Advice for a woman who married a mama’s boy and his explosive mother.

My mother-in law and I always have a misunderstanding whenever she pay us a visit from the village. She always find one or two excuses to attack me.  Last week, however, I was the victim of one of her vicious, unwarranted attacks—which my sisters-in-law had warned me about. She accused me of being unsupportive of my husband’s career, selfish for wanting him to accompany me on visits to my family, and dismissive of some of my nieces and nephews.

When my husband was transferred, I didn’t hesitate to leave my job, nor do I grumble much about his constant travel and long hours. I traveled to see his family more than mine.  Since I know the kind of woman his mother was, I avoid her insulting words  and whenever she start her trouble I try in as much as possible to control myself. I have a hard time doing the same, considering some of her comments were really cruel and unjustified. Also, I’m unhappy that my husband has not come to my defense. (He sympathized with me, but didn’t follow through on speaking to his mother.)

Aside from my declaration that we won’t be moving to my husband’s hometown until his mother is six feet under, what should I do? What should I expect him to do?

From Mrs X.