Ive honestly had enough of you coming round every single weekend!
You might know the kind of person who genuinely believes the world revolves around them, and couldnt care less that you might have your own things going on. My brother-in-law and his entire family descend on us every weekend without fail. His family consists of him, his wife, their two children, and her brother. So, the whole troupe just shows up unannounced for a sleepover, never once bothering to ask if we have plans or if were even able to host them.
This circus has been going on for nearly a year, and I am absolutely fed up. I do love good company, but only within reason. Instead, I find I cant run my own errands or even get a moments peace for myself after a long week at work.
Rather than relaxing, Im stuck in the kitchen all weekend, playing hostess, making up beds for everyone, and then after they leave, Im left with mountains of laundry to do. Each time I ask myself: do they really have no idea how rude it is to just turn up without an invitation, never mind that were family? Maybe I wouldnt mind so much if it were once in a blue moon, but they show up at least three times a month.
Neither my husband nor I would ever do this to other relatives, so maybe we should have started turning up at theirs now and then, so they could get a taste of what its like. I begged my husband to speak to them, but hes at a loss for words because he doesn’t want to upset anyone. Or maybe, if Im honest, hes actually quite alright with it. Since my husband refused to help, I had to take matters into my own hands.
First, I stopped cooking on weekends, meaning the visitors had to make do with leftovers from the week. If there wasnt enough food, well, they could fend for themselvesI could easily go without.
One day, the relatives all sat down at the table expecting lunch, casting hopeful looks in my direction. I told them, quite plainly, that there was nothing to eat that day, so if they were hungry, theyd have to cook for themselves. Their faces said it all, but they didnt reply or cookthey just had a cuppa and went off to bed.
I also gave up on making the place spotless before every visit. One day, my brother-in-laws wife complained that her daughters white socks had turned grey. I simply told her that I hadnt had time to mop the floors, but if she was so worried about the state of my house, the bucket and mop were right there in the bathroom. That was the last I heard about dirty floors from her.
And, perhaps most importantly, I stopped putting myself last. I dont drop everything just because they turn up anymore. In the end, I deserve a bit of my own time, and I want to spend it with people I truly enjoy. Now, when visitors arrive, I sit with them for an hour or so, then excuse myself because Ive got things to do. My husband can entertain his family if he wants. And if Ive nothing special on, Ill deliberately start a bit of a deep clean, just so I dont have to keep socialising.
After one particularly awkward visit, my brother-in-law said to my husband, Looks like our times up, isnt it? Not quite sure how he finally twigged. Since then, our dear visitors only come after a quick phone call to check were in, dont stay overnight, and visit far less often.
Have you ever dealt with this sort of situation yourself? And if so, how did you handle it?
