by A pregnant woman has gone viral on Reddit after comparing her mother-in-law (MIL) to Disney’s infamous villain Cruella de Vil, describing her as “mean” and overly intrusive. The post, shared to the r/JustNoMIL subreddit, has sparked widespread debate about toxic family relationships and the challenges of setting boundaries during pregnancy.
The Story Behind the “Cruella de Vil” Comparison
In her post titled “My MIL = Cruella De Vil,” the anonymous user explained that she has been avoiding her mother-in-law for months due to repeated disrespectful encounters. The woman, who is currently expecting her first child, said she hasn’t seen her MIL since early this year — even though the older woman moved just 45 minutes away after the couple married.
“I decided earlier this year I was done after two years of her living by us,” she wrote, adding that her mother-in-law used to live seven hours away before relocating closer to them.
The Redditor described the post as an “extended rant of recent events,” detailing a pattern of invasive and inappropriate behavior. “She tells everyone she is afraid of me. She poked my boob asking if they were mine,” the woman wrote. “She gets upset that my husband doesn’t want to go on solo trips with her — even though she’s remarried.”
The mother-in-law also allegedly claimed that “the mom comes first” and even criticized the woman for not allowing her to feed their dog chicken, despite the pet’s allergy.
Tensions Rise After Pregnancy Announcement
According to the woman, things escalated after she announced her pregnancy. Her MIL suddenly reached out, saying they “had to work on their relationship before the little munchkin came.” But the woman declined, unwilling to reestablish contact after years of tension.
“She’s been sending my husband messages asking to see him or for ultrasound pictures,” she explained. “He doesn’t tell her no — he just doesn’t respond. That’s honestly great because she rarely reacts if you don’t say no to her, until you see her in person.”
The mother-in-law’s persistence grew stranger over time. When the husband ignored her messages, she texted again, saying, “Can you at least send me pictures of you? I haven’t gotten any in two years.” The woman noted the irony: “We got married two years ago — and your son is 30.”
The poster added that she doesn’t want her MIL to know the baby’s gender or any personal details about the pregnancy, saying, “I see her as Cruella De Vil trying to take my baby away from me when the baby hasn’t even exited.”
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Strained Family Dynamics and Boundary Issues
While acknowledging that things “could be worse,” the woman admitted that her mother-in-law has few redeeming qualities and that her presence makes her uncomfortable. She even asked her husband to minimize how much he talks about her when speaking with his mother.
“I’ve asked him before to keep it short when it’s about me or the baby. Is it crazy to say, ‘Don’t talk about me’?” she asked Redditors.
Many users on the platform expressed support, emphasizing that her husband needs to take the lead in setting clear boundaries.
One commenter wrote:
“Your husband needs to say, ‘Mom, stop asking or worrying about my wife. You know how you’ve treated her — you can’t mistreat people and then expect things to fix themselves when it’s convenient.’”
Another person suggested a firmer approach:
“One uncomfortable conversation now could save him a lifetime of continued struggle. He can say, ‘Mom, you know why things are strained. I’m not going to talk about my wife or the baby with you.’”
The Bigger Conversation: Boundaries During Pregnancy
The post has opened a larger discussion online about toxic mother-in-law relationships, emotional manipulation, and the importance of spousal support during pregnancy. Many commenters pointed out that a partner’s silence can sometimes be misinterpreted as consent, and avoiding confrontation often prolongs the issue.
Experts often advise expectant parents to establish boundaries early — especially with family members who have a history of overstepping. Clear communication between spouses and consistency in responses can help prevent emotional burnout and protect the couple’s mental health as they prepare for parenthood.
Do you think the pregnant woman was right to cut off her mother-in-law, or should she try to mend things before the baby arrives? Join the conversation and share your thoughts at race-day-live.com.
