‘My mother-in-law flirted with me the day I married her daughter’ – Coleen Nolan

A reader tells Mirror’s grieving aunt Coleen Nolan about a disturbing encounter with his new wife’s mother. He’s asking for advice because he doesn’t know what to do

To Coleen

I got married a few months ago and would be grateful if you could advise me on how to handle my mother-in-law dilemma.

She was always a bit flirty and at the wedding she said she would be there for me if I needed anything, adding that she “could keep it a secret”.

I was completely shocked. How to deal with that?

Should I tell my wife and cause a ruckus, keep quiet or just pass and do nothing?

What advice would you give? Have your voice in the comments

Coleen said

First of all, don’t panic! She may have had too many glasses of champagne and won’t recall what she said, or she may remember and be completely tormented in the cold light of day.

Maybe you’re putting two and two together here and getting five. Flirting doesn’t mean she’s really trying to sleep with you and destroy her daughter’s marriage, although I agree that’s inappropriate, especially at weddings! I wasn’t there to observe her mood and body language, so I don’t know if it was said in a silly, funny way or if it was a serious problem.

I think you don’t have to say anything, but don’t react to her flirting and be very clear about how you behave and how you treat your wife that makes you eye only her. Hopefully that way she gets the message.

It’s true that you won’t have to see your mother-in-law every day, but if she keeps saying inappropriate things, frankly tell her she’s making you feel very uncomfortable.

I suspect she wants to make a big deal out of it because she’s someone who looks bad and will cause a lot of trouble.