Let’s be real: I’ve blocked my mother-in-law on Facebook, and honestly, it’s one of the best digital decisions I’ve ever made. For starters, it’s a preemptive strategy to keep her from seeing this post—and anything else I share online, for that matter. I assure you, it’s not done out of malice; it’s a measure of love—for her, for me, and for the sake of family get-togethers in the future. Think of it as a digital gift wrapped in a bit of self-preservation!
Here’s the deal: adding your mother-in-law as a friend on Facebook often leads to her combing through your posts. Especially those featuring her beloved grandkids. She simply can’t resist; those little ones are her world! But along with the joy of seeing cute family photos, there will inevitably be posts that rub her the wrong way. This can lead to a volley of passive-aggressive comments that escalate into full-blown rants directed at your partner, who will likely be horrified that you dared to speak about his mom that way. It’s a recipe for disaster!
So yes, I block my MIL on Facebook. And Instagram too, while I’m at it. My Twitter account is public, so I’m at the mercy of my 140-character limit there. But trust me, I’m no easy virtual friend. If you’re in my social media circle, you better be ready for some Outspoken Profane Posts!
I have a lot to say about pretty much everything. I don’t hold back against bigotry, racism, or sexism—because they have no place in my life or on my timeline. I share photos of my vibrant green hair and my tattoos, which often trigger comments from family members. And yes, I love to showcase my overflowing wine glass at any time of day with a cheerful “CHEERS!” to my friends. Naturally, I get the “Who’s watching the kids?” comments from family. Spoiler alert: it’s their dad and, of course, Dora the Explorer!
Here are five reasons why blocking your mother-in-law on social media might be worth considering:
- I may unintentionally hurt her feelings. Every time I post a picture of my kids having fun without her, I can sense her heart sinking. Why wasn’t she invited? The truth is, we just wanted some family time without an audience. Good luck explaining that to a doting mother-in-law.
- Our senses of humor are worlds apart. There’s a generational gap that makes it easy for me to accidentally offend her. For example, I might post a playful selfie with my kids, captioned, “To the little monsters who refuse to eat dinner…AGAIN! LOL #momlife.” Cue her response: “Oh, my little angels! Grandma loves you!” And just like that, I’m left gagging over her sweet comments.
- Our beliefs clash. Our backgrounds and experiences shape our views, and they couldn’t be more different. If I express support for same-sex marriage or criticize organized religion, I can expect a backlash in the form of a meme that says something like, “God loves everyone…except gay people.” I’m left fuming and deleting her posts while simultaneously feeling like a coward.
- I don’t want to embarrass her publicly. My relationship with my mother-in-law can be a bit dysfunctional, and I prefer that it stays behind closed doors. We don’t need the world judging our family drama, do we?
- Social media drama is everlasting. Once it’s posted, it’s there for good. I don’t want to be reminded of every argument or misunderstanding we’ve had, especially when I log in. Scrolling through old posts can turn into a painful trip down memory lane.
If you’re lucky enough to have a wonderful relationship with your mother-in-law, that’s fantastic—I’m genuinely envious! But let’s be honest; we all know someone who might benefit from a good ol’ block. Whether it’s a judgmental aunt or a cranky uncle, sometimes it’s best to take a step back.
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In summary, blocking your mother-in-law from social media can save you from unnecessary drama, protect her feelings, and maintain family harmony. It might just be the best decision you ever make for your online life!