My MIL and Husband’s Sisters Forced Me to Clean Up Alone After Easter Feast—I Agreed, but They Weren’t Ready for My ‘Surprise’
My husband’s family did not know that I had put something else aside with the chocolate bunnies when I decided to be their maid for Easter. The incident that followed is still something I find very funny.
Posting about my personal issues is not something I’ve ever decided to do online. Actually, I am a little off. What happened on Easter this year cannot be missed.
I am Emma, I am 35 years old, have a job as a marketing director in a mid-sized company, and have been married to Carter for three lovely years. Carter is exactly what I have always wanted. He gives me lots of support, is caring, likes to make me laugh, and is able to load the dishwasher properly.
Besides the one huge challenge we have had, we have shared the best life together. HIS FAMILY.
Honey, Emma, would you please get me another mimosa as you are up already? Last month, my mother-in-law Patricia’s voice came from the backyard patio, even though I had not walked far toward the kitchen.
She had remained seated in her cushioned lounge chair since quite some time.
I’m not the type who complains about each and every little thing. I choose not to publish remarks that show anger toward others on social networks. Still, Carter’s mother and his three sisters, Sophia, Melissa, and Hailey, are special. I mean the people who feel entitled in this context.
Naturally, my love, was my common reply every time I saw how touched she was by this kind treatment.
From the start, they let me know I wasn’t the person they were looking for as their son.
They often believe what they think is right and have never really accepted me as a person. They prefer delivering compliments that are hard to take.
“Oh dear, Emma!” said Sophia at our recent family gathering. “What makes you wear a dress that tight?”
Melissa, who is 39, is always ready to point out my dietary habits. She would say, “Good job for not counting calories,” when she saw me eat only a little dessert.
Hailey, 34, is very different from me because she is younger but somehow is able to scold me like a disapproving aunt. We have very established traditions in our family life. I wish you are capable of keeping up.
Especially, this very Easter? They definitely deserved credit for this.
Melissa announced three weeks ahead of Easter to both Carter and me, both unburdened by children, that we should set up the Easter Egg Hunt.
Make your Easter fun with something more than putting out plastic eggs. No.
I was meant to organize everything, such as design scavenger hunt hints, search for costumes, and pay for a bunny mascot with my own cash.
„It would definitely prove to me that you care a lot about our family,” Sophia said, taking a sip and straightening her sunglasses in the sun on the patio.
Carter held on to my hand while we enjoyed the meal. His sisters talked over him even as he tried to point out that it could be a lot of work.
It’s because this is how our family does it, despite the fact that Hailey had never helped us plan before.
Fine. I managed not to argue in spite of my feelings. For now.
At that point, I secretly started forming a plan so they’d have an unforgettable Easter.
Two days before Easter, I got a notification on my phone from a text message. Her family now communicated with each other through a group chat. Obviously, Carter stands out as an exception.
If you’re already being so kind, honey, we’ll be very grateful if you cook the dinner for Easter. It would be good for Carter to be someone who can organize events at home.
With every alert on my phone, my blood pressure grew higher as the girls express their “helpful” advice.
In fact, her request was that 25 meals should be prepared. One serving includes ham, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, deviled eggs, rolls, two pies, and a light dish for people looking to keep their
meals low-calorie.
Nobody in my family wanted to bring the pie.
What are sentiments like:”You want me to try what?” He wanted to know when I was showing him the messages. He became very angry, his face grew red. “That’s ridiculous. I am going to talk with them.
No, I touched his arm and said. It’s not something to be concerned about.
However, I don’t see how I have time for all that. Could I at least place an order for catering?
I gave him a quick kiss on his cheek. I assure you that I am ready to deal with it.
On Easter Sunday, the weather was beautiful and sunny. Waking up early, I had arranged the eggs for the hunt and cooked the feast that everybody expected. By the middle of the day, a crowd of Carter’s family was inside our house. The family members were his mother, three sisters, their husbands, and children from four to 12.
Before Patricia could finish her bite, she noticed the ham was really dry.
Butter goes better with the potatoes, she said.
Though I used a gravy boat, Sophia noted that in her family, they choose to serve the gravy in a proper boat instead of a measuring cup.
Carter tried to help but I made him stop by shaking my head a little. Not yet.
They ate. The kitchen was totally ruined by them. They give their kids freedom to have chocolate all over their hands and clothes.
Melissa’s youngest child dropped a vase, and no one took care to pick up the pieces. Everyone kept repeating, “Kids do this kind of thing.”
And then, after eating so much, they sat down on the couches, drinking their wine and not moving.
Sophia turned and told Emma, “we won’t see the kitchen cleaned if we don’t do it.”
She went on to say: Now, go ahead and clean everything you used. It’s time to show that you’re a true wife!
The women smiled and made themselves comfortable like royalty as their husbands walked off to watch basketball elsewhere.
He got up and left the center room. I want to assist you, Emma.
No, sweetie, I replied so that the whole room could hear me. You put in a lot of effort all through the week. Take some time and hang out with the guys.
Twin sisters looked at one another with a satisfied smile. They believed they had come out on top.
I smiled. I was feeling so happy, I just smiled and smiled. I gave my hands a sharp clap.
“Absolutely!” I chirped. I’ll look after all the details.
A look of lightness came over their expressions as they resumed talking about Sophia’s cruise plans. Hailey put her feet on the coffee table, and her marks appeared on its wooden surface.
“Kids!” I greeted the person with a smile. Are you geared up for the fun Easter Egg Hunt?
Kids from different parts of the house were seen running towards me.
Patricia had thought they had done the egg hunt already that morning.
I grinned at the children as I said, “Oh that reminds me…” It was just a usual hunt we had organised. The next step is the Golden Egg Challenge.”
The kids were delighted and excited.
What is the Golden Egg Challenge about? Her ten-year-old kid was almost bouncing with excitement when he asked.
I pulled out a sparkling plastic egg from my pocket to say that I put something special in the usual Egg Hunt this morning.
I was surrounded by excited children as I held the bright egg for them to see.
Inside the golden egg you’ll find a note mentioning a VERY IMPORTANT PRIZE, I added with a low voice. This should be given to kids, not candy.
Is pizza better than candy? At first, Sophia’s young daughter was really taken aback when I explained that too much sugar is harmful.
“Absolutely. The grand prize is awarded without any personal costs to the winners! I announced.
The children practically couldn’t wait to taste the delicious food. It seemed like Patricia and her daughters looked on from the couch while wondering if I was joking about a toy or a small gift card.
According to the folktale, the golden egg can be found behind or around the house. Anyone discovering the diamond gets the grand prize! Ready?”
The children ran to the back door so fast that they almost stepped on each other in their hurry.
It’s very sweet that you thought of me, Emma, Patricia replied from the couch. Give them something to do while we are busy eating.
I spotted Carter from behind and she noticed and gave me a wry look. I blinked with a little wink.
In about fifteen minutes, we could hear a happy yell coming from the other side of the garden.
I discovered what it is! I DISCOVERED THE GOLDEN EGG!”
Lily, Sophia’s daughter, ran fast across the garden, lifting the egg in the air just as an Olympic torch would be.
Perfect. I would have needed impressive skills to plan things out like this.
“Congratulations, Lily!” I was happy to see everyone come over and pay attention. Would you want to open your prize letter and check what you’ve won?
The child quickly opened the plastic egg and took out a short rolled piece of paper. She tried to make sense of the letters by wrinkling her forehead.
How about letting me read it out to all of us? I made them a kind offer.
She gave me the paper after looking at it.
I cleared my throat loudly as a sign of a new beginning. Whoever discovers the Golden Egg will get the GRAND PRIZE: You and your family have to take care of all the Easter cleaning up! Congratulations!”
It was for three uninterrupted seconds that absolute silence spread around our backyard.
After that, there was a lot of controversy.
“What?” Sophia almost swallowed her drink while spluttering.
That’s really not anything impressive. Melissa protested.
Lily showed some confusion as she looked at him. I get the feeling I have to clean everything.
No, I do the same with everyone, I cheered. Everyone from your family is involved in the fun. Aren’t those details inspiring? Everything you do, every kind of food–all of it takes time!
Emma, I am talking to you in a stern voice. Is this something that you are only telling us as a joke?
Oh, there’s the Golden Egg prize, I said firmly. They cannot wait for the ceremony to take place.
And here is when something truly astonishing happened. The children in the group came together to chant about cleaning up. CLEAN UP!”
Carter could not contain his laughter anymore and started to howl.
Hailey gave a warning grasp to Lorna and quietly said, “Not funny.”
Actually, Carter said as he stepped by me and wrapped his arm around me, it’s very funny.
The kids should not be expected to help with the housework, argued Sophia, her face getting flushed.
I replied: “I am just obeying the rules.” Having traditions in a family is very important, isn’t it? You showed me the way on that subject!”
Patricia tried to stand up as if to control the situation. Dear Emma, this behavior is unnecessarily loud.
“Is it?” I phrased my question in a simple way. Expecting half the people in the room to take on the tasks of dinner and dishes might have been more appropriate. Why would you make fun of my cooking skills after enjoying the same meal you ‘complained’ about?
The kids’ voices were becoming louder with each passing moment. Certain people were actively working on collecting the trash in the yard, showing how dedicated they were.
Lily grabbed Sophia’s blouse and asked: “Mom?” “We won! It is time for us to do some cleaning.
Since they saw that their children were excited and the situation was getting a bit uncomfortable, they had to obey.
Fine,” she whispered almost under her breath.
I gave her a pair of rubber gloves and gave her a friendly smile. To find the dish soap is as easy as looking underneath the sink.
I spent the rest of the hour resting on the patio with my drink, observing how Carter’s mother and sisters were busy washing dishes, cleaning surfaces, and cleaning the floors.
Carter put his glass next to mine and did a little toast. Did you know you are a brilliant person?
I was taught by the most skilled individuals. Your loved ones always remind you about the value of following traditions.
While watching Patricia trying to get dried gravy out of my roasting pan, I noticed her staring at me. For only a brief while, something about her look seemed different. An action that certainly looked like a sign of respect.
Next Easter? I can tell that bringing food and helping to clean will be part of their plan.
I gained a great deal of knowledge from some excellent sources, I said. Your family members frequently remind you that following traditions is very essential.
While watching my sister-in-law scrub the gravy on my roasting pan, she looked up at me. For only a split second, there was something different in the way she looked. There was a moment that appeared to be respect.
Next Easter? I’m pretty sure potluck food and cleaning items will be what they bring.
