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.

“This Isn’t Over”: In-Laws Treat Couple’s Home As Redecoration Project, Mad When DIL Bans Them
Sneaky in-laws arrive with luggage, hugging at the door, seemingly to stay and change the couple's home.

“This Isn’t Over”: In-Laws Treat Couple’s Home As Redecoration Project, Mad When DIL Bans Them

30

ADVERTISEMENT

When people are happy and live together in peace, any place can be made into a home, regardless of how big or small it is. That’s why so many folks are content even living in a tiny space, just because they care more about being together, rather than the place they’re in.

This is why one woman was angry when her in-laws kept trash-talking her small home, even though she and her husband loved it. So, she refused to let them stay over at the place, which unfortunately led to a fight with her spouse and a whole lot of drama.

More info: Reddit

RELATED:

    When people can’t stop giving their unsolicited opinions, it might be helpful to eventually set boundaries with them

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

    The poster shared that even though she and her husband lived in a small and cozy house that they loved, his parents kept finding fault with the place and their lifestyle

    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT

    Image credits: The Yuri Arcurs Collection / Magnific (not the actual photo)

    When the couple was planning a vacation, and the man’s parents asked to stay over at their place, the poster refused because of how they’d trash-talked the home before

    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT

    Image credits: Getty Images / Unsplash (not the actual photo)

    At first, the man felt that his wife was overreacting by wanting to set boundaries with his parents, but he eventually took her side and had a talk with them about the issue

    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT

    Image credits: gardengeo

    ADVERTISEMENT

    Unfortunately, the older folks reacted badly to the confrontation and revealed that they had been planning to secretly redecorate the place when the couple was away

    Since the poster and her husband had been living in a small, cozy home for quite a while, they had come to love the space and made it their own. They didn’t really mind other people’s opinions about getting a bigger house because this one suited them perfectly and fulfilled all their needs. 

    ADVERTISEMENT

    When it comes to tiny homes, interior design experts explain that couples need to be very secure in their relationship to live in such a space. That’s because staying in a small house could mean less privacy for both of them, but it can also foster a sense of togetherness and mindfulness.

    Unfortunately for the poster, her in-laws kept making mean comments about her home, decor, and lifestyle, which slowly started to grate on her nerves. Even though she felt quite secure about her space, she didn’t understand why they kept trash-talking the house and the couple’s choices.

    It can be difficult to deal with in-laws who keep saying rude things or always have put-downs ready, and this behavior can also affect the couple’s relationship. That’s why professionals advise taking space from mean family members like this and setting boundaries with them as soon as possible.

    Image credits: The Yuri Arcurs Collection / Magnific (not the actual photo)

    ADVERTISEMENT

    Even though the man’s parents kept criticizing his home, they asked if they could stay there when the couple was on vacation. This request rubbed the poster the wrong way, and she didn’t think it was right to allow them to stay in the house after all the trash-talking they had done about it.

    Unfortunately, her husband wasn’t on her side and felt she was overreacting for refusing to let his parents stay in the home. This worried her because she didn’t want a situation like this to cause tension in her marriage, but she also didn’t want to invite her in-laws’ criticism into her own home.

    When it comes to tense moments with a spouse’s parents, relationship experts state that it’s best to be honest with your loved one about how you are feeling by using ‘I’ statements. Once they understand your perspective, it will be easier for them to talk to their parents and enforce boundaries.

    Eventually, the man understood why the poster was against his mom and dad staying over, and he spoke to them about it. That conversation actually revealed their sneaky plan to redecorate the couple’s house while they were away. That’s when the man stepped in to set boundaries and also let his parents know that they needed to be more respectful in the future.

    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT

    Do you think there is a better way to deal with overbearing in-laws like this? We’d love to hear your thoughts on the matter and if you’ve ever been in a similar situation.

    Folks were shocked by the audacity of the older people to even think of secretly redecorating someone else’s home, and they felt that the husband needed to stand up to them more

    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT

    Poll Question

    Total votes ·

    Thanks! Check out the results:

    Total votes ·
    Share on Facebook
    Beverly Noronha

    Beverly Noronha

    Writer, BoredPanda staff

    Read more »

    You can call me Bev! I'm a world-class reader, a quirky writer, and a gardener who paints. If you’re looking for information about tattoos, Bulbasaur, and books, then I'm the NPC you must approach.

    Read less »
    Beverly Noronha

    Beverly Noronha

    Writer, BoredPanda staff

    You can call me Bev! I'm a world-class reader, a quirky writer, and a gardener who paints. If you’re looking for information about tattoos, Bulbasaur, and books, then I'm the NPC you must approach.

    What do you think ?
    Vinnie
    Community Member
    10 hours ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I don't know if the criticism of the husband represents the majority of the commenters or if BP editors chose them selectively. In any case, the husband eventually listened to the OP's concerns and supported her when she spoke to his parents. Let's hope it's the start of him standing up to his parents. His parents are likely to criticize them again and the couple will need to be united to withstand further attacks.

    UnclePanda
    Community Member
    Premium
    9 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The writer picks the opinions shown. It's pretty revealing if you think about it.

    Load More Replies...
    Sharkfin6
    Community Member
    Premium
    8 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Husband is an only child. Mom is jealous of wife for stealing her baby away. Dad in law has no spine, just like his son.

    ThisIsMe
    Community Member
    9 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I wish OP had offered an explanation for why the in-laws claimed they wanted to stay there in the first place. Clearly not to visit their son, because he would be away. No mention of pets. So what would be the point? Did I miss something?

    Load More Comments
    Vinnie
    Community Member
    10 hours ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I don't know if the criticism of the husband represents the majority of the commenters or if BP editors chose them selectively. In any case, the husband eventually listened to the OP's concerns and supported her when she spoke to his parents. Let's hope it's the start of him standing up to his parents. His parents are likely to criticize them again and the couple will need to be united to withstand further attacks.

    UnclePanda
    Community Member
    Premium
    9 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The writer picks the opinions shown. It's pretty revealing if you think about it.

    Load More Replies...
    Sharkfin6
    Community Member
    Premium
    8 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Husband is an only child. Mom is jealous of wife for stealing her baby away. Dad in law has no spine, just like his son.

    ADVERTISEMENT
    ThisIsMe
    Community Member
    9 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I wish OP had offered an explanation for why the in-laws claimed they wanted to stay there in the first place. Clearly not to visit their son, because he would be away. No mention of pets. So what would be the point? Did I miss something?

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