My mother-in-law made the decision to move into my flat and hand her own over to my daughter.
My husband, Edward, was brought up in a large, boisterous English family. His mother, Mrs. Greenwood, kept having children until finally, she had a daughtera strange strategy, but hardly mine to question. Family games were the currency of her affections.
When we married, I thought myself lucky. Edward came across as reliable, brave, and steadfast. He understood what family meant, though letting go of his mother and his much younger sister proved impossible. Mrs. Greenwood was never particularly tender towards her sons, but for her daughter, nothing was too much.
Grace was only ten when I first met her. At the start, I tried not to mind, but five years on, she began to wear on me. She had no interest in schoolwork, kept company with all the wrong sorts in the park, and, inevitably, it always fell to my husband to sort out her scrapes. My sister-in-law could ring him at all hours, seeking help for the latest drama.
I hoped that Grace would mature, settle down, and that the headaches would fade away. But of course, they did not. When she finally got married, Mrs. Greenwood insisted Edward and his brothers help fund the weddingshe had no savings of her own. The groom was struggling too, earning barely enough wages, so newlyweds had no choice but to squeeze in with Mrs. Greenwood.
One child, then another. Eventually, Mrs. Greenwood realised life in those cramped conditions was unsustainable. Thats when she found what she called the perfect solutionshe would come and live with us in our two-bedroom flat, bestowing her old place on her daughter. But where is the justice when I was the one who bought our home with my own pounds, and Edward hadnt contributed a penny? Whats more, he seems pleased with this turn of events and says, My mum will help you out.
We have just two bedrooms. Im simply not prepared to surrender my comfort or share my home with anyone else. My mother-in-law is certain its our duty to take her in and, as Edward is the eldest, he should be responsible for her welfare.
I love my husbanddivorce is not on the cards. But how can I get him to see reason? How do I explain that sharing our home with his mother is nothing short of misery? Perhaps someone has some advice to offer?
