DEAR ABBY: My daughter has been married to her high school sweetheart for 15 years. Their marriage has been rocky from the start due to her husbandÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œGodÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ complex. HeÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s a spoiled brat and a compulsive liar. He has not only caused mayhem in his own family but has nearly destroyed ours. He was extremely disrespectful to his late parents, and shortly after their deaths his bullying began being directed at us. Unfortunately, I have been the primary target.
As a career businesswoman, IÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™ve always been able to respectfully stand my ground. Because he cannot control me like he does everyone else, he degrades, ridicules and belittles me, hurling nasty language and offensive behavior at me at every opportunity. I have tried everything humanly possible to get along with him. IÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™ve been a kind, loving mother-in-law and grandmother to his children. My daughter canÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™t protect me, nor can my husband. IÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™m at the point of being willing to sacrifice my relationship with my daughter and grandchildren to get away from this monster. Counseling has given me tools to protect myself emotionally, but in the real-time situation they are not helpful. Any thoughts, Abby? ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥” BROKEN-HEARTED IN NEW ENGLAND
DEAR BROKEN-HEARTED: Your son-in-law is an elder abuser and probably a misogynist. The example he sets for your grandchildren is abominable, and they shouldnÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™t grow up thinking it is normal behavior. Perhaps itÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s time you model the behavior your daughter should follow and separate yourself entirely from her husband. See her one-on-one, if at all. If you would like a relationship with your grandchildren, leave it up to her to make sure it happens. In the meantime, if you have a will, talk to a lawyer about changing it to ensure her husband cannot gain control of your assets.
Contact Dear Abby at or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.
