Familycomes first, as we’re often told. But one man onRedditfound himself rethinking that saying after he and his wife offered theirin-lawsa place to stay during a rough patch. Instead of showing gratitude, they turned the house upside down, leaving behind a trail of broken furniture and missing items. After four months of chaos, they finally moved out, and the couple vowed never to go through that again.
Now, years later, the in-laws are back, asking for help once more. Let’s just say their request didn’t go over too well. Read on for the full story.
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The couple kindly took in their in-laws during a rough patch
Image credits:wikornr (not the actual photo)
Instead of being grateful, they trashed the place, leaving behind a trail of broken furniture and missing items
Image credits:Media_photos (not the actual photo)
Relationships with in-laws can be tricky
Image credits:Polina Zimmerman (not the actual photo)
While we choose our romantic partners, we don’t exactly get to choose the relatives who come into our lives as part of the package. This can make getting along with them a bit of a gamble. When things go well, it can feel like you’ve gained another family. But when they don’t, it can become a constant source of stress, as it did for the couple in the Reddit story.
Disagreements with in-laws are more common than we might think.75% of couplesreport having issues with an in-law, and in some cases, it can even lead to divorce. In the UK, about1 in 10 divorces cite interfering in-lawsas a contributing factor.
As Sue Johnson, the creator of Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy,explains, “We have a wired-in need for emotional contact and responsiveness from significant others.” When this need is met, we feel secure and fulfilled. But a difficult in-law relationship can threaten that sense of belonging and lead to distress. It’s natural to be unsure about fitting in with a family you didn’t grow up with, and if it seems like your partner is prioritizing their original family over you, it can create uncertainty, even when you know they care.
Moreover, it’s best to be thoughtful about how you express concerns about your in-laws to your partner. Constantly pointing out their flaws can be hurtful. Instead, it may be better to share your frustrations with a friend. If there’s something specific that needs to be addressed, bring it up with your partner in a positive, non-defensive way.
Finally, don’t be afraid to limit time with unsupportive in-laws. While it’s usually good to foster family ties, spending too much time with difficult in-laws can harm yourmarriage. In such cases, it’s better to prioritize your spouse because, after all, you’re married to them, not to their family.
Others agreed and many urged him to have an open discussion with his wife about the situation
Thanks! Check out the results:Gabija Saveiskyte
Gabija Palšytė
Monika Pašukonytė
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