Dear Abby: MIL puts her son to gardening, which means the couple’s only day off together

DEAR ABBY: My fiancé and I have been together for 14 years. A few months ago, his mother told us that she had inherited a house that had belonged to her parents and that she wanted to give it to us. I was skeptical because every gift from her comes with a lot of strings attached.

We were told it would take a few months to get the paperwork in order. So in the meantime, could we help maintain the property until we move in? We agreed, but she dictated the day and time. My fiancé and I have two days off every week. On one we travel together, on the other we don’t. We planned it that way.

Well, since he’s been helping with maintenance, my fiancé’s mother insists that it be done on our day off. She says it’s because her husband isn’t there either. Am I wrong to be upset that my fiancé chooses to do child support on “our” day off instead of his day off? It has stayed that way for the last three to four weeks.

I called his mother and asked if he could come over on his day off. Her answer was, “Well, you’ll be here soon, and he can do it any time,” but she also said that her husband will still come to help, which leads me to the conclusion that I’m in favor I’ll always be busy with it. Any advice? — STRINGS FIXED IN THE SOUTH