"Dear Forced, I really wish I could get a glass of wine with you and hear about a million more details about your relationship with your mother-in-law, husband, and even this poor, anxious dog. But in the absence of knowing how you feel about these mammals, I've developed a conspiracy theory: Is it possible your MIL brought Chari on purpose, knowing you'd have to leave, because she was craving some solo time with her son?"
"That's exactly the kind of stunt I could see some of today's overzealous #BoyMom parenting influencers pulling in 20 years when their beloved little princes grow up and get married. If there's part of you that thinks bringing Chari was a bit of light bioterrorism in service of mother-son time, I'd gently float the idea that your husband makes a solo visit out to his mom soon, or plans another trip with just her."
"My mother-in-law has a Chihuahua, "Chari," who accompanies her everywhere. She assured us that Chari would be staying with a dog sitter. Well, surprise! My MIL showed up with the dog in tow, claiming he "wouldn't be able to stand being apart from his Mommy." I ended up having to stay at my sister's, and a cleaning service had to be hired to purge the house after my MIL and Chari left."
Mother-in-law arrived with her Chihuahua despite promising to leave the dog with a sitter. Wife, who is seriously allergic to dogs and cats, had to stay at her sister's and hire a cleaning service after the visit. Husband sided with his mother and minimized the wife's reaction, even suggesting exposure might build immunity. A possible motive is that the mother-in-law wanted solo time with her son. The husband needs to recognize the wife's health needs, set firm boundaries with his mother, and plan visits that do not endanger his partner.
Read at Slate Magazine
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