Bea Lewis

Q: My husband’s son and daughter-in-law are building an addition onto their home and need a place to stay with their three rather rambunctious young sons during the construction. They asked if they could bunk in with us for about three months. My husband (their father) said it was fine with him without asking me. I love my home and work hard to keep it nice and tidy and dread the thought of them living with us. I’m afraid to turn them down because I am already the wicked step-mother. What are my rights?

A: This is your home, and it is your right to say who bunks in with you. Your husband should not have made the decision without first speaking with you. But that is water under the bridge, so to speak, and now you have to move forward. Invite the young couple over for coffee and in a kind and caring tone, explain that you would find it difficult to have them in your home for three months, but suggest some ways you could help them during this time – ie, making meals for them to pack into their freezer, having the grandkids come for sleepovers to get away from the mess, even giving them a gift certificate to a local restaurant to ease their cooking chores. Remember to ask them what other ways you can be of help. You may still be the wicked step-mother - but at least you’d have a neat and tidy home!