My mother-in-law lived with us but didn’t clean because she considered herself a “guest.” I didn’t ask her to move out—it turned out to be a much more elegant solution.

When my mother-in-law moved in with us, she immediately said that she would not participate in household chores. She believed that since she was a “guest,” household matters did not concern her.

I tried to avoid conflict. Instead, I decided to approach the situation with humor and a bit of creativity.

At first, her visit was supposed to be temporary—she had sold her apartment and was looking for a new one. Her husband assured her it would be short-term. But over time, it became clear that her mother-in-law was in no hurry to move out.

She brought her own customs and rules into the house, not always taking into account that we were a young family with our own rhythms. I tried to be patient. But when she stopped cleaning up after herself, it really started to tire me out. The kitchen was often a mess, and she mixed up the laundry with ours, thinking I would wash it all anyway.

One day, when I asked her to throw a towel into the laundry basket, she replied with a smile,
“But I’m a guest. Guests are not asked to take care of the house.”

My husband didn’t interfere either. He wanted my mother to feel comfortable. But I understood that I had to draw the line somehow – gently, without any fights.

And then I had an idea.

The next morning I left a printed “breakfast menu” by her bed, like a hotel breakfast, with the simplest dishes. I added a note: “Welcome to the family guesthouse!”

When she came to the kitchen, surprised by this gesture, I said calmly,
“Since you’re a guest, I’ve decided to provide you with real hotel service.”

I stopped cooking for dinner. Instead, I left menus from local delivery restaurants on her dresser. I put up signs in the bathroom saying “Cleaning in Progress” to show how much work it takes to keep things tidy.

Finally, after a few days, I put a “bill” on her dresser for symbolic services: laundry, cleaning, shopping — of course, it was just a friendly joke.

The reaction was violent. But interestingly, it was after this conversation that the mother-in-law herself stated that she was ready to move out.

We said goodbye politely, without rancor. My husband agreed that I had done the smart thing—no argument, just showing a different side of the situation.

Now the house is peaceful again. And every time I pour my morning coffee, I smile—not because I won the argument, but because I was respectful and orderly.

This story is fictional and any resemblance to real events or people is coincidental.