A man's basement is his sanctuary, but when his mother-in-law moves in with the family, his wife wants to convert the man cave into a MIL suite. The man is hesitant to give up his space and suggests that the kids share a room instead. His wife calls him selfish and stubborn, leading to a fight that's been ongoing for weeks. With neither of them willing to budge, the relationship is suffering. Will the man have to give up his space or is he being an a**hole about it? Read on to find out.

Unsplash | Unsplash
Stepdad defends man cave from MIL intrusion 🛋️

needmyspaceaita | needmyspaceaita
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Family moves in and loves it, but what about the man cave?

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Respecting boundaries when accommodating family members during difficult times.

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Man stands his ground on 'man cave' against MIL's intrusion

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Man defends his 'man cave' against MIL invasion 🚫👩

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When the 'man cave' becomes a battleground 👥

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Struggling to surrender 'man cave' for MIL, am I selfish?

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Husband refuses to give up man cave for mother-in-law 🙅♂️
A man inherited his parents' house where he currently resides with his wife and stepchildren. His mother-in-law is set to move in, but the couple is at odds over where she will stay. The husband has a fully furnished basement, which he converted into a man cave, but his wife wants to turn it into a MIL suite. He argues that he has worked hard on the space and does not want it to change. The wife insists that it is their home and that the kids need their own rooms. The conflict has escalated, with the wife calling him an a**hole and their relationship suffering. What should he do? Read on for some interesting perspectives and opinions from our readers.
Female commenters support OP's decision to not give up personal space for MIL.

nikokazini | nikokazini
NTA. Suggesting a solution where everyone wins 🤝

HoldFastO2 | HoldFastO2
Consideration for MIL's loneliness not enough to justify invasion 🏠. NTA.

mzpljc | mzpljc
New wife's entitlement causes tension over MIL's living arrangements 🤔

1Sluggo | 1Sluggo
NTA- Keeping personal space is important. Visit/call/take MIL out more.

Ashley_Raye | Ashley_Raye
Stand your ground and keep your man cave, it's important for your sanity 😅

[deleted] | [deleted]
Maintaining privacy in own home is crucial for this commenter.

CatahoulaBubble | CatahoulaBubble
Questioning fairness of space sharing in marital home 🤔

katmonday | katmonday
NAH for wanting own space, consider separate home for MIL 💆

Born-Fox-2051 | Born-Fox-2051
Man's wife wants MIL to move in permanently despite potential issues 🤔

PhoenixRosehere | PhoenixRosehere
Sharing a room with grandma or accepting stepkids? Compromise required 😕

Accomplished-Sugar-7 | Accomplished-Sugar-7
Consider MIL's desires before forcing her to move in. 😊

SassyDivaAunt | SassyDivaAunt
Married couple argues over who owns the house. 🤔

[deleted] | [deleted]
Compromise solution: rent a small studio nearby for MIL 👵🏼💼

capmanor1755 | capmanor1755
Kids sharing a room > losing man cave. MIL judgment call 🤔

DarthLift | DarthLift
Man refuses to give up "man cave" for MIL - YTA vibe

Illuminarrator | Illuminarrator
Compromise needed for man cave vs MIL situation. 🤔

MeanestGoose | MeanestGoose
Finding a nearby assisted living could be a win-win 👍

QuinGood | QuinGood
Compromising on MIL's living space in the basement 🤔

[deleted] | [deleted]
You deserve your own space! 🙌 #NotTheAHole

runedued | runedued
User suggests building a separate MIL suite or tiny home 👍

IBeatHimAtChess | IBeatHimAtChess
Is giving up a game room the same as making kids share a room? 🤔

[deleted] | [deleted]
Man refuses to give up "man cave" for MIL, NTA, protect your house 🛠

muskiesfan1 | muskiesfan1
Man defends his "man cave" from MIL, wife not supportive 🙅♂️

TexFiend | TexFiend
Limited options for MIL, but should OP give up space?

FinanceGuyHere | FinanceGuyHere
A supportive comment suggests a compromise for MIL's living arrangements.

immitheglitch | immitheglitch
Nurse warns of MIL's eventual fall down basement stairs ⚠️

[deleted] | [deleted]
Protect your home and lawyer up, but be careful.

jtj5002 | jtj5002
Balancing family needs and MIL's wants for man cave solution.

RaeWineLover | RaeWineLover
User calls out OP for prioritizing man cave over in-laws. 💔

hhk3082 | hhk3082
Couple struggles with accommodating MIL without disrupting family dynamics. NAH

Aitasuperfan | Aitasuperfan
Cultural differences in living with parents can impact relationships 🏠

chunkychapstick | chunkychapstick
NTA. Moving MIL near OP's house could be a good solution. 🙌

PapaCaqu | PapaCaqu
A heartwarming story of a family prioritizing their loved ones ❤️

IGaveYouMyEdge | IGaveYouMyEdge
Is MIL's move necessary? ESH for not sharing space.

Kettlewise | Kettlewise
A creative solution to MIL's need for space 🤔🏠

SalamanderAware8639 | SalamanderAware8639
Why should women have to settle for a "nan cave"? 🤔

FooPvris | FooPvris
Building an addition? That's gonna cost a pretty penny 💰

Emotional_Fan_7011 | Emotional_Fan_7011
Creative solutions suggested for man cave dilemma. 🤔

Interesting-Two946 | Interesting-Two946
Engaging in-laws dispute with ESH verdict and alternative solution 👍

[deleted] | [deleted]
Man resists MIL's request to turn basement into in-law suite.

burnafone91 | burnafone91
Living in the basement: a recipe for marital disaster? 🤔

duchessofcheezit | duchessofcheezit
Having a man cave is important for some guys 👨🎲

Appropriate-Hat-4243 | Appropriate-Hat-4243
NAH. MIL drama? Sit down and solve it together as a team 👍

veronica-marsx | veronica-marsx
Turning the tables: What if the wife had a woman cave?

PoetrySpiritual | PoetrySpiritual
Maintaining boundaries with MIL, prioritizing family's needs. 🏡

Louis4primeminster | Louis4primeminster
ESH for adding MIL without consensus, but kids need personal space.

[deleted] | [deleted]
Basement not for living, NTA for keeping 'man cave' name.

FinanceGuyHere | FinanceGuyHere
User calls out OP for being selfish about man cave.

bladed_em | bladed_em
Compromise is key. MIL needs own space nearby 📍

Kobe_no_Ushi_Y0k0zna | Kobe_no_Ushi_Y0k0zna
Communication is key 🗝️. Kids' comfort shouldn't be compromised 🚫🛌.

BigAsparagus9383 | BigAsparagus9383
Setting boundaries with MIL to save marriage. 💔

[deleted] | [deleted]
Advice for MIL care, but underlying issue of lack of compromise.

Clockverk | Clockverk
Man refuses to give up "man cave" for MIL - ESH for not compromising

No-Anything-4440 | No-Anything-4440
Sharing the 'man cave' with MIL and family, not ideal 🙅♂️

one_night_on_mars | one_night_on_mars