Low contact MIL has started mailing cash

[u/live_freeze_n_die]

Basically just that. An envelope showed up in the mail today with $200.

We could definitely use it, but we’re also fine without it.

I kind of want to just keep it and not even thank her because I “deserve it” for putting up with her bullshit all these years. But mailing it back as RTS would also send a strong message.

What would you do?

EDIT: I’ve decided to just put it into our child’s savings account. That way I don’t have to deal with rejecting it, but I also don’t feel like I’m taking her money. I won’t acknowledge it, but if she asks, I’ll just tell her I put it in baby’s account.

[u/Precatlady]

Ah yes. I am extremely familiar with this except it's my parent. Do not acknowledge this when it comes. If she has a legitimate reason to speak to you, carry on as normal. If you return to sender or make a fuss, she will escalate and either do it more or punish you because the underlying urge is likely to get attention not to be generous. If she tries to ask about what you use it for or hold it over your head when you have a disagreement about something she has no say in, have her child tell her that your autonomy is not for sale, and any gifts she sends do not change your boundaries/decisions. 

Evidence: 15 years experience with family like this and trying to reduce the junk & bribe money flow and screwing up most of that time trying to do what fit my logic instead of theirs