Although everybody wants to have a good relationship with their in laws, some marry into families with values and morals completely different to their own, making it difficult.
While one woman has been trying to make the most of her situation by spending time with her 'dysfunctional' extended family, her mother-in-law has not been holding up her side of the bargain and has been criticising her for the smallest of things.
Venting to Reddit, the woman explained how her mother-in-law has been pressuring her to rehome her beloved dog because his is "too big".
She said: "Our dog happened to be bigger than we thought he'd be when we picked him up.
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"He is still medium size, but on the larger side. He is about 22kg and 22 inches at the shoulder at 10-months-old - and very fluffy, which adds some size on him.
"This was unexpected but no real issue - after all, I grew up with a doberman and dog sat for a German shepherd and a golden retriever.
"We live five minutes away from a huge park and I like dog training. It's no big deal. But my mother-in-law does not approve of his size."
While her mother-in-law admits to liking the dog because he is "fluffy and adorable", she doubts the woman's ability to care of a larger breed.
She added: "We take our dog and her dogs for walks together. She makes comments like 'He's nice, but he's so big' and 'If only he were a little smaller.'
"At one point, when a chihuahua walked past, she said "That's the sort of size dog I thought would be good for you!" I try to ignore her.
"On our fourth walk together, and fifth day of having the dog, she starts saying 'Why don't you just rehome him? No one would blame you, he's so much bigger than you expected'.
"No mother-in-law, I am not going to give up the dog we just got who is still settling in because you don't think we can handle him.
"For what it's worth, he is well behaved for a 10-month-old. And regardless, we have had him for five days - that's no time for him to settle in, let alone do any real training."
Snapping at her mother-in-law, the woman said she will not be giving up her dog and explained how she is well versed at looking after larger breeds.
"I suggested that maybe she'd like to rehome her dogs because she obviously can't keep them under control," she said.
She ended up storming off leaving her partner and mother-in-law to walk her dogs alone - but later messaged to apologise for her actions, admitting her reaction was "childish".
However, this only encouraged her mother-in-law to reveal what she truly thinks about her - and her "oversized" dog is only the start.
Relaying her mother-in-law's message, the woman was told: "You only want to hear what you want to hear.
"I want the best for you but you stomping off like a princess and leaving my son embarrassed and looking all over the park for you is just childish, he doesn’t deserve this.
"I know how much he bends over backwards to try to make you happy, as do I, maybe it's time to grow up and step up?
"I’m sorry if this is upsetting you, and no I’m not being nasty, it’s just that you have needed to be told some home truths for a while now.
"You are quite entitled at times and unappreciative of what you have - maybe it's time to look forward, pull your weight and get on with life."
Unbeknown to the mother-in-law, her son cheated on her at the start of their relationship and she only found out when she happened to cross paths with the other woman four years later.
She also discovered her partner has been complaining about her to his mum in recent weeks, saying she doesn't do anything around the house and leaves all the cooking, cleaning and childcare to him.
In response to her mother-in-law's message, the woman vented:"He works full time, makes dinner, and takes my daughter to her other parent's.
"I do literally everything else - cleaning, tidying, laundry, raising the child, as well as being in college and working on getting into university.
"But hey, sometimes I leave the dishes in the sink and that means I am lazy and entitled.
"Sorry I struggle to appreciate your son considering he lied to me for years. It is something we are actively working on to get past.
"Of course, she doesn't have the full details of what happened because it's none of her business. Just the idea that she thought it was up to her to tell me this just.. wow.
"Every day is a struggle to get past this and try to deal with the fact that this other woman is still in his life. I really really try."
While most users urged her to leave her cheating partner, others shared their amazement at how she has tolerated such a 'dysfunctional' family for so long.
One user said: "What else could you have done but leave? You were getting no back up from your partner which means one of two things.
"He’s scared and doesn’t want to upset mommy or he secretly wants you to rehome the dog but due to cheating also doesn’t want to upset you."
Another added: "She sounds horrible. I know this is a bit obvious but never leave her to look after him - she could do anything.
"Can you reduce contact with her? If that's not an option, can you not tell her that her son made a big mistake and you're working to get through it with him so she needs to butt out."
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