In laws

@chicko (86)
India
April 2, 2012 9:30am CST
My husbands 2 sisters(married with kids) live close by and keep dropping in every now and then. He has supported them financially in the past and neglected his own life. Their husbands are good for nothing. They keep expecting financial help and emotional support from their brother. We are now married, but his sisters refuse to give us privacy and our own space. They treat this house like their parents house and think its their right to come here. My husband spends most of his free time making their kids quiet. Their kids are very naughty and bring the whole house down. The older kid wails from morning to evening. And their mother(my husbands sister) shouts even more louder to make him quiet. There is no peace in the house. Moreover there is added work to do because the house gets more messier when the kids come. This sister has her own house but not as comfortable as this one. Recently there has been lot of friction between my in laws and me because they had started expecting me to cook and clean while they did their own work. My husband and I are planning to move out. But I'm in a fix. This house actually belongs to my husband and his mother. But because his mom supports her daughters, they keep visiting very often. I feel like a stranger/guest in the house. I can't move about freely and I feel like I'm being observed. In short, i have to live here like a guest. Any idea on how to deal with my husband's selfish sisters?
1 person likes this
8 responses
@jjzone44 (917)
• United States
2 Apr 12
That is a tough situation to be in; being pretty much forced to play maid to other family units is not a good relationship. Years ago I was in a similar relationship, where we had a sister-in-law just drop in with her kids unannounced. She also had a penchant for planning activities at her home and just expecting you to make time to be there on her schedule. My wife did not see the harm in this, so one day I just planned to do something myself on a day that the sister-in-law planned something. Of course that was not met well by my wife, but I felt it had to be done, and it did end up tempering the issue quite a bit. Her brother and that sister-in-law have since divorced. In your situation, hopefully your husband sees the problem, and he has already set the wheels in motion for a solution. Moving out of a house that is owned by he and his mother may be a step in a plan that he has to remedy the situation. Supporting him in this decision would be wise, and talking with him about it may help. You just need to be careful not to push too hard; I think from your description you are right to object, I know I would, but you have to be careful not to appear confrontational, as you don't really know the extent of the relationship between he and the other members of the family. You wouldn't want him to sympathize with the sisters too much, and you end up appearing as part of the problem. It appears that the husbands of the sisters are the problem, and the sisters attitudes toward them. I guess they feel what the husbands are doing is fine, and leaning on the brother is fine as well. He needs to cut that avenue of assistance off, and a little nudging from you couldn't hurt.
@ravisivan (14079)
• India
28 May 12
I feel it will be difficult for her to return back to the house again and she may not get any thing from that house. if she is willing to forego then she can do that. she may get mental peace by going away. this is what is happening in all house-- But if some more tolerance is there then she can live in the same place entertaining others also.
@nanayangel (7879)
• Philippines
29 Jun 12
Hi there Chicko! I think the best thing to do is, just as you planned, move out. It does not matter if it is a comfortable house and even if it is your mother-in-law and your husband's house, but the fact that you can not have any privacy there means that it is not a home for you. It would be better to prevent further misunderstanding and just move out so that you can move freely as you can, you can do as you please, and you can lay your own rules out since it is your home.
@asdomencil (4265)
• Philippines
3 Apr 12
This is a tough situation for a wife like you. Living in the house of your husband's parent with in-laws nearby really needs lot of patience. Yes you can talk to your sisters in law but sometimes or often you will act as antogonist in their life. You must talk to your husband what are his plans. I think, if your privacy is already being sacrificed, you need to step-out of the house. However, you need to know your husbands decision in this situation.
@freymind (1351)
• Philippines
3 Apr 12
tell your husband everything that you feel. your communication should not cut because these are his sisters. also they are already with family and you and your husband are starting yours. i hope your husband have the balls to leave the house and find you a safer and quieter place. your husband need to be tough on this. he needs to stand for the both of you as you are one already since you are a married couple. he needs to have the initiative to talk to his sisters and tell them not to come to the house anymore as this is your home already. be honest with your man. and since he loves you i hope that he'll understand your point as his wife. for your own good let your husband handle this since its his family side. make him understand that he needs to tell them enough as he is already starting a new life with you. i pray that God will give you peace and that your moving out will be as soon as possible.
@ravisivan (14079)
• India
28 May 12
Chicko welcome to mylot. I was reading this I got an idea this resemble normal things I see around me. Then I found you are also from india. If you leave the house and go you may not be able to return and get back the house. your mil may give it to her daughters. If you are willing to forego that then no problem. You also visit their house often. The normal fights that you are mentioning will be there and cannot be avoided may be you should start enjoying them.
• India
3 Apr 12
Being like a guest in your own home is certainly not a very good condition. Well, see there are many ways in which you can handle this situation. Firstly, make sure that you have your husband's complete support. Whenever your sisters-in-law next seek financial help from your husband, ask your husband to refuse them. Make him understand that you both have to plan your future also. Ask him how would he react if you would start giving financial help to your siblings. Make sure, you never indulge in a fight with them. Try to handle them with soft, but smart words. Ask your husband to tell his mother that if she and his (your husband's) sisters would keep pressurizing you for work and will not give you your space and privacy then you both may shift to a new house.
@humairaku (2038)
• Indonesia
3 Apr 12
Wew..I think you have a tough life. It's better for you to talk to your sisters in law. But you should do it in a very good manner. I mean, I'm almost sure that your sisters in law dont like if you start discussion about their condition so they will get angry easily if you talk to them in bad manner. So talk to them patiently, tell them that you're annoyed with their attitudes. Dont forget to be accompanied with your husband during this discussion. If they cant accept this it's better for you to move from the house cos your life wont never settle well if your sisters in kaw keep bothering and always involved in every part of your marriage life. Talk to your husband too. Tell him about all of your problems. If he could understand you he will choose the best for your marriage. Good luck!
@Archaiwy (599)
• China
3 Apr 12
If i were you i would not hesitate to move out . I want a quiet place to live my own life. Driving others may not be polite.One can manage his own life. And i think everyone should respect each other.And everyone should be independent without rely on others to live.