Dear Queenie,
My mother-in-law lost everything when my father-in-law died, because she never asked anyone for help or advice in handling her legal and financial matters. Now she lives with us. She had a job for a while, but didn’t keep it. She sleeps a lot and doesn’t do anything to help around the house. When we ask her to do something she acts like we’re picking on her. She is not that old, just 57.
Queenie, we don’t want to make her move out, but what can we do?—Frustrated
Dear Frustrated,
Your mother-in-law may be suffering from depression due to losing her husband and all that she went through afterward. Professional counselling might help and as long as she is staying with you, you are in a position to insist that she go. Your spouse should go with her at least once to explain some of her – and your – problems to the counsellor.
