The meddlesome motherinlaw strutted in as if she owned the place, right up to the point where I decided to give her a taste of her own medicine.
Sometimes the enemy in a home isnt a stranger at all, but a motherinlaw with a sweet smile and a Tupperware full of dubious meatballs. Im Élodie, married for two years, and, as the saying goes, everything was fine between my husband and me until his mother started warming up our home far more often than we wanted. She was so persistent that even the mailman showed up less frequently than she did.
I was sorting pantry items when the doorbell rang. I opened it. Of course it was MarieClaude, my motherinlaw.
Élodie, hello, Ive made some meatballs! Fresh cod ones! she chirped, thrusting a plastic container toward me.
I sighed. My husband and I have hated fish since childhood. I was fed fish from the cradle, and he, the son of a fisherman, ate so much he practically grew gills. Wed talked about it countless times. Yet MarieClaude acted as if nothing was wrong.
MarieClaude, we dont eat fish you know that, I said.
But you cant just throw this away! Keep it, someone will appreciate it! she insisted.
It wasnt just the cursed meatballs. She started turning up more and more, unannounced, without even knocking, strolling in as if it were her own home and launching her inspections:
Oh, whats this cheese? Ive never tried it, Ill take a bite. And some salami toogo buy more later. By the way, I brought fishsharing is caring!
Each visit, her appetite grew. One day she arrived with a friend, no warning, no invitation.
We were at the pharmacy, wanted to warm up a bit. Can you get us coffee?
While I stood frozen at the doorway, she was already rummaging through the fridge, pulling out jam, cheese, biscuits, as her companion settled at the table.
I felt like a stranger in my own house. My husband raised his handsIts Mom, shes being nice. Nice? Id seen her hide our pineapple under her coat. This was no longer help or concernit was brazen intrusion.
So I hatched a gentle but precise plan. The next day I took my friend Nathalie, bought the spiciest sushi in the neighborhood, and, without warning, we showed up at MarieClaudes.
Hi, we were passing by and thought wed drop in! We brought sushiplease try! I said, sliding the platter into her hands.
MarieClaude turned pale. She loathes sushi; after one bite shes called it raw rats on rice.
Make yourselves comfortable, Ill see what good youve brought, too, I said, heading to her fridge.
I pulled out couscous, a Piémontese salad, a cakeeverything landed on the table. Nathalie was already laughing.
Oh, MarieClaude, does it bother you? I brought sushi, its only fair to exchange, right? I added with feigned innocence.
She stood rooted, speechless, finally grasping what it feels like to have someone impose themselves in her home.
I left, thanking her for her warm welcome, promising to return soon.
Since then things have changed. She calls before coming over, her visits are now rare and discreet. She even brings things we truly likeno more fish. Sometimes you dont need a big fight; a little mirror is enough.
The Overbearing Mother-in-Law Shows Up Uninvited to My “Welcome Home” Party
