*Diary Entry*
Unexpected Guests: How My In-Laws Turned My Home into a Canteen
I’ve never felt at ease around my husband’s parents. Their visits have always been an ordeal for me.
The moment they announce an unplanned visit, my stomach knots. I scramble for excuses to avoid them, but it doesn’t always work. Something about them just sets my teeth on edge. Constantly feeding them isn’t feasible, especially when they drop by uninvited.
My friend, Emily, has noticed my mother-in-law’s odd behaviour too.
“Jane, you always go out of your way to impress them—cooking something special. But your mother-in-law still finds fault. It’s disheartening,” she says.
My husband’s family has peculiar tastes. His mother is a perfectionist.
If there was an odd number of finger sandwiches on a plate, she wouldn’t touch them.
Grocery shopping with her was torture.
She’d spend ages scrutinising labels, insisting on the freshest produce, arguing with shop assistants over use-by dates.
My sister-in-law, Charlotte, was just as fussy.
She’d turn down most dishes, claiming diet restrictions or personal dislikes.
I grew tired of bending to their whims. My husband insisted on making separate meals for them, but I felt my efforts went unnoticed.
Then one day, his mother called, announcing they’d arrive in a few hours. I was furious.
“They didn’t even ask if it suited me. Just expected me to accommodate them,” I told Emily.
Taking her advice, I decided not to prepare a thing.
“If they can’t be bothered to give notice, why should I waste my time and money on them?”
When they arrived, they were visibly surprised by the lack of food. I suggested they either cook themselves or order takeaway. I put the kettle on, but the air was icy.
They left soon after, slamming the door. I knew they were offended, but mostly, I felt relief.
“I won’t let them take advantage of me anymore. If they want to visit, they’ll respect my time and effort.”
I resolved to talk to my husband—to set boundaries for his family’s future visits.
