Going to dinner on Sunday seems like a fair compromise when you hadn't even wanted to spend any time around your MIL at all. Is it possible for you to make other plans for the weekend so you have an "excuse" for not being there all day Sunday? Do you have some home improvement projects that need to be tackled?
If you all work together, why is it so important that you be there ALL day Sunday? Is this a family tradition or does your MIL just like to call all the shots? Also, why can't your husband stand up to his own mother? It seems rather inconsiderate of him to expect you to deliver the bad news...

Mother-in-law just likes to be in control at all times. Hubby is totally incapable...when he does try, she throws such a fit at him that he gives in. My father-in-law is an addict and they divorced in the last year. My husband has always been expected to "fix" or take care of his family since he was about 12 years old (mother and two younger sisters that are 24 and 28 with husbands and children of their own now). I on the other hand will walk away when she throws a fit. I had a mother very similar to her and left home at 17 because of it. I see my parents maybe once a year due to their fits and lack of respect for the boundaries my husband and I have set. Hubby just isn't there yet...I don't know if he ever will be.

Thanks for your comment. Sometimes I dislike my MIL so much that I start to wonder if I'm being fair or just being bitter. Thanks again!

I shouldn't have agreed to go at all on Sunday. My MIL is so mean. We were going to go at 4:30pm because MIL told me dinner was at 5pm. Dinner wasn't even started when we arrived at 4:30pm. We sat outside in 104 F heat (due to medical issues I can't be out in the heat for very long, Dr. orders besides I get very sick which my MIL is VERY well aware of) until 5pm. At 5pm, I left. I told my husband to call me when dinner was ready if inside. If eating outside, I wasn't coming back due to the heat. I felt alienated, livid, and sad that if I wanted to spend time with my children and husband I had to be sick or I was going to be treated like a leper if I left. I really hate that woman. Of course my husband felt bad but did absolutely nothing to protect me from his mother's crap. Dinner wasn't until 6:30pm. If I had spent 2 hours in 104 F heat, I would have had heat stroke and blood sugars in the 400 or 500s. I REALLY hate that woman.

Your husband needs to get his act together. Putting this all on you is NOT ok.

You need to be a united front on this (believe me, I know) or nothing will change.

I am SO sorry
Hugs
Kallie

Only suggestion is to pitch a loud fit right back at her. Something like "mom you know I can't be out in this heat...are you getting forgetful? Let's go inside for a while." put it right back on her in front of others. Even make comments like she is forgetting things to make her feel uncomfortable.

When you leave alone she wins. I would play the drama queen and make every one move inside. Then lay across the couch recovering.

Tigg2...you made me smile. Your suggestion is awesome. Thanks, I needed that.

Kallie...thanks for your understanding.

I thought the counseling was helping him... But he needs to stand by his wife. I know how you feel..I have MIL from another planet as well. I'm so sorry for what you went through. Hang in there, I'm sure it a matter of time when your husband tells his mom to fly a kite!

Nmous...thanks. Many days it's like one step forward and two steps backward. The whole Labor Day weekend issue was definitely a two steps backward.

I understand your situation. It's like your MIL wants all of you to herself, right? My MIL is like that. I had enough of her ruining my days, thus I cut all ties with her and i am very happy now.

Does your husband have any say in this matter? My hubby doesnt really stand up to his mother so I actually have to take matters into my hand. I am not letting anyone run my life and telling me what to do. Do what feels right for you.