There’s nothing quite like the excitement of preparing for a new baby, but my mother-in-law’s nosiness was turning a happy time into a source of stress. She couldn’t resist opening any package that arrived at our house, no matter whose name was on it. I tried talking to her, but nothing changed. The situation reached a peak when she ruined our gender reveal surprise by opening the box of decorations and announcing the news herself. I was heartbroken and knew I needed to take action.
I decided that if she loved opening packages so much, I would give her one she’d never forget. I set up a delivery containing a glitter bomb—a harmless but messy prank designed to give her a shock. As usual, she pounced on the box the moment it was delivered. The result was instant and dramatic: glitter everywhere and a very surprised mother-in-law. The evidence was all over her and the house, and for the first time, she couldn’t pretend she hadn’t been snooping.
The lesson stuck. She never opened another one of my packages again, and the doorbell camera footage made sure the whole family knew why. What started as a frustrating problem ended with a laugh and a valuable lesson about respect and boundaries. It was a reminder that sometimes, a clever and lighthearted approach is the most effective way to resolve family tensions.
