Living with my son, his wife, and their kids seemed like the perfect solution after my husband passed away. But when my daughter-in-law laid down the rules, I was in for a surprise.
She sat me down and said, “Before you move in, there are some things you need to know.”
She sounded serious but polite. “First,” she began, “we have quiet time every evening from 8 p.m.
No TV, no kitchen noise, and definitely no loudness. It’s for the kids’ bedtime and our relaxation.”
I nodded, understanding the need for routine, but it felt a bit too strict.
“Secondly,” she continued, looking straight at me, “we’re a vegan family. No animal products allowed. If that’s a problem, we might need to reconsider.”
“And lastly,” she concluded, “since I work full-time, I could use help around the house, especially with cooking. I need you to prepare vegan meals every evening.” She handed me a vegan cookbook to get started.
I love my grandkids, and I wanted to be close to them, but these rules felt overwhelming and almost like I was being treated as a live-in maid in my son’s house, just to earn my place.
