My mother-in-law decided she rather fancied the idea of moving into my flat, handing her own over to her beloved daughter.
My husband, Richard, grew up in what youd call a bustling, chaotic family. My mother-in-law kept having kids until she finally got her daughterodd sort of determination, but who am I to judge?
When I married Richard, I honestly thought Id hit the jackpot. He seemed responsible, brave, steady. He actually grasped the concept of family, but there was never, not for a second, any talk of actually cutting the cord with his mother and younger sister. My mother-in-law didnt give two figs about her sons, but her darling girl was always number one.
Sophie was ten when I first met her. Initially, she didnt bother me. Five years on, well, things changed. Shed decided school wasnt for her, started running around with boys who probably thought GCSEs were a brand of trainers, and every minor crisis was apparently my husbands to sort out. Sophie could ring Richard at three in the morning, and off he went like a knight, cape flapping.
I hopedprayed, reallythat Sophie would grow up, find some nice chap, get married, and wed all get a bit of peace. But no. When she announced her engagement, my mother-in-law declared the brothers should chip in for the wedding, claiming she hadnt two pennies to rub together. Sophies husband was skint, barely scraping by, so the happy couple moved in with my mother-in-law.
First one kid, then another, and surprise! My mother-in-law realised, shock horror, it was impossible to all live under the same roof. So she hatched a brilliant new planshe would move in with us, and let her daughter and grandkids take over her flat. But heres the kicker: I bought our flat with my own hard-earned pounds, while Richard didnt contribute a single quid. And, funnily enough, he thinks this situation is marvellous, going on about how Mum will help you out.
Weve got a two-bedroom flat. I refuse to give up what little space I have or share my home with someone elses drama. My mother-in-law is utterly convinced its our duty to take her in, seeing as Richard is the eldest son and should, by tradition, look after the parent.
I love my husband to bitsdivorce is not on the cards. But how on earth do I make him see sense? How do I convince him that living with his mum would be the seventh circle of hell? Any sage advice from the British peanut gallery?
