How to Get Along with Your Husband's Relatives on the Dacha

You can set up barriers from neighbors. Noisy visits from relatives or the need to share your own territory with them for long periods can upset some people. Is this a familiar situation? We have solutions.

First of all — children

It's useless to explain to young children, especially toddlers, that there are boundaries of personal space, privacy, and the right to solitude. Besides, they need supervision.

Luckily, there's water, sand, and other joys available in the countryside that city kids often miss—sometimes more valuable than store-bought toys.

Give children play areas where they can enjoy themselves to the fullest. Toddlers love building huts from blankets and throws: provide them with a frame and help drive stakes into the ground. Older kids might enjoy making hammocks, kites, nets, or fishing rods. Teenagers can help you lay mosaic tiles for garden paths. They might also be interested in setting up an outdoor corner and doing a photo session for selfies.

Men, oh men

It's great if some habits of brothers-in-law and in-laws bring benefits to others. But if not yet, you can arrange it. Men are capable of many things: hint that they have full opportunities to enjoy themselves in the barbecue area, garage, or workshop.

Sometimes this brings real benefits: set up a summer kitchen or even build a pizza oven, make furniture by hand. Chop firewood once in a while.

Favored mother-in-law

Two housewives under one roof is complicated. But it’s possible if you accept help gratefully and channel energy into peaceful streams. Study the habits and preferences of your husband’s mother. Does she like tending the garden? Let her take charge of salad and greens for the common table. A natural gift for teaching? She can distract the kids. A culinary talent? Perfect, so there will be enough pies and you just need to provide drinks and music.

Organize the space

In the garden, around the house and inside it, there are many ways to separate groups of people so that no one suffers from noise and each can live at their own pace.

It’s ideal if the porch or terrace encircles the house all around. Then in different zones of it, you can set up an outdoor living room and a breakfast nook. Perhaps you're in the stage of building or renovating your home and already planned for various entrances? That’s smart.

In other cases, landscaping solutions and improvements to sound insulation or sun protection come in handy. As the saying goes, out of sight, and peace of mind follows.

Want to grill shashlik in comfort?

We tell how to create a cozy spot for gatherings on the dacha

Find a sanctuary

Each of us needs moments (or hours) of silence and peace. Simply be honest and open about it, agree on rules, and define boundaries that shouldn’t be crossed.

“I’m in the cabin” – a solution for everyone, from little ones to adults. A “do not disturb” sign can be a garden hat on the door handle, an aromatic candle, or a basket for knitting.

Escape the bustle in a studio converted from a shed or greenhouse. Set aside a study in the attic or under the stairs. Provide a nook for the bed and a shaded rest area. A woven “nest” or treehouse – solutions can be found for every taste.