When my husband’s mother, Linda, moved in with us, she made it clear she didn’t plan on lifting a finger to help with household chores. She claimed she was just a “guest” in our home and expected everyone else to cater to her needs. I tried to be understanding, but her behavior quickly became overwhelming.
Linda would leave dirty dishes piled up in the sink, toss her laundry into my hamper without asking, and make snide comments about my cooking and cleaning habits. My husband, Jason, seemed oblivious to her behavior, telling me to just “let her be comfortable.” But I was tired of being treated like a personal maid.
One day, Linda took the last of my favorite coffee, leaving me without my morning pick-me-up. That was the final straw. Instead of confronting her, I decided to take a different approach. I started treating her like the guest she claimed to be.
I created a mock menu for her breakfast, complete with fancy options like “Cereal & Milk – Served in the finest ceramic bowl.” I also introduced a “housekeeping in progress” sign, which I placed in areas where I had cleaned up after her. And, I stopped cooking dinner, leaving her to order takeout from menus I placed in her room.
The final blow came when I presented her with an invoice for her “stay,” complete with charges for laundry, maid service, and coffee. She was outraged, but I simply smiled and told her it was standard hospitality rates. The look on her face was priceless.
Jason finally realized what was going on and sided with me, suggesting that maybe it was time for Linda to find another place to stay. And, just like that, she was gone.
The house was peaceful once again, and I was able to enjoy my coffee and my home without the stress of having to cater to someone else’s needs. I learned that setting boundaries and being clear about expectations can be a powerful tool in maintaining a happy and healthy home.
