So, the day before our holiday, my husband suggested we spend the summer at his parents cottage out in the countryside. You know, weve got two kidsa nine-year-old whos just started his summer break, and a baby, only seven months old, who would definitely benefit from fresh country air instead of the stuffy city. My husband promised his folks wouldnt mind at alltheyd be chuffed to bits to have their grandchildren around, and plus, they know exactly how exhausting little ones can be, so it wasnt like theyd expect miracles from us.
To be honest, I thought itd be a lovely way for us all to enjoy the summer together, so I didnt hesitate to say yes. As it turned out, though, I was way off the mark
The thing is, my husband and his dad didnt stick around in the country. Practically as soon as we arrived, they both dashed back to their jobs in London, only popping down at weekends. When they did show up, it was like they expected us to have everything sortedthe table laid, the house spotless, all the comforts on tap so they could switch off after a long week. So, throughout the week, it was just me, the kids, and my mother-in-law rattling around that cottage.
Honestly, my eldest could turn the tiny house upside-down in seconds, so I barely had a chance to restI was constantly on the lookout. And of course, with the baby, between the feeds and naps and making sure I was eating properly myself (otherwise, my milk would disappear!), the stress levels were sky-high, nothing like life back in the city. The whole enjoying nature vibe it just wasnt happening.
My mother-in-law and I divvied up the workshe took charge of the garden and the greenhouses, while I was left in the kitchen sorting meals and keeping the place ticking over. As for the kids, we tried to alternate watching them, but with the baby needing night feeds, Id collapse into bed by about nine in the evening, while she kept grafting outside. Every evening after settling the kids, Id check whether she wanted a hand, but she always waved me off.
I put up with all the constant little hassles and really thought we were getting along fine, her and me.
Turns out, I was completely mistaken. It all fell apart when my husband pulled me aside one weekend and told me his mum was cross with me. Apparently, she was fed up with slogging away in the garden all day with no help from me, just sleeping all the time. My husband even quoted hershe said a daughter-in-law should get up at least two hours before her mother-in-law and go to bed two hours after.
To cap it off, she was miffed I didnt make the kids beds after their afternoon napsshe reckons thats dirty and simply not done.
And, alright, maybe Im no domestic goddess, but I dont see why I should wear myself to the bone in the garden just to keep my mother-in-law happy.
