My husband John and I worked hard for four years to save for our own place. With support from my parents, we managed to buy a two-bedroom condo without a mortgage. Unbeknownst to us, my mother-in-law expected us to help her buy a property, claiming it was our turn. John firmly refused, stating we owed no one but my wife’s parents. Despite her pleas, he stood his ground.

Recently, we discovered my brother-in-law James hadn’t made necessary adjustments, leaving no room for us at his place when we got married. Despite this, my parents helped us, and we’re grateful. However, my mother-in-law’s expectations caught us off guard. John asserted his boundaries, emphasizing our hard work for our goals and our responsibility to his parents alone. Despite her attempts to play the compassion card, he remained firm. After she left, the issue no longer bothered us, especially since we learned we’re expecting a child soon.