Relative buying new house because kids trashed current one, good idea, will it happen again?

Question

My mother in law's house is a nightmare. I nearly died living there. I could have caught diseases if I wasn't so clean in my personal 10 foot by 10 foot bedroom and ajoining shared bathroom. Her kids are 8, 9, and 16. My husband is 20. She never taught them to clean up after themselves and never cleaned for herself. She now wants to move because she started to see the filfth... bubble gum trapped in the carpets, cat pee infiltrating the hardwood floors, soda, candy, food smeared into the cabinets, floors, and walls. The house is so bad that it's worth $50,00 in square footage and features, but she is only going to sell it for tens of thousands less because of all the cleanup, repairs, and remodeling necessary.

Why would you take out a new loan, sell your current house, if you are clearly not prepared to take care of your current one? I'm frightened that she will never be able to see the current one, but if she can, she will be allowing those heathens to trash yet another house.

Answer 1

You are right. She's just moving the problem into a new house. She must see that as easier than re-training the family to act like humans. I hope your husband has caught your vision. Don't worry yourself with her home; you have your own to focus on now. Congratulations on your marriage!

Answer 2

if she and/or the kids haven't learned thier lessen the first time then yes history will repeat itself.

Answer 3

Well not all people have the same common sense that we do.

Answer 4

If she can afford to do it it's her right.  She's losing money big time, so apparently she knows nothing about finances.  Let her make the mistake.

Answer 5

Well, you're not living there anymore, right?  At least I hope two married adults aren't still living off of Mommy.  While I think that's a disgusting way to live, it's her house and her issue.  If that's how she wants to live, so be it.

Answer 6

You're "frightened"????  Please - this isn't anything you can control.

Why would you take out a new loan, sell your current house, if you are clearly not prepared to take care of your current one?  Well - ask HER!

If you haven't already moved out, it sounds like you and your husband should just start looking for your OWN space.  That's about all you can control.

Answer 7

I would take out a loan and keep this house, just clean it up . I would also make the kids start picking up after themselves. I would not allow my kids to live in filth and if she isn't careful CPS could get called on her for letting her kids live in this mess.

Answer 8

I guess that's just her choice. Don't worry about it.

I didn't quite catch the part: do you live there to? If so, then you should worry about it.

Either move out with your husband/boyfriend? or take on some chores to clean up after some of them - not stressful ones, though. Keep it simple - if your mother-in-law can't control them, move out, or talk to her about it.

Answer 9

She's trashing it too- not just the kids.  She doesn't sound so innocent here.  I'd be surprised if she could even sell it.  It doesn't sound like she's doing anything to change it, so I doubt anything will be different in the new house.  Not sure if it's your place to say anything though.  Maybe you should buy her some cleaning products and supplies and leave them on the front step. :)