Lately, my daughter got divorced and moved in with us with her little one. We live in a small flat in London, just myself and my husband. I had thought that while my daughter was on maternity leave, she might spend some time with the baby at my mums place. But now, thats out of the question because my mum, at 68, has just remarried and is living with her new husband.
When my mum rang me to say she was getting married, I honestly thought it was a joke. Shes 68, after all! But no, she was perfectly serious. Mum had been living on her own for years after my father passed away, which was twenty years ago. I was thirty-five when I left home. Since then, Ive lived in the city with my husband and children, visiting Mum every month or so, and of course at Christmas or on her birthday.
Thankfully, Mum is still in good health and keeps the house going herself. My husband and I go round if she needs help in the garden or stacking firewood, but beyond that, she manages on her own.
And now, out of the blue, shes brought a man home. To me, it feels like a betrayal! How could she do this to us? Her fiancé is her age, an old friend she dated in her youthapparently, they got back in touch a few years ago. In July, they married at the local registry office, followed by a very modest lunch with just their closest friends and relatives.
My husband, the kids, and I didnt go to the wedding. In my heart, I felt it was all rather shameful. Why did Mum have to do this? She could have carried on as she was. Im firmly against this marriage and still cant come to terms with it. Mum has a big house, and now the two of them live there together.
Her husband hasnt any property of his own, just three grown-up children and a load of grandchildren. Why did she marry him? How could she make such a decision, knowing what it means for us? Now that theyre legally married, her husband has every right to claim a share of Mums estate. Meanwhile, were stuck in a cramped flat with barely enough room for ourselves.
With my daughter newly divorced and her toddler living here too, I help her look after the little one. My son is off with his girlfriend in a rented flat. I thought my daughter might be able to spend some time at Mums to give us more space, but that hopes gone, as Mum has started her new life.
We didnt speak for weeks. Just recently, my aunt from the countrysideMums sistertelephoned and told us off for our behaviour. She said we were out of line, that Mum deserves her own happiness, and we should try to be pleased for her. She reminded me it was unkind to fuss about inheritance while Mum is still very much alive, but I wish she could see things from my side.
As I see it, instead of someday inheriting my mums house, we might simply end up with an old stranger and all his problemshis needy family would never refuse their share of the inheritance. So in this situation, I believe Im in the right, and Mum is not.
Recently, My Daughter Got Divorced and Moved Into Our Tiny Flat With Her Baby—But Now My 68-Year-Old Mum Has Remarried and Started a New Life, Leaving Us Struggling With No Room and No Support
