“She moved in”: FJ readers share their complicated relationships with their in-laws

“She moved in.”

Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the last two days, then you know Brooklyn Beckham has finally cooked up something worth eating, and shocked (read: delighted) the world with a series of bombshell Instagram stories about his family.

In it, he detailed a breakdown in his relationship with his parents, as well as some particularly juicy details about his $3 million wedding to Nicola Peltz. This has come after years of speculation that something may be unripe in the Beckham household – specifically in regards to Nicola and Victoria’s relationship.

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While internet sleuths are doing their best to uncover footage of that first dance, it left us curious about all the other stories people have about their in-laws. Here’s what FJ readers had to say.

Rachel* 29, she/her

I’ve been with my partner for four years. I love my in-laws, but I also need space from them. We live in a different state to them, thankfully! There was one time though, when my mother-in-law sent a message to the extended family group chat on Mother’s Day and wished me a happy Mother’s Day to my unborn children. I’m not sure if I even want kids.

Jessie*, 30, she/her

My partner and I have been together for 10 years. The most annoying thing their mother has done is invite herself over to my apartment to throw a birthday party for me that I didn’t want or intend to have. Stereotypes of over-bearing in-laws exist for a reason. Now, I just pick my battles because I still love my partner.

Bethany*, 26, she/her

I’ve been with my partner for six months and his parents are so sweet. His mum and I text frequently – she even got me a Pokemon toy when she went on holiday. She said I was part of the the family after meeting me for the first time. I died, it couldn’t have gone better.

Carla*, 33, she/her

My husband and I have been together 10 years, married for four. He lost his father young and, with a disabled sister, became the ‘man of the house’ early on. After we married, his mum decided to move closer and bought an apartment across the road, paying above market to secure the location.

A month after she moved in, an arson incident made the building uninhabitable, so we offered for her to stay with us short-term while insurance was resolved. Initially she was helpful, but soon became negative, drank heavily and made cruel comments about women on TV, as well as our appearances and weight. Given it was temporary, we let it slide.

When she was finally able to move back, she stayed for two weeks before selling the apartment without telling us. As we were leaving for an extended holiday, we asked her to house-sit, assuming she’d have her next step sorted by the time we got back. Instead, she moved in. We came home from an 18-hour flight to find she’d rearranged our home to incorporate her furniture, set up a bedroom for herself downstairs, and gone through every cupboard and drawer, ‘organising’ our belongings.

She ended up living with us for most of 2024. The stress was constant, our relationship suffered, and she was intrusive, opinionated and regularly put me down about how I “looked after” her son. I reached a breaking point and nearly ended my marriage. She finally moved out following the passing of her father, moving back home to care for her mother. She’s now in her own relationship and largely out of our lives. I keep her at arms length and still find it very difficult to be around her.

Niamh*, 25, she/her

I’m now separated but I was with my partner for five years. I got along really well with his parents, particularly his mum, however his dad tried to convert me to Christianity (I’m an atheist).

Emma*, 31, she/her

I’ve been with my partner for one year. I text his mum often and we often spend time together every few weeks. However, she can be very full-noise sometimes, but only because she wants to be apart of everything. She once told me we couldn’t get a staffy dog because she doesn’t like them. She’s also made it clear she doesn’t want us to elope because she insists on being there.

However, his dad is great! I broke my knee so we moved in with them for two months while I was in a wheelchair, and would bring breakfast and lunch on a platter to my room and would cook us all incredible meals each night. So it balances out!

*Names have been changed for privacy.

For more scandalous in-laws stories, try this.