Why one writer temporarily moved in with her in-laws -- and why she left.
The days blurred; I’m not positive, but I think my breaking point occurred while washing a sink full of rancid baby bottles, the stink sending me into a burst of rage and tears. Although, it could have also happened when I disassociated while reading Brown Bear, Brown Bear for the thousandth time, watching my son heave every toy he owned out of his play crate. Either way, it was clear: the time to leave the city had arrived.
Despite this ominous background knowledge, I was ready for a change of pace. I looked forward to substituting frozen lasagnas and microwaved veggie burgers for my father-in-law’s dinners, backed by 30 plus years of working in the restaurant industry. My sister-in-law and mother-in-law are happy hour enthusiasts, like myself, so I was excited to have the company of proper drinkers, as my wife is rarely in the mood to imbibe. Being with my extended family has never been difficult.
About 12 days in, I woke up realizing my body and mind had reverted me back into my moody 17-year-old self. It was difficult for me to speak to anyone before noon, and I wore giant Beats headphone all morning, trying to avoid the cacophonous coughs and chomps. At the same time, I began feeling anxious at my clear inability to act as a useful house guest: I can be irritable, withdrawn, and I complete household chores either not at all or in a half-mustered manner.
It was impossible for him to be bored in this home. I may have melted into a general malaise, but my son was thriving. From a child’s point of view, multigenerational homes could be the perfect place to live. Even on my most frustrated days, tender moments occurred, like the time I caught a glimpse of my father-in-law singing and dancing with the baby in the living room. Seeing my son’s face beaming as his grandpa swung him around caused a momentary pause – I even considered moving in full-time.
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