Find a flat space to wrap your mug to make sure the wrapping job is even. Cut out a length of packing paper that is both longer and wider than your mug.  Packing paper is usually available at most department or shipping stores. As an alternative, you may use old newspapers in a pinch. The longer the length, the thicker the protection your mug will have. Turn the mug over horizontally and roll it in the packing paper lengthwise. Continue rolling until you have reached the end of the packing paper. If your mug feels loose in the center of the paper roll, unroll it and try again. Fold the bottom end of the packing paper up and around the length of the cup. Stuff the other end of the packing paper inside the mug's mouth. If either end is too long to fold or stuff, trim it with a pair of scissors.  Double tuck and wrap the mug in packing paper if it is especially valuable or fragile. For additional security, bind the sides down with packing tape. Only place wrapped cups and mugs in the box to prevent any of them breaking as you move or store them. Opt for a plastic box instead of cardboard to give your mugs external protection.  Add bubble wrap and crumpled newspaper balls to the bottom of the box for additional cushioning. Label the box contents as fragile so you know to treat it with care.

Summary: Lay out a square of packing paper. Place the mug in one corner of the packing paper. Tuck the packing paper's sides in. Pack your mugs carefully inside a box.


Communication between you and your spouse should be the top priority during and after the transition of living with your mother-in-law. The two of you need to be in accord and your spouse needs to be willing to maintain any limitations with his mom. If he or she falters in supporting your guidelines, you may end up continually at war with your MIL about this issue or that one. What’s more, you might also find yourself at war with your spouse. Presenting as a united front is incredibly important. For one, if your spouse doesn’t fully cooperate, your mother-in-law may not respect your decision and try to fight you on it. Seeing that the two of you are firm in your rules will minimize the chances of that. Working in accord also means that you should bring any problems to your spouse before discussing them with his or her mom. By doing this, you have a chance to vent your frustrations in a safe space. Then, the two of you can come up with an action plan as a couple.  Your spouse may want to address any issues with mom alone or with you present. Respect his or her choice either way. Hold your tongue if your mother-in-law says or does something in defiance of your boundaries. You can easily say something in the moment that you later regret. Spouting off in anger can quickly result in creating a divide between you and your spouse because you were disrespectful with his mom. You might say “Honey, your mother criticized my parenting in front of the kids today. It really made me feel like we weren’t on the same team. Could you please talk with her about this when you get a chance?” Your mother-in-law living in the home can potentially eliminate the intimacy factor between you and your spouse. The time you and your spouse may have spent together watching TV after putting the kids to bed or after a long day’s work might be interrupted by her presence. It’s essential that the two of you cherish and protect your alone time, which will strengthen your bond despite the new household changes.  Talk with your mother-in-law and explain your needs. You may be able to request that she babysit so that you two can go on a date. Or, you might simply let her know that on Fridays, you and your spouse enjoy lunch together, and you’d appreciate if you could keep it that way. Balance your demands by doing plenty of things as a whole family and also encourage your spouse to spend time with his or her mother, too. An example of how to approach this subject might be “Ms. April, we usually go to dinner on Fridays as a couple. We would like to continue this tradition. However, we would like to start going to brunch on Sundays as a family, and would love it if you joined us.” Whether it’s a weekly mani/pedi, morning run or workout session, or a blissful cup of coffee before the kids wake, be sure you are practicing regular self-care. Three generations of family members are a lot to care for. You may now be responsible for caring for your kids, your spouse, and your MIL. You can’t pour from an empty cup, so be sure to make time to care for you as well.

Summary: Make it a team effort. Communicate any issues with your spouse first. Make the most of your couple time. Don’t sacrifice your own needs.


First, locate the valve on the side, behind, or towards the bottom of the toilet. Then, turn the valve clockwise several times until it won’t turn anymore. This will turn of the toilet’s water supply, which will help you avoid any flooding and keep the toilet from flushing while you work. If you can’t find the valve or if the valve is stuck in place, you’ll likely need to turn off the water to your house for a short time. In most cases, you can do this by switching off the water supply from the control unit, which is usually located in the basement or an interior closet. Most toilets have a water tank in the back behind the bowl that has a removable lid. Carefully lift the lid to remove it from the tank and set it aside. This will allow you to easily access the inside of the tank, and will help keep the lid from falling off or getting crack when you remove the toilet. Using a wet vacuum or small container, vacuum or scoop out all the water from both the tank and the toilet bowl. This will keep any water from spilling or splashing onto you or the bathroom floor, and will make the toilet lighter and easier to lift. You can also use a baster to suction water out of the tank and bowl. In most cases, your toilet will be connected to the floor by at least 2 bolts or screws. Using either a wrench or a screwdriver (depending on whether your toilet has bolts or screws), unscrew the bolts or screws from either side of the bottom of the toilet. This will disconnect your toilet from the floor and enable you to remove it from the ground. Set the bolts or screws aside in a safe place so you’ll be able to use them later to re-secure your toilet into place. Locate the large bolt that attaches the water supply line to the back of the toilet’s tank. Then, twist the bolt counter-clockwise until it comes undone and the water line is detached. The water line bolt is usually a large plastic bolt with ridges to make it easier to grip and unscrew. In order for you to be able to look up inside the toilet to retrieve the flushed item, you’ll need to lay the toilet on its side. To do this, find a grip on either side of the toilet that feels comfortable and secure. Then, carefully lift the toilet up away from its spot on the ground. Lay it down on its side carefully.  Porcelain toilets can be very heavy. Therefore, you may want to get someone to help you lift the toilet and get it safely down on its side.  You may want to lay a towel or blanket down on the ground so that your toilet will be protected when you lay it on its side. With the toilet is laying on its side, check inside the waste opening to see if you can find and reach the flushed item. If you can see the item, you should be able to reach it with your hands or with any other retrieval device.  The inside of the waste opening may be dark, so it can be helpful to have a flashlight on hand to help you see into the toilet.  In addition to the waste opening, you may also want to look at the wax ring that runs along the bottom of the toilet, as very small items, such as a piece of jewelry, could’ve gotten caught on the wax ring. Carefully turn the toilet back upright and lift it back into place. Reconnect the toilet to the ground by twisting the bolts or screws back into the bottom. Then, reconnect the water line and twist the valve counter-clockwise to turn the toilet’s water supply back on. Flush the toilet once or twice to refill the tank and bowel, and then your toilet should be ready to use again.
Summary: Turn off the toilet’s water supply. Take the lid off the toilet’s tank. Remove all the remaining water from the tank and bowl. Unscrew the bolts or screws from the bottom of the toilet. Detach the water supply line from the tank. Lift the toilet and lay it on its side. Look inside the toilet to retrieve the flushed item. Put the toilet back and re-secure it into its place.