Before her divorce, Emily took care of her child on her own, but later she found a nannyher ex-husbands mum. At first, shed asked if her mother-in-law knew anyone who could help, but the woman offered to step in herselffor a fee, of course. Emilys salary isnt huge, so she has to watch every penny.
At work, Ive got this colleague whos really struggling. She hardly takes care of herselfno trips to the salon, nothing. I keep wondering where her wages go. She lives with her parents, doesnt have a mortgage, and her ex-mother-in-law looks after her kidplus, she gets child support.
Turns out, Emily has to pay her parents rent for her room *and* her ex-mother-in-law for childcare. How is that even fair?
About six months ago, when Emily started working with us, we hit it off straight away. Weve got loads in commonsimilar hobbies, kids the same age. She told me right off the bat that shed split from her husband and moved back in with her parents. Theyre well-off, both in their fifties, with good jobs. Theyve got a nice house in the countryside and jet off on holiday abroad all the time. When Emily came back, they gave her a room to stay in.
I thought maybe shed live there rent-free, but nothey started charging her from day one. Emilys just relieved shes with family rather than strangers, and its better for her little one too.
They did give her a shelf in the fridge, thoughshe doesnt touch their stuff, just sneaks the odd bit of fruit for her kid sometimes.
I dont get how parents can act like that. Especially since Emily left her husband with nothingshe was in debt to her own mum and dad for months afterward.
Before the divorce, she handled everything herself, but later she needed a nanny. She found oneher ex-mother-in-law. At first, she asked if the woman knew anyone, but she offered to do it herself… for a fee. Emily agreed because, well, the woman knows her grandchild inside outwhat he likes, what he doesnt, whats safe and whats not. Shes reliable. So now, when needed, the ex-mother-in-law steps in.
Itd all be fine if Emily werent skint. She barely scrapes byluxuries are completely out of the question.
Honestly, I just cant wrap my head around parents treating their own child like this…
