My mother-in-law is coming to live near us, or with us, in the near future, due to failing health. Here's the problem, condensed. She is obsessive-compulsive, (we think) and in denial about it. She has gotten some quotes from several professional movers, which nearly caused her early demise. Her kids, my wife and her brother and myself, are fully capable of moving her stuff with a U-Haul, and we are all willing to do just that, until we figure in the OC condition we all labor under. We know from experience that she will not allow anyone to just come in and move her stuff out. She will have to literally oversee and conduct the labor, with many warnings about the value of the stuff. She'll say "that's too heavy, let me help". Just generally be in the way. We will all be taking time away from work to do this, so as a practical matter, we will have to get on with the job and get it done in a timely manner, just like the pro movers would.
Here's what I proposed. I gave her two choices; one, hire the movers, or, two, we would do it, but only if she were to go somewhere else and just stay away while we worked. Of course she was insulted and thought it was absurd, but I thought it was the only way to help and still survive. I still think so.
I am concerend about our collective sanity if we try to do it with her in the house. I do want to be fair, and respectful of my elders, and help where I can and should. But where is that point where it becomes too much to handle? All of us have a fragile relationship with this woman already, and I'm afraid if we don't handle it delicately, it could harm things beyond repair.
What would you do?
Here's what I proposed. I gave her two choices; one, hire the movers, or, two, we would do it, but only if she were to go somewhere else and just stay away while we worked. Of course she was insulted and thought it was absurd, but I thought it was the only way to help and still survive. I still think so.
I am concerend about our collective sanity if we try to do it with her in the house. I do want to be fair, and respectful of my elders, and help where I can and should. But where is that point where it becomes too much to handle? All of us have a fragile relationship with this woman already, and I'm afraid if we don't handle it delicately, it could harm things beyond repair.
What would you do?
