I told my wife that was completely unacceptable, and as some people said, I took the high road in not slapping her back. I began an argument with my wife about it, and it got a bit intense. I told her that her mother could not come back, and she got quite angry. I went into the living room and began to cry. This is what gets me. What she did taught him the wrong thing. My son came in, said "Man up, daddy!" and tried to slap me, but he's little so it didn't hurt. But anyway, I got even more furious that he had learnt something from it. The argument ensued. Things are a bit cold. Sleeping on the sofa now but I told my son it's okay to be upset. Buried the dog, and needless to say my MIL is not invited back for a little while.

When I said "Slapping her back" I meant my MIL, not my wife.

Wait, your wife actually defended her mother? What the hell. I get that it's her mom and all, but she should be putting her kid's safety above her mom's opinion of her as well as her own pride. I'm really sorry to hear that things aren't turning out for you or your kid, OP. I hope things start to get better and your wife and MIL will realize what they have done wrong. But I am happy that you were able to reassure your son and bury your dog.

You'd think your wife would talk to her mother about why what she did to not only yours, but HER son.

What the hell!!! Your wife is a bitch, too, just like the mother-in-law! Make HER sleep on the sofa! This makes me angry that she would defend such a horrible person slapping her son when he cries! Honestly, she needs to be corrected, too! Damn, what ******* bitches your son has as family!

I'm so sorry your wife doesn't get it OP. But I hope you were able to teach your son that slapping people is never ok!

She should be sleeping on the couch.

your mother in law sounds like a real b***h.....she was totally wrong

She's one of those abominations known as monster in laws.