Bored Panda works better on our iPhone app
Continue in app Continue in browser

The Bored Panda iOS app is live! Fight boredom with iPhones and iPads here.

Man Ends Up Calling The Cops After Karen MIL Squats In His Guest Room And Refuses To Move Out
Older woman with glasses writing at table, reflecting a toxic MIL refusing to leave daughter's home scenario.

MIL Comes Over For A "Mundane" Visit, Then Refuses To Move Out And Wants To Stay There For Life

35

ADVERTISEMENT

Remember that old romantic comedy “Monster-In-Law” starring Jennifer Lopez and Jane Fonda? The main idea of ​​that movie was that any mean and entitled mother-in-law becomes so not on her own, but under the influence of someone else. For example, her own mother-in-law, thus continuing the vicious cycle…

Well, we don’t actually know who really influenced our narrator’s mother-in-law to become a true nightmare relative, but we do know that hardly any of us would want such a lady in our own extended family. However, let’s take things one step at a time and read the story together.

More info: Reddit

RELATED:

    Many cultural traditions, in fact, expect adult children to be their elderly parents’ direct caregivers, but what about parents-in-law?

    Image credits: freepik / Freepik (not the actual photo)

    The author of the post is married to a wonderful woman, they have 2 kids, and the couple’s only actual problem is the guy’s entitled mother-in-law

    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT

    Image credits: freepik / Freepik (not the actual photo)

    ADVERTISEMENT

    She brought them into trouble even at the wedding, when she threw a separate reception at her hometown and sent out invitations on their behalf

    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT

    Image credits: anonymous

    ADVERTISEMENT

    Image credits: DC Studio / Freepik (not the actual photo)

    ADVERTISEMENT

    Recently, the man’s parents gave them their old family house, and they’re now renovating it

    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT

    Image credits: tsyhun / Freepik (not the actual photo)

    ADVERTISEMENT

    The couple decided to invite the mother-in-law to spend a few days with the grandkids, and this was probably their biggest mistake

    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT

    Image credits: feepikcontributorthailand / Freepik (not the actual photo)

    After a few days living in the guest room, the lady claimed that the only purpose of her raising her children was to expect care from them years later, so now the author “owes” her free housing

    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT

    Image credits: anonymous

    ADVERTISEMENT

    After getting rejected, the lady locked herself in the guest room, and they had to get the police involved to move her out

    So, the Original poster (OP) got married a few years ago, and he and his wife recently had twins. The author was born into a fairly well-off family in a big city, while his wife comes from a poor family in the far rural province of their country. However, if you expected the difference in social backgrounds to be a problem in the couple’s life, you’re definitely mistaken.

    ADVERTISEMENT

    The author’s wife’s mom is the one who became a true problem. Even before the wedding, she caused them a lot of trouble by throwing a massive wedding reception and sending invitations to her numerous friends and relatives in her hometown. And, well, she knew that the real wedding was supposed to take place in the city where the author lives!

    It all ended in a huge scandal, but life goes on, and she was, after all, the grandma of our hero’s kids. So recently, he and his wife decided to invite her parents to stay at their home for a week or so. Especially since the author’s parents had recently given them their old family home, which the couple is currently renovating.

    And so, a couple of days after their arrival, the mother-in-law declared that she raised her children solely so they would support her in her old age. So, since the author married her daughter, he is now “obligated” to take care of her. And accordingly, she and her spouse plan to live in their house, in the guest room, from now on.

    Of course, neither the author nor his wife actually wanted this outcome. A huge drama erupted, and then the mother-in-law locked herself in the room, refusing to come out. The police were even called, who persuaded her to leave, then escorted her to the train station and on to her home province. It seems the couple would now go no contact with this lady…

    ADVERTISEMENT

    Image credits: freepik / Freepik (not the actual photo)

    Well, the world’s population is rapidly aging, so the issue of elderly care is more pressing than ever. In the traditional worldview, children become their parents’ caregivers, but is it ethical to raise your future nannies? In fact, modern society has no answer to this question.

    In September 2025, nearly 8,750 Americans took part in a dedicated survey by Pew Research, and it was found that 10% of respondents already care for a parent aged 65+. Moreover, almost a quarter of people with an elderly parent consider themselves a caregiver. In other words, parents’ expectations are often realized in practice.

    ADVERTISEMENT

    At the same time, there’s quite a difference between what aging parents expect and what their adult children, who are also faced with the burden of life during challenging times, raising their own offspring, and more, are actually prepared for. This NPR article reasonably notes the need for dialogue between parents and children to clarify and reconcile needs, capabilities, and personal boundaries.

    ADVERTISEMENT

    Well, no matter how pressing the issue of aging may be in our world, simply showing up and declaring that from now on you’ll be living in this house, and that its owners are obligated to care for you, is, you must admit, the height of impudence. And many commenters fully agreed with this, echoing the author’s indignation. So what do you, our dear readers, think about this case? Please drop your ideas in the comments.

    The vast majority of people in the comments sided with the author, claiming that his mother-in-law was nothing but a rude and entitled person

    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT

    Poll Question

    Total votes ·

    Thanks! Check out the results:

    Total votes ·
    Share on Facebook

    Explore more of these tags

    Oleg Tarasenko

    Oleg Tarasenko

    Writer, BoredPanda staff

    Read more »

    After many years of working as sports journalist and trivia game author and host in Ukraine I joined Bored Panda as a content creator. I do love writing stories and I sincerely believe - there's no dull plots at all. Like a great Italian composer Joaquino Rossini once told: "Give me a police protocol - and I'll make an opera out of it!"

    Read less »
    Oleg Tarasenko

    Oleg Tarasenko

    Writer, BoredPanda staff

    After many years of working as sports journalist and trivia game author and host in Ukraine I joined Bored Panda as a content creator. I do love writing stories and I sincerely believe - there's no dull plots at all. Like a great Italian composer Joaquino Rossini once told: "Give me a police protocol - and I'll make an opera out of it!"

    Monika Pašukonytė

    Monika Pašukonytė

    Author, BoredPanda staff

    Read more »

    I am a visual editor here. In my free time I enjoy the vibrant worlds of art galleries, exhibitions, and soulful concerts. Yet, amidst life's hustle and bustle, I find solace in nature's embrace, cherishing tranquil moments with beloved friends. Deep within, I hold a dream close - to embark on a global journey in an RV, accompanied by my faithful canine companion. Together, we'll wander through diverse cultures, weaving precious memories under the starry night sky, fulfilling the wanderlust that stirs my soul.

    Read less »

    Monika Pašukonytė

    Monika Pašukonytė

    Author, BoredPanda staff

    I am a visual editor here. In my free time I enjoy the vibrant worlds of art galleries, exhibitions, and soulful concerts. Yet, amidst life's hustle and bustle, I find solace in nature's embrace, cherishing tranquil moments with beloved friends. Deep within, I hold a dream close - to embark on a global journey in an RV, accompanied by my faithful canine companion. Together, we'll wander through diverse cultures, weaving precious memories under the starry night sky, fulfilling the wanderlust that stirs my soul.

    What do you think ?
    sweet emotion
    Community Member
    23 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    From the original story.....I too would like to know what FIL was doing during MIL's insanity. Sipping his coffee with his hearing aids turned off?

    Lee Gilliland
    Community Member
    Premium
    20 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Usually, if he wears them at all.

    Load More Replies...
    Kate Johnson
    Community Member
    Premium
    20 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Hopefully his wife learn her lesson and quit stupidly expecting a malignant narcissist to change their toxic behavior.

    Lee Gilliland
    Community Member
    Premium
    20 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That won't stop her. I had a narc as a dad. There's always something new.

    Load More Replies...
    Nikki Sevven
    Community Member
    17 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    If you're having children solely to have caretakers in your old age, you're doing it wrong. If you value your children as their own persons, support them, love them unconditionally, and treat them with dignity and respect, you might develop the kind of loving relationship that would prompt your children to care for you. Might. You should still have a plan in place for your own caretaking, since you're an adult and all.

    Load More Comments
    sweet emotion
    Community Member
    23 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    From the original story.....I too would like to know what FIL was doing during MIL's insanity. Sipping his coffee with his hearing aids turned off?

    Lee Gilliland
    Community Member
    Premium
    20 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Usually, if he wears them at all.

    Load More Replies...
    Kate Johnson
    Community Member
    Premium
    20 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Hopefully his wife learn her lesson and quit stupidly expecting a malignant narcissist to change their toxic behavior.

    Lee Gilliland
    Community Member
    Premium
    20 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That won't stop her. I had a narc as a dad. There's always something new.

    Load More Replies...
    ADVERTISEMENT
    Nikki Sevven
    Community Member
    17 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    If you're having children solely to have caretakers in your old age, you're doing it wrong. If you value your children as their own persons, support them, love them unconditionally, and treat them with dignity and respect, you might develop the kind of loving relationship that would prompt your children to care for you. Might. You should still have a plan in place for your own caretaking, since you're an adult and all.

    Load More Comments
    Related on Bored Panda
    Popular on Bored Panda
    Trending on Bored Panda
    Also on Bored Panda
    ADVERTISEMENT