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My Father-in-Law Thought We’d Keep Supporting Him Forever – Eleven Years of Being Treated Like His P…
My father-in-law thought we would keep supporting him forever.
My husband grew up in a loving, close-knit English family. But when his father turned 57, he tragically lost his wife. Naturally, the loss was almost unbearable for my father-in-law. So, we decided to sell his flat in Bath, split the proceeds, and invite him to move in with us in Reading until he could find his feet again and, somehow, heal from his grief. At first, it seemed manageablealmost even good for everyone, a bit like an extended family holiday.
We imagined he might stay for six months, just long enough to get back on his feet and perhaps buy himself a new place. But things didnt turn out that way. He grew rather fond of living with us. He didnt contribute a penny towards the bills, or to the weekly Tesco shop. I cooked for everyone, did his laundry, cleaned his room. Hed go out to work, then simply relax. It was as if he were living at a seaside resort.
Thats how he stayed with us, under our roof, for eleven years. Over time, he began to lecture us endlesslytelling us what to do, how to do it, enforcing his own rules in our house. We couldnt stand it anymore. My husband and I finally reached breaking point. He was still perfectly healthy, not yet old or feeble; fully capable of living independently. We decided: it was time to buy him his own cottage just outside the city.
We sorted everything for himthe mortgage, the move, even made sure he had a lovely garden to potter about in. But as soon as he settled in, he started fabricating stories about heart troubles and other ailmentsjust excuses to come back and stay with us. It was always something, anything, to keep himself tucked under our roof.
But I cant do it anymore. Im exhausted. All I want is peace and quieta chance to finally relax and have my own little family life back, without feeling responsible for someone else. What should I do?
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