Difficult MIL

I thought we had turned a corner with my MIL .

Her and my husband have had a complicated

relationship the last few years.

We were all away on vacation together. My MIL

felt it was her job to look after her grandchildren.

I gently reminded her that was up to the parents.

She needed to look after herself. I made sure she

didn't miss out on the experiences she wanted, often

offering to watch the kids for her (not mine. We don't

have any yet). She told my husband she appreciated

me. We spent a lot of time just the 2 of us, walking

around cities and doing activities.

Then one evening I told her her I didn't want to

discuss politics in a room full of strangers. Suddenly,

I was the enemy. She got up from the dinner table and

stormed off. She wouldn't talked to us or make

eye contact with me. At first we didn't realize I was

the trigger. My husband found out but didn't say

anything until we got home.

I don't understand why she didn't come talk to me.

Maybe my choice of words could have been better.

Perhaps I didn't mind my tone as much as I usually

do. I didn't think I was rude. I didn't realize it would

make her so furious. She was so civil with my BIL

when she didn't like something he said. I feel as

though none of my efforts to bond with her have

meant anything. We are always going to be the "bad

son and daughter in law". We are always going to be

the evil son and daughter in law. I had finally felt good

letting my guard down. Now it's back up, and I don't

know if there's any going back.