Imagine you’re a widow, living alone in a big five-bedroom house. You decide to convert two of the rooms into a guest house in the garage for when your children come to visit. Everything seems to be going well until one day, your parents ask if they can move in with you. You agree and inform your children about the new living arrangements. However, there seems to be a misunderstanding on moving day.

Your children start moving your parents into the garage, which confuses them. They were expecting to live in the main house, not in the garage.

“They thought they could move into my house since I have five bedrooms,” you explain.

You clarify that you only have two bedrooms available in the main house, as you converted the others into offices and hobby spaces. The spare bedroom you have is primarily reserved for your dogs.

Even though the guest house in the garage is fully equipped and suitable for comfortable living, your parents express disappointment and sadness.

“They said that they wanted to live in the house, not out in the garage like Fonzie,” you lament.

You clarify the living arrangement to your parents, but they still feel unsatisfied and express their desire to live in the main house. In search of advice, you turn to Reddit, where users discuss the fairness of your parents’ expectations and suggest setting boundaries or exploring alternative living arrangements.

It’s essential to find a solution that works for everyone involved. While the guest house offers a comfortable living space, it’s understandable that your parents may desire the familiarity and convenience of the main house. Open communication and understanding will be key in addressing their concerns and finding a suitable compromise.

Remember, it’s important to consider everyone’s needs and preferences when making living arrangements for elderly parents.