When my mother-in-law, Jane, unexpectedly moved in, claiming her house was ruined by a flood, I assumed it was only temporary. But her strange behavior and Joe’s guilty looks suggested otherwise. I felt overwhelmed by the boxes and her constant presence filling our home with a floral scent. Our peaceful space suddenly didn’t feel like ours anymore.

Her “short-term” visit quickly became permanent. She unpacked, decorated the guest room, and announced she was staying without even consulting me. When I asked Joe, he dismissed my concerns, saying it was nothing serious. Yet, the story about her luxury house flooding didn’t sit right with me. I suspected she had a hidden agenda.

That night, I overheard the real reason. Jane hadn’t come because of a flood she was on a mission to find out why Joe and I hadn’t given her grandchildren yet. Angry but calm, I chose not to confront her with hostility. Instead, I decided to respond with kindness. Step one: offer her our master bedroom and treat her like a queen.