and that daily interaction with her son is something she looks forward to.

Whilst you may feel this is encroaching upon your time with your husband, try and and understand that it is only one hour out of your day. Keep yourself busy during that time perhaps doing a hobby or something you enjoy so that you don’t feel stressed.

Why not join in the conversation in the video call so you don’t feel excluded. 

Understand that your husband is doing his part in looking after his mother and addressing this as a negative thing will only lead to friction.