Yes, my MIL. We were all visiting with family and as we traveled in the car she started an argument with me. Then she started to poke me with her fingers and I warned her not to do it again. I take it my voice and tone conveyed to her sister that I was on the verge of hitting her.so she told her not to do it. She then ask, “what you are going to hit me:, I believe I said no but that I would break her fingers. Something to that affect. It was so long ago. I had to kept reminding myself that she was my husbands mother. So she kept yelling, you going to hit me, you going to hit me. In a high shrilly voice. Her sister told her to shut up before I do because she would have it coming. She said, that she was going to tell my husband. I said go ahead but I would tell him first.
I did and although he warned me never to hit her, and I knew he would, he also talked to his mom about never starting a fight with me because he can guarantee that she will hit her next time and he will take my side. He knew his mom started all the fights between us and he knew I did my best to avoid them. Later that bought about another argument where he told her off and insulted her in front of her family and they all took his and my side. My husband loved his mom but he refused to have her push us around.
He pretty much told her, my wife, my kids , my business and you need to stay out of it or this is the last you see of any of us. She knew he had a temper and would stick with it.
Best thing to do with a bully is be the bigger bully. Most bullies are cowards and the ones that aren’t learn not to mess with you.
Just to let you know. Over the years we have come to an understanding and she has finally come to accept me as a daughter, only with more respect than she gives to her actual daughter.