Every time my in-laws visited, my mother-in-law would take over our bedroom without asking. She’d move my belongings, light her candles, and leave the room completely different from how she found it. For years, my husband and I tried gentle hints and direct requests, but nothing worked.
This time, I decided to take a different approach. Before their visit, I carefully prepared our bedroom to make it clear that it was a private space meant for us alone. When they arrived, my husband politely reminded his mother that the guest room was ready and comfortable.
But as expected, she went straight for our bedroom. Instead of arguing, I smiled and let her settle in, saying nothing. The next morning, she appeared at breakfast looking flustered and embarrassed. With barely a word, she announced that she and my father-in-law would move to the guest room instead.
From that moment on, they stayed there for the rest of their visit. By the time they left, my mother-in-law even thanked me for setting up such a “comfortable guest space.” It wasn’t about winning or losing — it was about finally establishing healthy boundaries. And judging by the text we received later, saying they had booked a hotel for the next holiday visit, it seems the message was received loud and clear.