Is it normal to have 'copy-cat' in-laws??

I love my best friend to death, but sometimes I think she is a floor-mat to her mother-in-law. When her and her husband moved into their new house, her mother-in-law also wanted a new house (so she got one, bigger and better). When my friend decided to color her hair, her mother-in-law also colored her hair. When my friend decided she wanted to redo the landscaping 'asian' style and was looking over new designs, her mother-in-law beat her to it and now it's her mother-in-law with the beautiful Japanese garden. My friend has told me that this bothers her, but she doesn't think it's worth causing trouble. I know that to copy someone is the best form of flattery...but I think this is a bit much. Any advice??

Is it normal to have 'copy-cat' in-laws??
Yeah its normal to have copy-cat in-laws. I have some myself. The mother-in-law probably wants to be the center of attention in the family. She wants everyone to envy her instead of her daughter-in-law. When your friend wants to do something new, she should keep it to herself until she actually does it. That way her mother-in-law doesnt know about it and does it first. Get it?Or maybe not......?. ::}
Reply:Well talking it out wont work. Her mother in law will just say something sweet and go behind her back and do it anyway so...



have your friend think of something she always wanted that her mother in law could never think of. BUT SHE MUST NOT TELL ANYONE. not her husband, sibblings, brothers and sisters in law, friends, or people who know the mother.



After it is done dont let the mom find out until she comes over. then have your friend say it was there for months or something. If the mother in law thinks its old she wont want it.



OR!!!!! if you want to be divious, you and your friend go teepee her mother in law's house. Its childish but OH SO SATISFING
Reply:It is really your friends business and not yours, and I think that she is handling the situation in the best was possible.
Reply:I think your friend is doing the right thing. It would get a little old, but she can't tell her to stop. That might hurt her feelings, and it is a form of flattery. It's not like she's around her mother-in-law 24/7, so it shouldn't become a big deal.