My daughter-in-law just keeps having babies. I cant help but feel a bit sorry for my grandchildren. Let me explain why.
My son tied the knot at 33, which nowadays is nothing unusual, though it used to be considered rather late. He married when his girlfriend fell pregnant. We were over the moon, as it was our first grandchilda little girl. We couldnt have been happier. My daughter-in-law isnt a bad sort at all; she runs a tidy house, shes young, pleasant, and, to my surprise, she can even knita skill Ive never had the patience for myself. All in all, shes a sweet young woman with her head screwed on, my son is content, and what more could a father ask for?
When our granddaughter turned three, they announced another baby was on the way. Their second child, a boy, arrived and they started renovating the old house my gran left us. Fair enough; we were pleased for them. But then, less than three years later, my daughter-in-law said she was expecting again, and two years after that, yet another pregnancy was announced.
They scrape by on my sons wages. Hes resourcefulcan fix most things, takes on building and repair jobs, and always pitches in where needed. Still, hes a regular driver by trade. Why do they need a third child? Hes rarely home as it is, always working odd jobs to make ends meet.
Just before Christmas, my daughter-in-law handed me a list of things the children needed. Youd think it would be sweets and toys, wouldnt you? But noit was just the basics: massage oil, socks, tights, all sorts of essentials you dont see advertised on telly.
I asked my son where they were planning to have the fourth baby, but he just brushed it off.
Im proud I raised a hardworking, responsible son whos never been afraid of rolling up his sleeves. His wifes nearly 35, but shes never held a job and has nothing on her CV. Wouldnt shock me if she has a fifth by the time shes forty. But I wont be around forever; or Ill be too old to help. Her mother has passed away, so shes got no one else to turn to for help except me. At least theyve finally finished the house, but its still bursting at the seams with four kids, barely a cottage.
I once asked her, What will you do when all the benefits run out? Where will you find a job at forty with no work experience? She said shed just muddle through somehow. But if, heaven forbid, anything should happen to my sonwhat then? How could I possibly raise all those children?
I have another son whos always telling me off for not spending enough time with his own child. Truth is, I havent the hours, as all my time is spent helping my eldests family.
