DEAR KACIE

DearKACIE

AN OVERSTAYED GUEST

I’m married (15 years) and my wife and I have two sons. Earlier this summer, my wife’s sister asked if she could live with us for a little bit. She moved to KC from Omaha. I was cool with letting her stay until she found a job in KC. It’s been several months and there’s no sign of her even looking for a job. She’s living here rent-free and never pitches in to help with food.

I told my wife her sister needs to start pitching in if she continues living with us. She’s a great help with watching our sons and giving us date nights, but that’s it. How do I kick her out without just being mean about it?

Call the cops for trespassing! Okay, that’s a little dramatic, but so is freeloading.

You asked how to kick her out without being mean about it—I get it. I do. She’s family, right? Family is supposed to help each other in times of need. But she’s also a fully functioning adult. My advice is don’t go to your wife about her sister. That clearly didn’t help because you’re writing to me.

Your next step is to sit down with the sister. She’s an adult and she should understand your frustration. Or maybe she doesn’t. This is the time to sit down with her and help her with her résumé, with looking for jobs, getting a headhunter, finding a place to rent—whatever she needs. Get the ball moving to get her living an independent life. It will take some work, but that’s what family is for.

Or you can always call the cops.

If you have any questions you’d like Kacie to answer, submit them to contact@simplykcmag.com.