Most of us know a mother-in-law from hell. She interferes, she meddles, she complains. She gives unwanted advice. But I'd put Alicia's mother-in-law against yours any day ...

Alicia had been engaged to Terry for a year before their wedding. "During that year, my future mother-in-law wasn't maternal, but she was sweet and my husband's sisters were distant, but they were teenagers, so I chalked up their behavior to their ages."

But on her wedding day, the gloves came off. During the reception, Alicia and her mother-in-law happened to be in the ladies room together.

"She felt it her duty to tell me that she thought my wedding dress was horrid and that even though people were telling me I was a lovely bride, they didn't mean it."

Alicia's been called "stupid, fat and ugly" behind her back and to her face. "As a young wife, I would literally shake during the car ride to any event, petrified of what was to come. The treatment I received was nasty, sneaky and insidious, and never in front of my husband. One of the sisters-in-law told me my whole duty at their family holiday party was to sit in the corner with my mouth shut and wait to clear the table. I would sob on the ride home, even if nothing happened, because I was so relieved it was over. "My husband would get angry with me because I was so nervous his family could not see the real me he loved."

Alicia and Terry's first child was born with a disability. "I was accused of causing it. Ironically, it was discovered that our child's problem is genetic and it's from their side of the family. Our other children are gifted, talented and kind but they're not the favored grandchildren. To hear my mother-in-law talk, you'd think having kids with two graduate degrees and being in law school is some sort of failure on my part as a mother."

Alicia, of course, has asked herself what her in-laws don't like about her. "I've pondered it for many years and all I can come with is that I'm different. They're a family of scientists and I'm an artist and musician. I'm talked down to or belittled."

Alicia and Terry have been married almost 30 years and his family has caused the only problems in their marriage. Terry is often in the middle.

"I wish he would just stand up to them, but he refuses to take sides. Still, I love my husband very much and he loves me. We have a pretty great life together. I suppose success is the best revenge."

Terry's parents are getting older and that has presented a new set of problems for Alicia. His sisters resent how far away they live. They say they need help with Mom and Dad.

"I told Terry I'll write a check, but he can forget about me doing anything else. I don't have any obligation."

Alicia says her years of hell have proved useful. "As a future mother-in-law, I've learned what not to do."

Do you have the in-laws from hell? Send your tale, along with your questions and rants to cheryllavinrapp@gmail.com. And check out my new ebook, "Dear Cheryl: Advice from Tales from the Front."

Photo credit: Quinn Dombrowski