In-laws seem to be closing in on family
Dear Amy: My in-laws currently live six hours away. I like it that way.
They keep talking about moving to our town, but this would be at the cost of our relationship.
They're lovely people in small doses, but we lived near them for a year when I had my first child, and Amy -- it was awful. They often don't respect boundaries, and make everything about themselves.
My father-in-law can be especially obnoxious. He fights with me when he's drinking (which is every night).
My husband agrees with me about his folks, but it usually falls on my shoulders to stand up to them. We're happy where we are -- that's why we moved!
They feel like their oldest daughter and son-in-law (who live near them now) don't have time for them anymore. The thing is -- neither do I.
I would prefer to see them on our planned short trips two or three times a year.
I want to tell them to stay where they are, but I don't know how to do that.
-- Happy at a Distance
Dear Happy: Your in-laws seem to be fishing for encouragement, but in situations like this, it's important to remember that you don't have to bite every hook that dangles.
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