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Living at Husband's Parents

User Profile: pandaprincess9
pandaprincess9 July 29th, 2022

Since early June my husband and I (who are both university students) moved in with his parents for summer. I've done everything I can mentally to try to like it, but I just... hate it here for so many reasons, some little some big.

1.) The first night we moved in my husband was upstairs talking about politics with his family, and I overheard his step-mom say something racist/xenophobic against Mexican immigrants. I'm mixed latina so it was really hurtful and honestly scary to hear her say that, since my living situation partly depends on her opinion of me (I think if she doesn't like me, she might kick me out)

2.) This one's WAY less important, but I don't even like to go inside. My husband's family is rich, at least richer than mine ever was, and choose to run the AC to keep the house at 63 Fahrenheit all the time. Sometimes it drops below that. For some people you might like that but please hear me out. Sweating is the natural reaction to being too hot, and what I found out is shivering is the natural reaction to being too cold. I go in and SHIVER every time (now think of every time you go somewhere, you start sweating and cannot stop no matter how much clothes you take off. would you like it??)! That just kind of sucks.

3.) My husband's dad is not as cool/kind/good as I thought he was. Against my better judgement, because my father in-law can afford it and my husband convinced me, I let him pay for my meals while I was at university this year. I was poor and on food stamps growing up and got into college with scholarships. I never thought I'd be lucky enough to have someone help me pay for food. NEVER thought I'd afford a meal plan. I told my father in-law that with tears in my eyes. A few weeks after we moved in he sat me and my husband down and said that we're not doing enough around the house (I work about 18-20 hours a week) and also made a passive aggressive remark that he "never heard a word of thanks" for his help in paying for food. When you thank someone with real tears in your eyes and then they turn around and do that, it really hurts and made me very mad. I've sworn off receiving any help from him after this summer that I'm living with him because of this. He continues to be passive-aggressive with my husband, and he and I just haven't spoken much since.

4.) My husband and I have no door, so we have to be quiet all the time. I feel like I can't even laugh at a meme without my husband shushing me, even if it's during the day. We can't really use the kitchen or even microwave without being a disturbance, so we haven't been able to eat as much. I shower MAYBE once a week if I'm lucky. Because of my work and volunteer schedule, I'm not usually home during hours when I'm "able" to take a shower because my father in-law isn't home and my husband's step mom isn't in there. I think about just bringing my stuff with me and showering at a gym or something after I'm finished at work so at least I can shower once a week, maybe more! And I don't even feel comfortable going upstairs to go to the bathroom. I'll probably have a UTI before the summer is over from holding it for too long. And I barely brush my teeth because I don't want to take up the bathroom for too long flossing.

I feel like he's really not on my side in the matter, but my husband says he's doing his best just to keep his dad off our backs. I've been on my own since I was 18, and this living situation is driving me crazy. If I wasn't married to my husband I would've been out of here before the first month was up. I feel like I have zero control of my life here, and I'm only happy when I'm not on this property. I hate living with rich people. They care about the stupidest most mundane garbage, and ignore the beauty of life. This probably isn't the case for all of them, but it is with this family. And I hate it.

2
User Profile: Cain96
Cain96 July 29th, 2022

I'm sorry to hear you're in this situation. This would drive me crazy as well. They want to feel like they're good people for giving you a place to sleep, and then they feel entitled to make you feel like shit for accepting their help. Only now, after you move in, he feels like you should be doing more around the house. The same house you're made to not feel welcome even using the kitchen or bathroom? That's a cruel way to treat anyone let alone family.

I agree that you should find another place to live. While this may be the most affordable for you at the moment, you would definitely have better peace of mind living somewhere you can call "home" and not just "house." If he's going to make you do work for him around the house, then really think about how much money you could possibly be making if you put that energy into a different job. Is it worth it to do free labor for him just to live there? Or would it be better to do work somewhere else and afford a cheap apartment? Whichever you choose, I hope things get better for you and your husband.

Best wishes, Cain

User Profile: heatlightning
heatlightning July 30th, 2022

It sounds like the main conflict stems from being all under the same roof and tensions mounting. For example, the difference in temperature control just adds insult to injury or fuel to the fire; if you didn’t live with them you wouldn’t notice this so much and wouldn’t have this small tension added into the mix.

It sounds like it’s a temporary living arrangement which is good as it won’t last forever. But it sounds it’s given you reason to think about who is parents really are and you didn’t realize all this before. Just remember that he is not his parents and a lot of what they say or so are generational things. I’m sure he’s not pleased with his mom’s racist comment nor his dad’s arrogance and ignoring your thanks, but if they support him his hands may feel tied. It may be good to talk with him about this not being a viable lodging option for you two in the future