Have my MIL staying with us at the moment, she's been before a few times, but this time she seems to be moaning about everything Canadian all the time.

She's very quick to point out any negatives and i feel like i have to justify everything all the time. I should just humour her and nod in agreement but then she'd use it against me.

We just had a conversation about school supplies, she was astounded that we have to buy them. "You don't have to do that in England" she barked. I said "Yeah but look at the state at the English schools, maybe if everyone bought their own supplies there, the schools could spend the money on some much needed upgrades".
"Don't have to pay nursery school fees in England", "look at that graffiti"(the one tiny bit) AAARRRRGGGGHHH

We have it every time she comes but she seems to be getting worse.

Does anyone else have this?
Just had to vent.

Hell yeah. This year was my folks third trip to visit us since we've been here. It was only this time that we managed to get away from the 'Canada vs UK' endless competition. I think that understanding that now we have a kid the chances of us moving back to UK are getting slimmer has something to do with that.

On a more practical note, point out to your MIL that my wife, when teaching in UK schools, had to buy her own supplies for her classroom - posters, wet playtime games etc. She has had to spend less doing the same here.

Ooh. Tell us more.

Ker-Plunk. Jenga. Board games suitable for Primary School children.

This too will pass. The great thing about moany visitors is that you will be happy when they leave!

My family have always been very supportive of my move here. It takes a while to adjust again when their visits end.

As long as you are happy in your life in Canada, then what harm can she do...

I know, you're right, and fundamentally she is supportive of our move here, it's just that she never has anything good to say unless you you prompt her to agree.

If it's any consolation, my m-i-l moans about Canada and she has never even been - Winter - "ooh, snow?? I couldn't be doing with that...", "ooh, cold temperatures?? I couldn't be doing with that.....". Summer - "ooh, mosquitoes?? I couldn't be doing with that......" "ooh, hot temperatures??, I couldn't be doing with that....."

I'd have planted her under the patio within a week of her arriving here, if she ever did come. So you are doing very well, just keep counting down the days!!!!

Lisa

Well. its probably not realistic to expect them to validate/ approve the move for you by talking up the many good things. I know its irritating, but as long as you see the good points, and you can somehow maintain a decent relationship with family, thats all that really matters.

Why don't you get her a user name and get her on BE? She could have a field day and whine to heart's content and have lots of support. You could start her off with bacon, baked beans, chocolate and so on. The list is endless. It would get her off your case. A whole new world for her LOL !!

She doesn't like ANY food here, so she would be in her element. lol

Just revel in the comfort that you don't have to see your MIL as much as you did when you were back in the UK!

Mine is due out for the third trip at the end of next month

Sounds very familiar - then they go back and tell everyone else how great Canada is

Green eyed monster perhaps?

It could be worse - we have MIL staying at the moment for the first time and she LOVES Canada - it is making me worried that she might want to move out here lol!!!

What is funny is the things she thinks are impressive - she says everything is so much bigger here, especially strawberries, tomatoes and bagels! And she keeps seeing ground squirrels and calling them meercats which apparently is hilarious to brits at the moment because of an advert called compare the meercat
And everytime someone asks how she is, she says: "I'm fine... I mean.. I'm good - that's what you say over here isn't it" - confuses the servers no end!!

Good luck with the rest of the visit!!

Could she deal with a country where you may need a block heater?

Do you suspect any of this might be due to jealousy? When I emigrated, a lot of people I knew tripped over themselves to point out how much better life was in Britain. Some were so persistent about it that I got the impression they were trying to convince themselves rather than me.

As in, I was off on a new and exciting adventure while they were stuck in the same place and they didn't like it. Even now when I go back over, complete strangers will, within minutes of learning where I live, launch into diatribes about how they "couldn't live over there" as if anyone is asking them to.

Kinda sad really.