I say MIL is a thief - DH says indian giver - what do you think?

[OceanAnnie]

Open up a Word document (or processor of choice). Type up a banner in big letters:

You are the
nosiest *&$%&)*^
@%*&@$#^&
in the world!!!
Get out of my stuff!
​

Print lots of copies and place them strategically in all of your boxes. Don't say a word.​

I didn't mention it earlier, but I got a good chuckle out of this one too!

 

[EthansMom]

My MIL was REALLY bad with the "giving kids a ton of crap" thing. Until I finally figured that I didn't have enough room for her junk, packed most of it up and took it to MIL's house "for the kids to play with there". Once I started regularly giving MIL back her crap, the amount that comes home from her house has dropped dramatically.

Regarding the OP: Your MIL has no reason to be upset. You did what you saw was appropriate with the toys. (Our family members KNOW that their gift is likely to get thrown out or donated before the next holiday/birthday in order to make room for the next influx, especially if their gift is one of those toys that only interest a kid for a short duration.)

However, I wouldn't trust the MIL in my home alone in the future. If she's snooped once, she's likely snoop again. I would make sure that my personal documents, jewelry, medications, etc... are locked away for any of her visits in the future. Actually, we lock our bedroom door anytime we have guests now.

 

[Disney Doll]

I'd probably let it go.

If she said anything to me, I'd probably say something like "Yes, I was quite surpised to find that you had snooped through my house. I was even more surpised to find that you were offended by the fact that Johnny had outgrown some of the stuff you gave him, to the point where you stole it. Now that you've given it back once again, I will tell you that as he outgrows things that ANYONE gives him, those things get donated so that others who may be able to use them can".

I'd also make sure that anything that I did not want MIL to see was secured when she was coming over.

 

[MosMom]

Orrr you COULD make a visit to the sex toy shop and leave stuff in all your drawers. If you come home and she is passed out near some drawers you'll know.

 

[just4today]

Orrr you COULD make a visit to the sex toy shop and leave stuff in all your drawers. If you come home and she is passed out near some drawers you'll know.

If it were me, I might install mirrors and a trapeze over the bed and see how she deals with that.

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

I vote for the lock on the storage closet in the new house. If asked, tell her that you are worried that your son might get hurt if he went into the closet. He could fall or have something fall onto him.

If I felt the need to put a lock on a storage closet, there's no way I'd start making up cover stories if she asked. If she asked, I'd give her the truth...she snoops, and I don't want her snooping, period.

Open up a Word document (or processor of choice). Type up a banner in big letters:

You are the
nosiest *&$%&)*^
@%*&@$#^&
in the world!!!
Get out of my stuff!​

Print lots of copies and place them strategically in all of your boxes. Don't say a word.

Hilarious!

Save your MIL some work the next time she comes over. Gather up things that she gave you but you are now planning to store. Place them in a bag and hand it to her when she comes for her next visit. Politely explain that you wanted to save her the trouble of going though your storage area. It is dark, cluttered and you are afraid she might hurt herself. See...you can be the thoughtful DIL.

That's my kind of "thoughtful." LOL
​

 

[ZipaDeeDooDah]

OP:

Politically correct issues aside - I do agree that it was wrong of your MIL to go through your storage and then spring the findings onto your husband (it is great that your husband shared this information with you).

It seems like she is trying to pit your husband against you, which is just wrong.

 

[raysnkaysmom]

I say let it go....but I'd probably put a lock on it to show you are in charge
And..if it comes up...oh..I'd let her have it

 

[CrzyforPiglet]

Thanks everyone for the helpful and sometimes hilarious responses - you've definitely given me some great ideas!

So I have decided to let it go - just being able to vent here made me feel in a way like I got my point across - so thank you! I'm doubtful she'll ever bring it up to me - she knows I'm pretty straightforward - but you never know and at that point yes she'll get an earfull, especially since she is always whining to DH behind my back that she wants us to be friends. I think she's always been sorta snoopy but never to this extent and as far as I know has never taken things from our house. I think I will put a lock on this little area under the stairs in our basement (gosh that sounds creepy). I doubt DH will notice and if he does I'll tell him why. My parents did that when we were kids and put all our Christmas presents there so its not a completely bizarre thought and it'll save me the trouble of doing it later when my son realizes what is in there.

And for the record I did think about the "indian giver" thing after I posted but wasn't sure what to change it to and then our internet & cable conked out on us yesterday and this is the first chance I have to post again. I guess by now most people have seen it so I'll just let it go.

Thanks again for letting me vent!

 

[aprilgail2]

"Indian giver?" Isn't there a better phrase?

oh pleaseeeeeeeee

 

[hentob]

If I felt the need to put a lock on a storage closet, there's no way I'd start making up cover stories if she asked. If she asked, I'd give her the truth...she snoops, and I don't want her snooping, period.

Well said! I would never give her an excuse. I would gladly tell the truth as to why I put locks on my storage.