**Diary Entry**
I left reluctantly with my son to visit my mother. My chest tightened at the thought of going, yet I packed our things and set off to Mums with Theo in tow. All because yesterday, while I was walking Theo, my husband, James, decided to be “hospitable” by letting his cousin Emily, her husband Gregory, and their two kids, Lily and Oliver, stay in *our* bedroom. Without even asking me! He simply said, “You and Theo can stay at your mumstheres space.” Im still reeling from the sheer audacity. Its *our* home, *our* room, and now *I* have to pack up and make way for strangers? No, thats a step too far.
It all started when I got back from walking Theo. Exhausted, he was whining, and I just wanted to put him down before enjoying a quiet cuppa. But the flat was chaos. Emily and Gregory had already taken over our room. Their kids were racing about, toys everywhere, while my thingsmy books, my skincare, even my laptopwere piled in a corner like I didnt exist. I stood frozen. “What on earth is this?” James, unfazed, just said, “Emilys family needed a place. Thought you could stay at your mums. Youll be comfortable there.”
I nearly choked on my anger. First, its *our* house! We bought it together, picked every piece of furniture. Now I have to vanish because his family fancies a holiday in London? Second, why didnt he ask? I mightve agreedafter a conversation. But this was an order. Emily, for her part, didnt even apologise. Just smiled and said, “Oh, come on, Charlotte, dont fusswell only be two little weeks!” Two weeks? I dont want them touching my things for a single day.
Gregory? Silent as a post. Slouched on our sofa, sipping coffee from my favourite mug, nodding along. Their kids? Disasters. Lily, six, spilled juice on our rug, while Oliver, four, turned my wardrobe into a hideout. I tried reminding them this wasnt a hotel, but Emily shrugged. “Oh, theyre just children, what do you expect?” Right. And its my job to clean up after them.
I tried talking to James alone. Told him how disrespected I felt, that Theo needed stability. Dragging him to Mums, where hed sleep on a fold-out bed, wasnt the answer. James sighed. “Charlotte, dont overreact. Theyre familywe help family.” *Family*? What about *us*? I nearly cried. But I gritted my teeth and packed. If he thinks Ill roll over, hes wrong.
Mum, Margaret, was furious. “James thinks he owns the place? Come here, loveplenty of room for you and Theo. As for your husband, hell answer for this!” Shed march over and toss them out herself. But I wont have a scene. I just need quiet to think.
As I packed Theos toys, he looked up with those big eyes. “Mummy, how long are we staying at Grandmas?” I hugged him tight. “Not long, sweetheart. Just till Daddy understands.” But deep down, I knowI wont go back until our home is ours again. And James will have to choose: his “generosity”… or his family.
**Lesson:** A house isnt just a roofits respect. And no one gets to give yours away.
