My in-laws are making various accusations against me [33M], with the most recent being that I am abusing my wife [30M].
Subject: Seeking Support and Advice Hi everyone, I've been happily married to my wife for over six years now. Unfortunately, her parents, particularly her mother, have consistently accused me of various things, such as using my wife for her finances, trying to control her, deceiving her, and isolating her from her family. Most recently, they've even alleged that I physically abuse her. In reality, I have been a loving and supportive husband, and none of these accusations hold any truth. They tend to imply their accusations rather than stating them outright. For instance, they might say, “You know, [my name], when a husband earns more, he often has control over the relationship” or “Typically, when couples move away and distance themselves from family, domestic violence is involved.” Their comments may not be direct, but the implications are clear. The latest accusation about domestic violence was especially upsetting for my wife, especially after her mother confronted her when no one else was around. These continuous attacks on my character are damaging not only to me but also to our relationship. After our most recent confrontation, I spoke to my mother-in-law to clarify that we moved for our own enjoyment and to have space in a state we love, which offers us many activities. I also expressed how these long-standing accusations have been hurtful to both my wife and me. Unfortunately, she seemed more focused on how my wife's response had hurt her feelings rather than understanding our perspective. We’ve been open about the fact that part of our decision to move was to distance ourselves from her toxic behavior, but she refuses to acknowledge this and keeps probing for reasons we chose to leave family behind—as if we’re the first couple to do so. This situation has been tough on both my mental health and my wife's. Currently, my mother-in-law has apologized to me; however, I've decided to go no contact for the next few months. My wife is taking a firmer stance and wants to avoid any contact for the foreseeable future. As for my father-in-law, he’s not much of a factor in this situation right now. For some additional context: my father-in-law has been diagnosed as a narcissist, while I suspect my mother-in-law may have chronic mania, though I’m not a mental health professional. Any advice on how I can effectively handle this situation and support my wife would be greatly appreciated. Correction: My wife is 30 years old—sorry for the typo! Thank you!