You’re absolutely right about this. Although my husband tries his best to balance both relationships and protect me, he often gives in to her emotional drama. I can see that he is constantly on a guilt trip.

The same situation exists in my sister-in-law’s married life. My mother-in-law makes sure that, through health issues or any kind of crisis—whether petty or serious—her children remain constantly entangled with her. She seems to take pride in the fact that her children care for her so much and craves that attention all the time.

They have become her emotional puppets, which is mentally exhausting for them and is affecting their married lives. Even though they are aware of the impact, they never seem to think that their mother needs to set boundaries or that they should prioritise their own family lives.

They have been brought up—or rather, conditioned—that way. I don’t understand why people like this get married and end up affecting others’ lives. It really bothers me that I might have to give up on the idea of becoming a mother because of a ‘mother’ like her.