Typically, living with the in-laws means there are multiple generations of people from your spouse’s side all living under the same roof. From cousins to grandparents they are all living under one roof. Although it is very easy to dwell on the disadvantages of living with your husband’s family, there are also actually quite a few advantages that might make you consider making it more of a long term arrangement. Here are a few!
Shared economic responsibilities
Usually, when living with the in-laws, you are not expected to pay rent or bills. This is a major benefit! If you and/or your husband work, you get to save a large majority of that money.
Even if you contribute – let’s say – £500 a month to the household, this is pocket change compared to what you would be spending living in your own house.
Support with childcare
When living with the in-laws, having multiple adults living at home allows you to once again, save some money. As we all know, childcare is expensive. However, when living with the in-laws, you can leave the kids at home with their grandparents and head off to work or have a day out with the girls! Usually, the grandparents have no hesitations when it comes to looking after their grandchildren! It’s a win-win!
Giving care to the elders
When it comes to certain members of the family, they require a lot more care than others. For example, great-grandparents may need round the clock care. If you or your husband do not work, it is much easier for you to provide that care if you are living in the same household as them. This way, the responsibilities can be shared out between the other members of the household and you will be able to better establish a routine that suits everyone.
Building strong family bonds
Having a multigenerational household will allow you all to experience some emotional bonding with each other. This would not be achieved to the same level if you all lived separately. When living with the in-laws, you are naturally more encouraged to spend more of your free time together, allowing those life-long bonds to be built.
Support structure
When living with a group of other adults in the same household, you are then able to share your worries, stresses and responsibilities with the rest of the family who might be going through the same thing as you. Worried about your pregnancy? Your sister in-law can give you some tips! Whatever it is, there will be someone who’s already been through it.
Culture and traditions are maintained
To many families, the need to carry on family traditions and instil culture is very important. When living with the in-laws, it is much easier to expose your children to those traditions. For example, language, food and clothes are just some of the things your children will pick up from living with their extended family.
Of course, living with the in-laws or extended family does come with its difficulties. For example, there might be power struggles, interference with the upbringing of your children or even comments about what you wear. However, if you assert your boundaries and work with the family rather than against them, I think you’ll find the advantages outweigh the disadvantages.
Let us know in the comments what positive experiences you have had when living with your in-laws.
