I married for the second time and had a daughter from my previous relationship, but my ex-husband played no part in raising our child and never paid any child support.
I didnt hold it against him and tried to rely solely on myself. I had a decent salary and a respectable job, so I wasnt struggling. When I remarried, my mother-in-law never truly accepted me or my daughter, and my husband was rather indifferent towards her as well. He wasnt keen on having children of his own either, always saying it was too soon and he wasnt ready for that kind of responsibility.
I didnt push the issue.
At the time, I was in the midst of a major project at work and was absolutely swamped. I had a crucial meeting with some important partners, and I was stuck for someone to look after my daughter. I thought perhaps my husband could help out.
This morning, I got up at the crack of dawn to rehearse my opening speech. Then there was the school run to sort, as I was meant to pick my daughter up after work. Unfortunately, she came down with a high temperature. I asked my husband if he could stay with her so I could go to work, but he flatly replied that she was my responsibility, not his, and I should sort it out on my own.
I was at a loss, so I rang my mother-in-law to see if she was in. I brought my daughter round, but she told me she wouldnt watch her, as she wasnt her granddaughter. I burst into tears and said Id just have to take her to work with me then. That softened her a little, and she reluctantly agreed to look after her for a while.
Work went well, thankfully. After it was over, I went to pick up my daughter, but I was met with a barrage of complaints from my mother-in-law about how misbehaved shed been. I told her I wouldnt bother her again in future.
I went home, packed up my things, and moved in with my mum. I couldnt go on living with someone who refused to accept my child.
