I can’t stand my meddling mother-in-law

Dear Pastor,

My wife and I are recently married, and we are having problems. My wife is 24 years old, and I am 23. We are renting from my wife's parents.

There is a two-bedroom on the main house that my wife's parents built, and they rented it to us. It is very comfortable. I agreed to live there because we know her parents could get at least $70,000-$80,000 per month for the place. My wife wanted to be close to her mother during her pregnancy.

I love my mother-in-law and father-in-law, and I get along very well with them. My father-in-law told me I am the son he never had. He has three children, and they are all girls. My wife is due to have her child in one month, and I am looking for another place to live. My mother-in-law is meddling in our lives. She cannot let go and allow her daughter to make her own decisions.

If I get home after a certain time, my mother-in-law questions my wife about where I was. She has gone too far by suggesting that I might have found another woman, saying men go astray when their wives are pregnant and cannot give their wives the full hundred. I cannot understand why my mother-in-law cannot mind her own business.

I am going to leave this place. I told my wife that when we move, we would employ someone to take care of the baby while we are at work. I would give her parents notice so they can find another tenant. I love the area and where we live, but I cannot stand this woman.

Z E.

Dear Z. E.,

It is unfortunate that your mother-in-law is meddling in your life. The Bible says it is unwise for a man and woman to live with parents once married. A man should leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.

Your mother-in-law sees your wife as her daughter and believes she should obey her even though your wife is a grown woman. You cannot tolerate this nonsense.

Before making a drastic move, however, you and your wife should sit with your in-laws and tell them to allow both of you to make your own decisions. Inform them that if they continue to meddle, you will give notice, and also let them know you are seeking another place to live.

I believe your in-laws mean well and will hate to see you go, so please talk to them.

Bye-bye, my friend.

Pastor