Would you allow your mother-in-law live with you?

When in-laws come for a visit, it is important that you and your spouse schedule their visit when it is the most convenient for you and your family.

Do not permit family members to tell you when they are going to be staying at your house. It is up to you and your spouse to decide when they can come and how long they can stay in your home. Avoid scheduling a visit around times of the year that are the most hectic for you at work or the most chaotic for you at home.

If you do invite your in-laws around a busy time of year, such as the holidays, try to plan ahead and get as many things done in advance as you can so their visit will be less stressful for you.

If your in-laws live locally, agree with your spouse to set a time limit to your visit (spend just a few hours together) to avoid any painfully long or uncomfortable visits.

Whether your mother-in-law shacked up with you and your spouse to help with a new baby or moved in during a particular transition in her life, at some point it’s time for mom to move on.

Although it can be beneficial to have another set of hands or a wise adult in the house, living with your mother-in-law can be similar to walking through a minefield and it can also stretch even the most even-tempered person's sense of personal space.

No matter how good-natured and sweet she is, you always have to tread carefully because you never know when an explosion directed from wanting her own way or values imposed or an incursion on your space may occur.

Regardless of how complicated your situation may be, finding a tactful way to get your mother-in-law to move out of your house can be accomplished with the right approach.

Would you allow your mother-in-law live with you?

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