How My Mother-in-Law Ended Up Without a Home
Im convinced were under no obligation to support my brother-in-law and his family or to rent them a flat. Let me be clear from the start: I own the three-bedroom flat we live in now. I bought it in appalling condition before my husband and I ever married. Imagine, the front door was just leaning loosely against its frame! Still, I was pleased with the price, and over time, I gradually fixed it up. But thats not the main point here.
By the time I met my husband, Id already renovated two rooms and even brought in a bit of furniture. All things considered, the flat was already quite comfortable.
My husbandhandsome, broad-shoulderedhad been living in rented accommodation. A few months after we started seeing each other, he moved in with me. After our wedding, we turned one of the bedrooms into a nursery. Soon, I gave birth to a boy, and later, a girl.
Everything was idyllicuntil one chilly autumn evening when my peaceful household was upended by my mother-in-law. She turned up, tears streaming down her face, with her suitcases in tow:
Could I stay with you for a while? My sons brought some girl into my flat. I hope things work out for themwho knows, maybe shell be his wife and theyll grow old together. I promise I wont stay longIll help you, collect the children from school, cook for them, anything. Ive got no one but you!
She was weeping so much that we let her in. We gave her the largest bedroom. My husbands mother had been retired for ages; she did, as promised, help look after the children. She never went back to her own place, though, as her younger son was busily setting up his life there. He lived in my mother-in-laws one-bedroom flat with his young wife and two childrenone they had together, and one shed brought from an earlier marriage.
Years ago, my brother-in-law had married right after school, to a teenage sweetheart. My in-laws sold their own place, pooling the proceeds to buy themselves a studio flat and a two-bedroom flat for their son. Then my father-in-law fell ill and passed away.
My brother-in-law and his first wife had two kids, but eventually divorced. He left the flat to his ex and her new husband, who now live there with three children.
After the split, he went back to his mum and announced, Mum, Ill stay with you. Im single now, dreaming big! Ill sort myself out and get a place, I promise. But it didnt pan out. Months later he brought a new girlfriend to his mums tiny flat.
My mother-in-law, almost every weekend, would deliver my brother-in-laws kids from both marriages to ours. It was absolute chaoslike a madhouse.
A year later, we told my mother-in-law that she needed to sort out her living situation. Instantly, she dissolved into sobs, her distress bordering on hysteria.
I had to tell my brother-in-law it was time to clear out from his mothers flat. He dug his heels in, insisting he had children and a low salarycouldnt possibly afford rent. What am I supposed to do with that?
Lately, my relationship with my mother-in-law has been at breaking point. I dread coming home after work. I decided to have it out with my husbandtold him it was his responsibility to solve his mothers housing problems, or else Id file for divorce.
He was utterly stunnedhe hadnt a clue where he could put his mother. He couldnt just leave her on the street.
I suggested she could rent a studio, and, thankfully, we could afford to help. But my mother-in-law flatly refused to live in a rental. Instead, she demanded we pay for a two-bedroom flat for my brother-in-law and his family, so she could move back home.
I found that cheeky beyond belief. I made it clear: if she didnt leave within a week, Id put all her things out on the landing. What other choices do I have?
Surely, were not duty-bound to support my brother-in-laws lot, let alone provide them with a home!
