My husband and I are having a huge fight over his parents. I need an outside opinion of someone who isn't close to the situation.

Every year my in-laws go someplace warm for the winter. This year was no exception. They took off the first week in January. They called us on March 12 and told us they had returned home. On March 24, they called me. They asked how everyone was. I told them that I had come down with a sore throat and that I felt awful and had slept most of the day. I also told them that I thought my daughter was coming down with something--as she had been complaining of a stomachache. The next question my in-laws asked me was: "Can we come over for a visit tomorrow?" They also had the nerve to tell me they would eat before they came.

I thought for them to ask after I just told them I was sick was rude/inconsiderate. My husband on the other hand didn't. He said something to the effect of "They just want to see us. They have been gone all winter. They are not coming to see the house; they are coming to visit us. You could just go in the bedroom and shut the door." My husband became real defensive on his parent's behalf and told me I always badmouthed his parents.

I guess what I want to know is: Do you think it was rude/inconsiderate of his parents to ask to come over right after I told them I was sick? And was I out-of-line when I told my husband I thought it was rude. Maybe I should have kept my opinion to myself.

Your in-laws and your husband should have been more considerate of your feelings.

I can understand them being anxious to see you after a long absence, but waiting a day or so until you and your daughter feel better would make the visit much more enjoyable.

You should have explained that you and your daughter are sick and that you don't want to take a chance of them catching whatever you have.

A simple "let's wait a day or two until I'm sure we aren't contagious" should have been sufficient. If the insensitive clods still come over, go to bed and let your husband entertain the. Then suggest counseling to him to find out why he can't stand up to this parents and have more respect for your feelings.