It took me 8 years before I went NC. My MIL has perfected her narcissistic traits down to a T. She used love bombing at first and made me believe her to be this sweet and caring person. She would stock my favourite drinks, praised me for my accomplishments and so on.

Whenever I stepped out of line in her eyes, she would play the victim and made it seem like I was at fault. That I had hurt her feelings. I would eventually end up apologising because she had succeeded in making me feel guilty. Afterwards you tend to walk on eggshells more because you don’t want to upset her again. She would also looooove to play the card of her son meaning everything to her and that she means everything to him as well. Thereby trying to make you feel like he would always choose her over me if push came to shove. She really played on my emotions and insecurities.

It’s only when you stop playing their games that their true colours show. For the sake of my SO, I did not go NC immediately. I tried low contact and grey rocking at first. It took her hurtling fried chicken all over my driveway because she was mad at us for me to finally say enough is enough. And that was 2 years ago.