Man Asks If He’s Being Unreasonable For Not Giving Up His “Man Cave” To Make Room For His Mother-In-Law

In his defense - he built it with his own hands before he got married.

Some people get very attached to the one room in the house that is truly theirs. For one Reddit user, that room was a man cave he built long before marriage, and now his wife wants it repurposed for her mother.

The situation got messy fast, because the house belongs to him, his wife has children from a previous relationship, and the family is already dealing with a major change after her father died. He tried to offer another solution, but that did not calm anyone down.

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Now the argument has turned into a bigger relationship problem, and Reddit has plenty to say about it.

OP was asked to give up his “man cave” so his wife could accommodate her mother. The problem is that he had built it by himself a long time before he met his wife.

OP was asked to give up his “man cave” so his wife could accommodate her mother. The problem is that he had built it by himself a long time before he met his wife.nesgoomba (not the actual photo)
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OP and his wife got married four years ago. She has two kids form previous relationship.

OP and his wife got married four years ago. She has two kids form previous relationship.Reddit
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OP owns a house, so he took them all in

OP owns a house, so he took them all inReddit

OP’s father-in-law died and his wife came up with an idea...

OP’s father-in-law died and his wife came up with an idea...Reddit

OP was very hesitant

OP was very hesitantReddit

He finally agreed, but there were some obstacles

He finally agreed, but there were some obstaclesReddit

OP’s wife suggested that he gives up his man cave. That was out of the question

OP’s wife suggested that he gives up his man cave. That was out of the questionReddit

And OP was clear about that

And OP was clear about thatReddit

He offered a solution:

He offered a solution:Reddit

But wife wasn't happy with it

But wife wasn't happy with itReddit

Now they are fighting

Now they are fightingReddit

Neither of them wants to budge

Neither of them wants to budgeReddit

Their relationship is suffering...

Their relationship is suffering...Reddit

So now he needs objective advice for the Reddit crowd:

So now he needs objective advice for the Reddit crowd:Reddit

When partners agree on everything but one thing, the conversation can get stuck in a loop.

In this case, the disagreement is about space, family, and who gets to decide what happens next.

Female Redditor said:

Female Redditor said:Reddit

Basically, there are no A-holes here:

This gets real like the AITA post where someone suggested their in-laws stay in a hotel, just to protect sanity.

Basically, there are no A-holes here:

Basically, there are no A-holes here:Reddit

They just need to communicate

They just need to communicate

They just need to communicateReddit

Yeah, OP did give up a lot, but he wanted it. And he has received so much in return...

Yeah, OP did give up a lot, but he wanted it. And he has received so much in return...

Yeah, OP did give up a lot, but he wanted it. And he has received so much in return...Reddit

Being lonely isn't a good reason

Being lonely isn't a good reason

Being lonely isn't a good reasonReddit

The kids are young. No problem in them sharing a room...

The kids are young. No problem in them sharing a room...

The kids are young. No problem in them sharing a room...Reddit

Some Redditors believe this is a marriage-breaker

Some Redditors believe this is a marriage-breaker

Some Redditors believe this is a marriage-breakerReddit

This is also true:

This is also true:

This is also true:Reddit

Some Redditors made good suggestions:

Some Redditors made good suggestions:

Some Redditors made good suggestions:Reddit

Good question:

Good question:

Good question:Reddit

The bottom line is:

The bottom line is:

The bottom line is:Reddit

Nothing is perfect, but you must focus on the positive and reframe your perspective if you want to stay together. In other areas of our lives, we all have to cope with difficulties and unpleasant situations.

So why bring negativity to your personal life? If you decide that the positives in your relationship exceed the negatives, you should focus less on the one negative issue and more on the positivity and enjoyment it offers you.

Now the man cave is at the center of a much bigger fight.

Before you decide if the “man cave” demand is unreasonable, read how Reddit handled a husband seeking personal space from in-laws.

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