In 2021 MIL had a huge falling out with my husband. She asked him to bring the kids to visit her during a big COVID wave. Our youngest was too young for a vaccine so our family all vaxxed and masked to keep her safe. MIL and her husband were anti-vax, anti-mask, vacationing in an RV park, posting to FB about boat parties, bars, karaoke, bingo, etc. My husband kept it simple - it would be too risky for our little girl to visit right now. MIL said it wouldn’t be risky because she always stayed home and didn’t go out around other people. My husband didn’t call her on the lie, but just stuck to it would be too risky. MIL ended up yelling at him about being selfish, unloving, and mis-informed and ended with “I can’t even talk to you anymore, I’ll call you when I want to talk” and hung up.
My husband and I talked about it after and thought that she should call and apologize if she wants to restore some sort of relationship. She hasn’t called since. Our cell phone number is posted on our business website homepage. Every few months MIL comments on our business social media: “I tried calling but I don’t have your new number so guess you’ll have to call me!” then “God gave us family and you’re missing it!” then “Gee I sure would love to be able to call and wish my grandson a happy birthday!” When my husband’s dad (MIL’s ex-husband) passed away a few months ago, MIL texted a copy of a FB post from my husband’s sister to my husband’s aunt and asked her to text it to my husband to “let him know.” (Another member of the family had already contacted my husband directly.)
Then a few days ago there was a card in the mailbox addressed to our youngest. When she opened it, it was an Easter card with a $35 check enclosed that said, “Dear
So it definitely seems like MIL thinks any problem is on our side, and we’ve had some people say “You should just talk to her, that’s family, etc.” So AITA for ignoring these attempts unless she actually calls?