Am I the Villain for Snapping at My MIL When She Demanded a Key to Our House?
Let me set the scene. I (32F) have been married to my husband Jake (34M) for five years. Two years ago, after years of saving, we finally bought our dream home—a beautiful four-bedroom house with a big backyard, perfect for the family we hope to start soon.
Enter my mother-in-law, Diane (58F). She’s always been… a lot. But lately, her overbearing tendencies have escalated.
Last week, she dropped by unannounced (as usual) and started going on about how she wanted to redecorate “her son’s house.” I corrected her, reminding her it’s our house, but she just laughed it off. Then, out of nowhere, she hit me with:
“Sweetie, I’ve been thinking. Now that you and my only son have this big, beautiful home, I think it’s time you give me a set of keys.”
I was stunned. But this wasn’t a one-time thing. Every visit, she makes these comments. “Oh, my son’s house looks lovely!” or “I’m so proud of the home my son has made.” I’ve tried gently correcting her, but she never seems to get the hint. And worse—she does this in front of everyone.
But the final straw came during a barbecue we were hosting for Jake’s extended family and friends. Diane suddenly cleared her throat, silencing the crowd, and made an announcement.
“As the mother of the homeowner, I think it’s only right that I have a set of keys.”
Jake looked uncomfortable but didn’t immediately shut her down. Instead, he hesitated and whispered, “Maybe we should just give her a set to keep the peace?”
That’s when I lost it.
