drove me crazy, but I learned to live with it... not to mention made me feel like a terrible provider for my family because W was getting monthly "allowance"
Why?
She emasculated you because you felt she had the power to do so.
Don't blame others for your emotional well being. That is a crutch. An excuse.
A BUT
Why did you allow this? Why did you feel OK with your MIL coming into your home and making you feel inadequate?
Did you feel that way before she got there and she was merely confirming it when she took your responsibilities away?
When she gave your W money?
The toughest part of this sometimes is looking in the mirror Fire.
Sometimes very hard to see the person we are, mostly because we don't like that person, and we look to blame others for our shortcomings.
Where are yours?
My goal is to some day be the person my dog thinks I am
