Before marrying my wife, Rachel, I spent three years working abroad. During that time, I managed to save up enough money to buy a flat. So, right after our wedding, we began searching for a place of our own. We looked for ages for somewhere decent to live, and finally stumbled upon a three-bedroom flat right in the heart of Manchester, close to a supermarket and a school. The only downside was that it needed a fair bit of renovation and the price was rather steep. I had enough saved for the flat itself, but not for the refurbishment. Still, we werent deterred; we decided it was the best option for us.
The rooms were spacious, and there was plenty of natural light. Once all the paperwork was sorted, we moved into our new home straight away, without thinking twice. Renovating the flat was going to take a while, so I asked my mother-in-law for a loan. My plan was to keep working overseas and pay her back quickly. She declined, saying she needed her money for her youngest daughter, who was still at university.
Four years went by like that. We did most of the work ourselves, slowly creating a comfortable home. We bought furniture and renovated bit by bit, working relentlessly throughout. Eventually, we agreed that we needed a car, so we put aside money for that, too. A few months later, Rachel told me she was expecting, and we were over the moon.
Recently, my mother-in-law started popping round every day. Every time, shed quietly say something to Rachel, but I couldnt hear what they were whispering about. It turned out that her other daughter was effectively pushing her out of her home. Shed brought her boyfriend to live with her, and they planned to get married. He didnt get on with his girlfriends mother, so he told her: either he stays, or the mum goes. Unsurprisingly, the daughter chose him.
Now my mother-in-law has nowhere to go. Shed handed all her money to her youngest daughter. That daughter refuses to move out unless her mother buys her a flat of her own, as the young couple dont want to live with her. So, my mother-in-law decided shed live with us. After all, our flat is spacious and theres room for everyone.
When I found out, I immediately said I wouldnt allow it.
When I needed help with money, she wouldnt lend me anything. Now she wants to live with us. I absolutely refuse. I just dont know how to convince Rachel not to let her mum move in. My mother-in-law has her own flat, so she should stand her ground and keep it. Let her daughter and her boyfriend figure out their own living arrangements.
