Thanks to everyone for replying - it has given me a confidence boost!

I will take your advice on board and talk to her about it. She had a monster first child, then had my DH 2 years apart, then a 6 year gap between him and his sister, then a 7 year gap between her and his youngest sister (his mother is quite bitter about having 4 kids and going through several MCs in between).

She has often said how difficult she found being a mother and not being a "natural" at it. She has also referred to me in that way, but I always thought it was because I was career minded and not the SAHM-minded mummy.

It has been difficult because initially, DS was such a difficult bub, and we had NO family support - like your SIL Bekz. MIL only lives 30 mins away but I saw her only once or twice in the first six months. She never offered to help in any way, and I think she was keeping her distance for some reason - maybe after her own marriage breakdown and resultant issues she may have felt she couldn't cope or offer much support (I had been very supportive to her throughout her divorce, but it obviously isn't reciprocated ).

I guess I should put it down to "foot in mouth" as you suggest and move forward. I will talk to her about it, just to get it off my chest. Normally we get along very well, and like you say Niliac, we get along better than her daughters and me and my mum.

Oh well, it was just bad timing and I over-obsess about any slight on my mothering ability (it is one button just waving in the breeze begging to be pressed). Willow - it is not nice to have a dampener on what should be something so special.

Thanks again for your support, it really means alot to me