The dread of an upcoming parents’ visit to your place is something that is hard to explain in words. Sure, you love your parents, and you’d think that 20-something years of experience living with them under the same roof would prepare you for the notion of hosting them in your own adult house, but that is often not the case.

Even though they raised you and taught you everything you know, especially when it comes to managing a household, they still tend to be extremely judgemental. They will notice every crack, every speck of dust, and they will make sure you know it. They also arrive with lots of demands for their stay, and have a hard time accepting ‘no’ for an answer.

You can never be prepared enough for a parental visit, both emotionally and physically, all you can do is your absolute best. If your parents are still having a hard time accommodating to that, maybe they should reconsider their future visits, and do you all a huge favor in the process.