Every time my parents-in-law visited, my mother-in-law Monica took over our bedroom like it was hers—pushing aside my things, lighting her strong candles, and ignoring boundaries. After years of her behavior and telling me to “stop being dramatic,” I’d had enough and made a plan.
This visit, I told her the guest room was ready. She smirked, said, “We’ll see,” and once again claimed our bed, insisting the guest room had too much sun. I stayed sweet and calm, despite her criticizing my cooking, wine, and dishes at dinner. My husband Jake was confused by my composure, but I assured him I’d made “preparations”—nothing illegal, just a lesson in boundaries.
The next morning at 7:43 a.m., Monica stormed into the kitchen, pale and humiliated, Frank trailing behind her in silence. After a long, painful pause, she finally said, “We’ll take the guest room. Please.”