One day, my mother-in-law, Donna, and sister-in-law, Marissa, stopped by without warning. They criticized my house and called me a “lazy” mother. I decided it was time to show them how much work I actually do, and I knew just how to make an impact.
From the start, Donna and Marissa never accepted me as part of their family. They made subtle, yet pointed remarks to remind me. Marissa would take jabs at me, while Donna often highlighted my lack of financial contribution and questioned my housekeeping.
Donna once remarked, “Must be nice to have so much free time,” without understanding what my daily life truly entailed. I remember glancing at the living room, cluttered with toys and work materials, trying to find the words to explain.
I balance a remote job with taking care of our kids, and of course, the house. But Donna only saw a mess, not the buzz of a busy household. Her memories of managing work and home while keeping everything spotless didn’t match my reality.
One afternoon, they walked in on a particularly chaotic day. Papers and toys were strewn everywhere, dinner was yet to be started, and Donna expressed her disgust, “What happened here?”
They remarked on what a state my husband came home to, and Marissa poked fun at our home. I tried to brush it off, but it stung. At the following family lunch, they brought it up again, humiliating me in front of my husband, who strongly defended me.
Sitting beside my husband later, we both recognized this had to change. He supported my plan to address the issue directly with them.
Coincidentally, I remembered all their streaming services were under my account. They used them happily, not knowing I funded them. It was time to remind them of my value.
Hours before the next episode of their beloved series, I changed the passwords, setting the stage for a powerful reminder of my contributions.
That night, I sipped tea and smiled, knowing they were likely struggling to log back in. My phone buzzed with notifications, but I was enjoying my evening too much to respond.
The next morning, Donna called, frustrated about being locked out. I calmly explained that those accounts were my responsibility, and perhaps I should act like the “lazy” person they perceived me to be.
Marissa accused me of being petty. I simply highlighted their past comments about me being a “lazy” wife focusing on their perceived lack of contribution. This time, the tables turned.
Despite their grumbling, they acknowledged their oversight of my contributions. The shift in power felt liberating, and they came around to appreciating what I do.
Donna even muttered a “thank you,” albeit reluctant, the next time we met.
In the end, I realized I don’t need their approval to know my worth. It’s nice to be appreciated, but the ultimate lesson was for them to see the true extent of my efforts.
