My daughter-in-law often drops off her 6-year-old twins at my house, and they empty my fridge. I told her, “My house isn’t a free hotel!” She smirked, and the next day, I couldn’t open my door.
Looking through the window, I saw her inside, stacking huge boxes of groceries everywhere, blocking the door. She let me in and said she felt insulted by my request to pay for food her kids ate but not my grandson. To “compensate,” she bought enough food to stock my house for months, then left without another word.
While I appreciate the gesture, it felt excessive and like a silent protest. Since then, she’s barely spoken to me, and my son is caught in the middle. How do I repair this rift while maintaining boundaries?
Sincerely, Margaret
