Mothers -in-law are in a class by themselves. I was 25 with a newborn, mastitis, and two toddlers, and my mother-in-law called to tell me I had tied her son down with all these kids and he should still be going to "parties and dances". No, I did not marry the prince of wales. We laugh about it now, but it was incredibly upsetting at the time.

Some relationships never improve. Do not give her the power to hurt you and do whatever it takes to protect yourself. As others have said, sometimes it is better to let your husband handle her.