When my mother-in-law, Linda, moved into our home, I expected some adjustments, but I never anticipated becoming her personal maid. She had a peculiar habit of leaving her messes for me to clean up, claiming she was just a “guest” in our home.
At first, I tried to be understanding and accommodating, but as the days turned into weeks, I realized that Linda had no intention of respecting our space or helping with household chores. My husband, Jason, seemed oblivious to the issue, leaving me to deal with the situation on my own.
One morning, I reached my breaking point when I discovered that Linda had helped herself to my expensive coffee, leaving the kitchen in disarray. That’s when I decided to take matters into my own hands.
I started treating Linda like a true guest, providing her with a menu for breakfast, complete with options for cereal, toast, or a “chef’s surprise.” I also introduced a “housekeeping” system, leaving laminated signs in areas where I had cleaned up after her.
As the days went by, I continued to add to the “guest experience.” I stopped cooking dinner, instead providing Linda with takeout menus. I even presented her with a fake invoice for her stay, complete with charges for laundry, maid service, and coffee.
The final straw came when Linda realized she was no longer welcome to treat our home like a hotel. She packed her bags and left, leaving Jason and me to enjoy our peaceful home once again.
As I sat on the couch, sipping my special coffee, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of satisfaction. Linda may have thought she was too special to clean up after herself, but in the end, she cleaned herself right out of our house.
