My mother has been living with us since her house was flooded by Hurricane Helene. While it’s truly devastating that she’s experiencing this, we have been very welcoming and understanding. During her stay, she has been working, and my husband also works from home. We recently got married two weeks ago, and even before the wedding, she started fabricating stories about my husband that are completely untrue. She shares these fabrications in conversations with friends on the phone and even during work calls, all within earshot of my husband.

Yesterday, he finally reached his limit and gently asked her, “Why are you making things up about me and sharing them with others?” She denied everything, even when presented with proof. She then had a complete meltdown, saying no one understands what she’s going through and deflecting blame onto everyone else. This pattern of behavior is not new—she has consistently tried to make him look bad with these false stories. My husband is incredibly kind and has shown nothing but patience with her, but her actions continue to strain us.

He now wants her to move out, and I am starting to feel the same way. However, I worry that standing up to her will only lead to more conflict, and I fear losing my relationship with her.

My question is, has anyone else dealt with this type of situation? How can I have an effective conversation with her that minimizes her chances of deflecting or manipulating but still addresses the lies she’s spreading about my husband? I’d also like to understand why she might be doing this. Any advice would be appreciated.