Does your MIL ask you for favors?

[Anonymous]

My MiL asked me to iron my husband’s shirts so he doesn’t look like a mess at our upcoming trip.

Is this a reasonable request?

[Anonymous]

My MIL really wants me to take on the role of a traditional housewife even though I'm the breadwinner in my family. I don't entertain requests like this from her (of which there are many) because I'm not June Cleaver.

[Anonymous]

These are the types of things that you can let go in one ear and out the other.

[Anonymous]

Of course it's not reasonable. You should have said, without hesitation, "if you don't like the way he looks, you need to discuss this directly with him. He can do his own ironing" Say it once. Then ignore.

[Anonymous]

No, that is not a reasonable request, at all.

"Mary, Jim is in charge of his own clothing and appearance. We both do laundry for one another and the kids, but we each take care of our own ironing. If you are concerned about this, I'm sure you can take it up with him, but I think you'll find that--as an adult--he doesn't generally take grooming or fashion advice from others."

I don't ignore this kind of thing. I directly respond to it and make it clear that ours is not a 1950s marriage, and they should manage their expectations accordingly.

Now, if my husband ever asked me to iron his shirts as a special favor to him--because even though he sometimes irons, I do a better job--I would probably say yes. Just like he does special favors for me, usually when it comes to something he's just better at doing.

[Anonymous]

Sure.

"Honey, would you pass me that dish over there?"
"Could you hold this for me for a minute?"

[Anonymous]

Hahahahaha. Seriously, burst out laughing and tell her to take it up with DH.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My MiL asked me to iron my husband’s shirts so he doesn’t look like a mess at our upcoming trip.

Is this a reasonable request?

That's not a favor. That's a ... I don't know what to call it. I would tell her "You would need to talk to Scott directly if you have a problem with his clothes. He's in charge of his clothes."

[Anonymous]

I would cackle like a hyena at a request like that.

[Anonymous]

If she feels strongly that his clothing needs to be ironed, she can do so when y'all get there. Or maybe, just maybe, she should have imparted upon her son in his youth that a well ironed shirt can make all the difference in appearance and ironing is worth doing for special occasions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would cackle like a hyena at a request like that.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If she feels strongly that his clothing needs to be ironed, she can do so when y'all get there. Or maybe, just maybe, she should have imparted upon her son in his youth that a well ironed shirt can make all the difference in appearance and ironing is worth doing for special occasions.

+1

[Anonymous]

I am so glad I taught my boys to iron.

[Anonymous]

That is so funny!

[Anonymous]

I'd probably laugh and say "good one Mary!"

And then have to follow up with "well, I'm sure you taught William to iron right? So you can make that request directly to him"