For about a year, my son had been living with Kate, yet we’d never met her parents—which seemed odd to me, so I decided to look into it I’ve always tried to raise my son to respect women above all—the women in his life: his grandmother, his mother, his wife, his daughter. In my opinion, there’s no finer quality in a man than respect for women. My husband and I made sure our son had an excellent upbringing and education, equipping him with everything he’d need for a smooth journey through life. We never wanted to help him out too much, but even so, we bought him a two-bedroom flat. Although he had a job and supported himself, he couldn’t quite afford a home of his own. We didn’t give him the flat right away—in fact, we didn’t even tell him we’d bought it. And why? Our son was living with his girlfriend, after all. For about a year, our son had been sharing his life with Kate, but we’d never met her parents, and I found that strange. Later, I discovered that Kate’s mother used to be a neighbour of one of my friends. She told me something that left me with a bad feeling. It turns out Kate’s mother threw her husband out when his income dropped—but the real drama was only just beginning… The mother then started seeing a married, but wealthy man. Kate’s grandmother, like her daughter, also had a relationship with a married man, and even forced both her daughter and granddaughter to go work on his country estate. Because of all this, my son had already had multiple run-ins with his future mother-in-law. But what unsettled me most about this story is that both the mother and grandmother were driving a wedge between Kate and her father. It’s clear the girl loves her dad, but because of these two women, her relationship with him is at risk. And to top it all off, Kate has decided to drop out of her studies. She believes a man should provide for the family. I see her point—I’ve raised my son to do just that—but heaven forbid they ever face hardship. Who’s to say what will happen if life throws them a curveball? How will she support her husband in tough times? By the way, I transferred the flat back into my name, since I know I’ve raised a gentle soul, as the saying goes. And yes, everything acquired before marriage isn’t split in a divorce—but I have a feeling Kate is clever enough to leave my ‘gentleman’ with nothing but his socks.

Its been about a year now that my son has been living with Emily, but wed never met her family. I found that rather odd, so I decided I should look into it.

From the start, Ive always tried to bring my son up with a deep respect for women whether its his grandmother, his mother, his wife, or his daughter in the future. In my view, theres nothing more important in a man than respect for women. My wife and I gave our son everything we could: a solid upbringing, a good education, and every possible tool to find his way in life. While we didnt want to simply hand everything to him, we did quietly buy a two-bedroom flat for him. He had a job and did his best to support himself, but saving up for a place of his own in London was still out of reach.

We kept the purchase of the flat under wraps he had no idea wed bought it. Why? Because our son was living with his girlfriend, and it seemed wiser not to complicate things. Emily had been living with him for about a year, yet wed never been introduced to her family, which struck me as somewhat unusual.

Later, through a friend of mine, I learnt that Emilys mother used to be their neighbour. I heard something that unsettled me. Apparently, Emilys mother had kicked her own husband out when his earnings dipped. But thats not the strangest part Shed then taken up with a married but considerably wealthier man. Strangely enough, Emilys grandmother had done much the same; she too had a relationship with a married man and would drag both her daughter and granddaughter out to his country house, expecting them to help with the chores around the smallholding.

Because of this family backdrop, my son has already had several run-ins with his future mother-in-law. Still, what troubles me most is how both mother and grandmother seem intent on turning Emily against her father.

Emily clearly loves her dad, but thanks to these two women, her relationship with him hangs by a thread. And to top it all off: Emilys decided to quit university. Shes come to believe a mans job is to provide for his family and nothing more. Now, thats a value I share; Ive prepared my son for that role. But heaven forbid they fall on hard times what would she do then? Who will steady her husband if things get rocky? Just in case, Ive had the flat registered in my own name. I know, its not exactly the done thing, but as the saying goes, I didnt raise a fool. Everything bought before the marriage stays separate if things go south, but Emilys the sort who could send my gentleman off with nothing but his socks!

Today, looking back at all this restless worry, I see the value in asking questions and following your gut. I suppose the lesson is, as families grow and change, its wise to be both supportive and watchful. Love your children, trust them, but keep your wits about you its the only way to protect what truly matters.