In-laws are a little bit like Marmite, you either love them or hate them.
But even if you love them, it’s likely you don’t want to see them every single day – or have them living right next door.
One woman is currently facing this dilemma as her husband’s parents have purchased the property next to theirs.
She says she’s “dreading” them moving in and has gotten so stressed out about the situation, she’s even considering ending her marriage over it.
The mum-of-three revealed all in a post on Mumsnet, asking if she was being unreasonable not to want her mother and father-in-law living so close.
She wrote: “Just looking to see if anyone else would feel the same as I do about my in-laws moving to the house next door.
“When the house came up for sale next to us my husband’s parents showed interest, it needed renovation so I never thought them buying the house would happen (mother-in-law is very fussy).
“Anyway, they did buy it and have builders in there doing the renovations while they still live in their current house. Once or twice a week they drive down to have a look at what’s been done.
“It just disrupts my day as they expect us to go and say hello/make them a cup of tea, want to use our toilet etc. I know its not a massive deal but when I’m having a lazy day, no make-up, lounge wear on I just don’t want to entertain unannounced people.”
The woman went on to say that she’s really not looking forward to this getting worse when they move in and can tell they’ll be wanting a chat over the fence whenever she’s in the garden – and judging her when she sits in the sunshine with a glass of wine.
“I like my own space and feel they are going to invade it,” she added.
“It’s making me want to split with my husband who I have a great relationship with, it’s making me resent him. Am I being unreasonable or would you feel the same?”
Fellow Mumsnet users were incredibly sympathetic, with over 500 people commenting and many admitting they too would have an issue with it.
One person replied: “Quite honestly, I couldn’t cope. It would kill me, and probably my marriage too.”
Another said: “This sounds like a complete and total nightmare.”
A third suggested she move house herself: “Oh jeez. Time to start house hunting.”
“I love my in-laws but I would hate this,” wrote someone else.
However others didn’t think it was such an issue.
“We live close to in laws and I know friends who have in laws in the same street. It’s been fine for most people when everyone has an understanding on boundaries. eg no popping in unannounced,” responded someone else.
“I would just carry on as you are. If they see you drinking wine in the garden so what? If they know how many times you have friends round so what?
“You live your life how you want, if they start commenting in on it only then does it become an issue to deal with,” added a different user.
