I don’t hate my in-laws. They can be nice, generous people. But I am so tired of being the sole person responsible for managing them all the time. The biggest issue is that I work from home and my husband doesn’t. And he often works 6 days a week. So if they come over, I am the one who has to make them meals, entertain their conversation, provide for their needs, etc. My husband just gets up early, goes to work, and comes home at dinner, without a care in the world. Meanwhile, I’m trying to juggle 2 young kids, host 2 elderly parents, work full time, oh and maintain the house. Everyone acts like the in-laws coming over is somehow helpful because they “help watch the kids” and “help clean the house”. Its not helpful having 2 more mouths to feed!! It’s not helpful having to wash their extra dishes and extra towels. It’s not helpful having someone ask me questions while Im trying to work!! It’s not helpful having to plan my schedule around them!!
My FIL does jack shit when he’s here. He just sits on the couch and stares at his phone or puts on CNN. My MIL at least tries to help by doing the occasional load of laundry or dishes, but she often messes things up or has a million questions. Or she will try and rearrange things in my house which drives me batty. One time she rearranged a bunch of my kitchen cabinets. Nobody asked you to do that!!
Occasionally they will take the kids out of the house on a “field trip” to a nearby zoo or for ice cream, but after an incident where my FIL let my son ride in the front seat without a carseat, I’m not comfortable with them taking them places anymore.
And it’s not like they come over a ton, but during the summer it’s a lot because the kids are off from school. So they think that coming over to “help” is giving me a break.
I wish they would all understand that their presence here is more of a nuisance than anything but nobody sees it that way except me. Ive tried to explain this to my husband and he just doesn’t get it. He doesn’t see the imposition because he’s never here!
I’m just so tired you guys. 😩
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When the in laws show up tell your husband they’re his problem. If you can afford it take the kids and stay somewhere else for the time they’re here. If they have needs/requests they can call him or he can take time off.
Your in laws sound like mine. They are only allowed to visit during the hours my husband is home. Zero unsupervised time with kids.