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MIL Screams At Woman For “Not Doing Her Job” After She Teaches Family A Lesson
Mother multitasking with children playing around in a messy room, showing family living in filth as a lesson.

MIL Screams At Woman For “Not Doing Her Job” After She Teaches Family A Lesson

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Sometimes, you will need to light a fire under someone to get things done. It could be a subordinate slacking on the job, a partner who refuses to take the relationship seriously, or, as in the case of this story, family members who refuse to help around the house. 

A mom had been struggling to keep her household in order because her husband and four children didn’t do their part in cleaning up. Fed up with the disorder, she kept the house in a filthy state, sending everyone a message to finally take action. 

However, her methods didn’t sit well with her mother-in-law, who got herself involved and threatened to involve the authorities. 

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    Mother lets family live in filth while teaching a lesson as kids play messily and she talks on the phone sitting on floor.

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    Her husband and two older children refuse to pick up after themselves, causing her a great deal of frustration

    Mother lets family live in filth temporarily to teach a lesson about cleanliness and managing a busy household.

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    Text excerpt about mother letting family live in filth as a lesson, describing daily cleaning and family behaviors at home.

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    She opts for some reverse psychology as a last resort, but her methods cause a stir with her mother-in-law

    Mother lets family live in filth to teach them a lesson about responsibility and cleaning their own messes at home.

    Alt text: Text describing a mother using filth around the home to teach a lesson to her family about responsibility and cleanliness

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    Reverse psychology is a double-edged sword

    The woman turned to doing reverse psychology on her family, seemingly out of frustration and as a last-ditch attempt to get them to cooperate. And according to her, they were beginning to get the hint and devising a plan to deal with the mess. 

    The drawback of this approach is that it may backfire. 

    According to educator and mental health professional Kendra Cherry, MSed, reverse psychology may feel like a form of manipulation, especially when done often. It may also backfire when used on a person with low self-esteem who struggles to trust their own judgment. 

    Meanwhile, this tactic may be effective for individuals who are resistant to change. However, the approach must be more about reinforcing autonomy, according to Yale School of Medicine psychologist Dr. Michael Pantalon

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    In an article for Psychology Today, Dr. Pantalon emphasizes that using reverse psychology on a stubborn individual must be done in a way that does not make the other person feel like they are being coerced into doing something they don’t want to. 

    “Instead of saying, ‘You have to do x, y, or z,’ say, ‘Whether or not you do x, y, or z, is totally up to you; it’s your choice. I really can’t force you to,’” he wrote. 

    The woman’s approach was already working until the mother-in-law intervened and blew things out of proportion. When dealing with an overbearing in-law, trying to meet their expectations wouldn’t be a good idea, according to licensed clinical social worker Brooke Schwartz

    “Instead of doing this, focus on what you need and want in your life,” Schwartz advises, adding that setting boundaries is still the number one course of action.

    The woman did a good job standing her ground and letting her mother-in-law know clearly where the problem lies. Her strong reactions were understandable.

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    The woman provided more information about her story

    Online discussion about mother lets family live in filth, debating if it’s a lesson or a serious hazard situation.

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    Most people sided with her, as some people offered their advice

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    Miguel Ordoñez

    Miguel Ordoñez

    Writer, BoredPanda staff

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    Struggling writer by day. Frustrated jazz drummer by night. Space Cowboy 24/7.

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    Miguel Ordoñez

    Miguel Ordoñez

    Writer, BoredPanda staff

    Struggling writer by day. Frustrated jazz drummer by night. Space Cowboy 24/7.

    What do you think ?
    KatSaidWhat
    Community Member
    4 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    So husband finally stepped up when his own mother who didn't teach him how to be an adult wanted to report him to CPS for a situation this is largely his making? I say largely his because it sounds like he didn't actually do anything until that threat.

    Andrew Burke
    Community Member
    4 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I just don't get why 'men' have to be shown how to do something as simple as picking up, cleaning and so on. It's not so difficult. Okay, learning to separate laundry, maybe, but really all you have to do is wonder why there are different settings on the washer, and it should be easy enough to figure out. Even basic cooking skills are not beyond anyone. I mean boiling noodles and putting sauce on them - doesn't have to be fancy, but is a great help. Most everything is just plain old common sense.

    Andrew Burke
    Community Member
    4 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    ... and that's probably the problem ... common sense ...

    Load More Replies...
    Tabitha
    Community Member
    4 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Time for a large Chore Chart to be posted front and center on the fridge. Of course, the assigned chores will be age appropriate. Don’t do your chores? Well, say goodbye to the XBox or the internet (except for homework) or that dance or concert or allowance or whatever you wanted. Start doing your chores and carrying your weight in the family, and you will be amazed at the rewards. Basically, just because OP is a SAHM doesn’t make her the maid, and absolutely does NOT mean you can disrespect her by being a lazy slob. If you love her at all, help her. Running a household is a 24/7/365 JOB and should be respected. A mom who’s a SAHM doesn’t get a salary or vacation or sick days. Hell, she barely has time to shower, ffs. So lighten her load a little and pitch in.

    Load More Comments
    KatSaidWhat
    Community Member
    4 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    So husband finally stepped up when his own mother who didn't teach him how to be an adult wanted to report him to CPS for a situation this is largely his making? I say largely his because it sounds like he didn't actually do anything until that threat.

    Andrew Burke
    Community Member
    4 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I just don't get why 'men' have to be shown how to do something as simple as picking up, cleaning and so on. It's not so difficult. Okay, learning to separate laundry, maybe, but really all you have to do is wonder why there are different settings on the washer, and it should be easy enough to figure out. Even basic cooking skills are not beyond anyone. I mean boiling noodles and putting sauce on them - doesn't have to be fancy, but is a great help. Most everything is just plain old common sense.

    Andrew Burke
    Community Member
    4 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    ... and that's probably the problem ... common sense ...

    Load More Replies...
    Tabitha
    Community Member
    4 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Time for a large Chore Chart to be posted front and center on the fridge. Of course, the assigned chores will be age appropriate. Don’t do your chores? Well, say goodbye to the XBox or the internet (except for homework) or that dance or concert or allowance or whatever you wanted. Start doing your chores and carrying your weight in the family, and you will be amazed at the rewards. Basically, just because OP is a SAHM doesn’t make her the maid, and absolutely does NOT mean you can disrespect her by being a lazy slob. If you love her at all, help her. Running a household is a 24/7/365 JOB and should be respected. A mom who’s a SAHM doesn’t get a salary or vacation or sick days. Hell, she barely has time to shower, ffs. So lighten her load a little and pitch in.

    Load More Comments
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