I always told my son that the financial situation of his future fiancée would never matter to us. So he was happy and married Emily, who had never had much money and generally lived a modest, unspoilt life.
After the wedding, the young couple moved into the house we bought for them. My husband and I had it completely refurbished, and now we try to support them financially and regularly bring them groceries. My daughter-in-law is a good womanshe gave me a grandsonso right now she isnt working, and my son doesnt have a particularly prestigious job or a great salary, either.
You can imagine my shock when I walked into their house, where my children and grandson live, and found an unfamiliar woman cleaning. My daughter-in-law had hired a housekeeper, but she herself wasnt doing anything. How could she justify that? Where was her conscience?
I told the stranger to leaveafter all, its still my house! And here she is, cleaning with money that, as far as Im concerned, is still ours. Where would my son and his wife get the funds for these sorts of luxuries? I decided to wait for Emily to return, as she was out with the baby. When they got back, I didnt postpone the conversation. I brought it up straight away. Emily replied,
Mum, during my maternity leave I became a blogger, so Im earning a decent salary now, and besides, I really need the help around the house because I spend so much time working!
A blogger? Is that even a real job? Can anyone actually earn tangible money doing that? I dont want strangers cleaning my house.
If youve got that much money, pay me and Ill tidy uptheres no need for an outsider, I suggested.
Emily just shrugged and went to feed my grandson. I waited for my son to come home, prepared to give him an update on the family. He just said,
Mum, I knew about the cleaner. Emily works very hard, and I want to spend time with our son after work tootheres nothing wrong with it.
I just cant understand this generationwhere do they find the money for this sort of thing? I rushed to tell my husband, and do you know what he said?
You dont need to meddle in the young ones lives! Theyre adultstheyll manage just fine on their own!
Id not been this furious in a long time. Im convinced Im doing and saying exactly whats right! What do you think?
Sometimes, though, it pays to step back and let others live life on their own terms. Supporting them doesnt mean controlling their every choice; perhaps the most loving thing is learning to trust the family you’ve raised.
