Hot take: Setting clear house rules for extended family visits saves everyone's sanity
I mean, my in laws are lovely people, but when they stay for a week, little things start to pile up. Idk, maybe it's just me, but the way they use every single towel in the house or subtly adjust the thermostat bugs me. I found out that being super clear from the start helps a ton. On the first day, I'll just say stuff like, 'Hey, we hang wet towels on this rack to dry,' or point out the extra blankets if they get cold. It feels a bit awkward at first, but it stops that low level stress of finding soggy towels on the floor every day. They don't get upset because it's not a personal thing, just how the house runs. It makes the whole visit smoother and way less tense for everyone involved.