How do I handle my mom-in-law's constant negativity and gossip?

Can you gat by with saying uh huh, uhhuh, not agreeing or disagreeing?

Hmmm, I don't think there would ever be financial issues serious enough to have my MIL living with me if she was reasonably healthy. You poor thing! I know she is a big help with your daughter, though.

My mother is a very negative person most of the time who rarely has too much nice to say about people, especially women. I just tune her out or leave the room when it gets to be too much. The negativity will certainly wear on you.

Disengage...there's always a load of wash that needs to go into dryer or something that needs to be checked in another room. I also used my iPod a lot, listening to an audiobook, so my mom got used to me running around with earbuds in. About family gossip, I'd mention that there are things we don't know so I cant really offer an opinion or pass a judgement....then leave the room. If she persisted when I got back into the room, I found a reason to leave again. And if need be, there's the direct approach, which is "yes, I heard that news story but don't choose to be focusing on that negativity."

Great advice!! Thank you! I will let you know how it goes:)