In-laws seem to be closing in on family
If they explicitly ask you what you think of the idea of them moving to your town, ask them a series of questions before you respond: Why do you want to move? What are you hoping for? What factors are influencing your thinking?
Just feel them out.
After listening to them, you should respond by being completely honest: "We all enjoy our visits with you, but I in particular struggled when we lived close by because I felt you didn't respect our boundaries, and I often felt crowded out. Living at a distance has been better for our relationship, certainly from my perspective. I don't know if moving here will achieve your goals."
If your father-in-law is a belligerent alcoholic, your mother-in-law might need more help or attention than you realize. Your husband and his sister should take a fresh look at their domestic situation to honestly discern if they are OK. The impact of his drinking will change over time, and you should all assume that the situation at their home might be deteriorating, which is why they are looking for a change. An elder housing community might be a good fit for them.
Dear Amy: I recently received a "Display Bridal Shower" invitation.
The invitation states to bring your gift, unwrapped and unboxed, to the shower. The gift will be on "display" for everyone to see so that there's more time to eat, drink and celebrate the bride-to-be.
The mother (my sister-in-law) included a "To/From" tag that is to be affixed onto the gift.
Doesn't this seem ostentatious? This mother and daughter have a history of being money-mongers, attention seekers, braggarts, self-absorbed and "trendy" to a fault.
I am uncomfortable with it. So are some other relatives.
Isn't the whole idea of a bridal shower to watch the bride open each gift, see the excitement and reaction on the bride's face, thank the giver and hear the ooo's and ahhh's from the guests?
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