A Lesson for a Wife Fed Up! – Tom flung his spoon across the table, glaring at his wife with frustration. Can you even call this edible? Soggy pasta that’s basically mush, and a couple of barely cooked sausages! What did you do all day? Stuck to your phone as usual? How can you say that? – Sarah protested dramatically, quickly hiding the very device in question. I was chasing after Charlie all day! He’s such a handful! Just like his father, she added, watching her husband’s temper rise. It’s hard for me, you know? Ever since I gave birth, nothing’s been easy… Charlie’s two and a half now, Tom said, trying to stay calm. He should be in nursery by now, and you could go back to work. Things would get easier! Why should I put my son in some germ-ridden daycare? Sarah shot back. Do you want us always in hospital? You do realise a child needs to be occupied and properly stimulated, don’t you? We do plenty! Charlie’s doing great for his age, the paediatrician said so! Sarah stood her ground. This argument had come up before; she dreaded Tom actually sending Charlie off to nursery. She wasn’t keen on returning to work—she’d grown used to half-days spent browsing the internet and didn’t want to give it up! And who do we have to thank for Charlie’s progress? Tom lost his patience, slamming his fist on the table so the plates rattled. My mum! She’s the one who comes over and plays with Charlie. You’re either napping or on your phone! Couldn’t you tidy up or make a decent meal for once? Why should I come home from work to THIS? Tom looked at the meal in disgust. I’m not your cook! Or your cleaner! I’m your wife! And as my husband, you should be providing me a comfortable life! Sarah truly believed what she said. After countless daytime talk shows and hours spent on “mums’” forums, she’d changed her mind about what it meant to be a wife. She’d once thought she should care for her husband, do housework, and raise children, but now she saw that as the role of a servant, not a wife. She valued herself too highly for that. So that’s how it is? Tom ground out, after listening to her fiery speech. I’m out working all hours so you can keep the sofa warm? That it? I’m working on self-improvement, Sarah retorted proudly. You’ll be bragging to your mates about how clever your wife is soon enough. I can hold my own in any conversation! Can you? What’s the last book you read? What’s something new you’ve learned? Tom got up, looming over her. Well? Go on, say something! Scrolling through social media doesn’t count as intellectual growth. And those shouty talk shows—what use are they? Be honest: are you going to look after your home and our child or not? No! Like I said, I’m not a maid… Sarah burst out with a torrent of complaints: Tom didn’t earn enough, acted like a domestic tyrant, was never around… Tom listened in silence, then responded with a single word: Divorce. What? Sarah gasped, midway through a new rant. Divorce, Tom repeated coolly. I’ll find a woman who’ll be a good wife and mother to Charlie. He spends more time with his grandmas than with you anyway. You’re not a mother—you don’t deserve that title. And you’re certainly not a wife. Sarah was thrown for a minute, but then dismissed him. He was bluffing—he wouldn’t really divorce her! Surely the court would let Charlie stay with his mum—everyone knows kids belong with their mothers, right? Tom changed. He barely spoke to her. Soon, Charlie and his grandma went to the seaside for a couple of weeks. Sarah was delighted at first—no more interruptions when she wanted to scroll on her phone. But after a while, she started to miss Charlie and called her mother-in-law more often. Then, two weeks after the argument, a court summons arrived. Tom had kept his promise—he’d begun divorce proceedings. And at the hearing, came another shock: Sarah’s own mum sided with Tom. I believe Charlie should stay with his father, she said firmly, eyeing her daughter. Unfortunately, Sarah has neglected her child entirely; all the work has fallen on me and Tom’s mum, Margaret. Tom works long hours, but still manages to spend time with his son. The judge nodded, glancing at Sarah with a faint smile. And rightly so—Sarah had nothing. No home, no job, no real bond with her child. Tom had a good chance of winning custody. I’m asking for more time! Don’t divorce us! Give me a chance! Sarah sobbed. Tom, I swear I’ll change. I’ll forget this nonsense about being a ‘housemaid’ and be the model wife! Just believe me! Alright… *************************** One Month Earlier My daughter is completely spoiled, I’m ashamed of her, said Susan. Tom, I understand—you’re right to question if you need such a wife. She’s home all day and doesn’t even tidy up, never mind taking care of her son. So if you want a divorce, I won’t judge. Just let me see Charlie, that’s all I’ll ask. I love Sarah, faults and all, Tom sighed. But things aren’t working. I want to give her a chance. Why not? And I know just how: file for divorce. Sarah will resist it, so you’ll get the three-month reconciliation period. That’ll sort her head out for sure. *************************** Sarah learnt her lesson. The flat was sparkling, scents of home-cooked meals filled the air, and Sarah herself was welcoming and attentive. At last, she focused on her son—much to Charlie’s delight. He really did love his scatterbrained mum…

A Lesson for My Wife

Ive had enough! snapped Edward, tossing his spoon aside and glowering at his wife. You call this edible? The pastas boiled to a mush, and the meatballs are practically raw! What have you been doing all day? Glued to your phone again, I suppose?

How dare you? wailed Emily, theatrically dabbing her eyes while sneaking her mobile out of view. I have been looking after Charlie! Hes such a handful, just like his father. Her voice dripped with spite as she watched anger simmer in her husbands face. You have no idea how hard it is! Everythings falling apart since we had him

Charlies nearly three now, Edward replied, working to keep his voice steady. Its time he started nursery, and you could return to work. Things would soon get easier.

Why should I send my son to a hive of germs? Emily protested, affronted. Do you want us living at the doctors?

A child needs stimulation and to learn new things, in case you hadnt realised.

We do plenty! Charlies development for his age is excellent, and the paediatrician said so herself at his last check-up, Emily shot back, determined to stand her ground. She dreaded the thought of Edward sending Charlie to nursery. The idea of going back to work was utterly distastefulafter months of maternity leave, shed become accustomed to long, lazy hours online and had no intention of giving that up.

And who do you think we should thank for that? Edward lost his temper, thumping the table so hard the plates rattled. My mum! Shes the one who actually spends time engaging with Charlie! While youre either napping or scrolling through your phone. Perhaps you could tidy the house or cook a proper dinner for once? Why should I slog away all day and come home to this? He gestured in disgust at her latest attempt at dinner.

Im not your skivvy, nor your cleaner! Im your wife! And as your husband, its your job to provide me a comfortable life! Emily declared.

She genuinely believed every word. After watching dozens of talk shows and trawling through womens forums, Emily had reinvented her vision of marriage. Once, shed thought a wife ought to care for her husband, keep the house spotless, and bring up the children properly. Now, it was clear to her: those were the jobs of hired staff, not a well-valued wife like herself.

So thats your answer? Edward ground out, his jaw clenched tight. I work all day to support the family, and you just warm the sofa?

Im working on self-development, Emily announced with pride. Soon youll boast to your mates about how clever your wife is, able to chat on any topic you throw at me.

Can you? he shot back. Which book have you read lately, then? Learned anything new? Edward stood up and leaned over her. Nothing to say, have you? Your social media doesn’t count as education, and those trashy TV shows youre glued to teach you nothing but how to shout. Answer me honestly: are you going to start looking after our son and the house like a proper wife, or not?

No! I told you, Im not the help

Emily erupted, rattling off a list of complaints. He didnt earn enough, he was a tyrant at home, he was barely ever around Edward listened silently, then replied in a single, decisive word:

Divorce.

What? Emily gasped, mid-rant, caught off guard just as shed drawn breath for more.

Divorce, Edward repeated coldly. Ill find a real woman to be a good wife and a proper mum for my son. You’re hardly with Charlie anywaymy mum and your mum do everything. You dont deserve to be called his mother, or my wife, for that matter.

Emily was unsettled for a moment but then waved away his words. Surely he was only trying to scare her. He wouldnt really go through with it, would he? And theyd never give custody of Charlie to his fathershe was his mum, after all!

Edward changed. He ignored her, barely acknowledged her existence. Soon, Charlie and his grandmother went off to the seaside for a fortnightEmily happily agreed, grateful for the peace and quiet, finally able to browse her phone without interruption. After a few days, though, she missed her little boy and started calling her mother-in-law more often.

Then, two weeks after the argument, a letter from court arrived. Edward was true to his wordhed filed for divorce. At the hearing, Emily was stunned to find even her own mother sided with Edward.

Charlie should stay with his father, her mum said stoutly, giving Emily a disapproving look. Unfortunately, Emilys not shown a mothers instinct, nor has she been involved in Charlies care. I did most of it, along with Edwards mother. Edward may work hard but always makes time for his son.

The judge nodded, casting a knowing look at the anxious young woman. She had nothingno home, no job, no meaningful connection with her child. The odds were stacked in Edwards favour for custody.

Im asking for a chance to make things right! Please dont grant the divorcegive me one more chance! Emily sobbed. Edward, I swear, Ill change. Ill put all that rot about housekeepers out of my mind and be a model wife! Please, just believe me!

Alright

***********************

A month earlier.

My daughters gotten lazy, and Im ashamed of her, sighed Nina, shaking her head. Edward, I do understand. Why put up with a wife like that? She sits around all day and cant even keep the house in ordernever mind looking after Charlie properly. So if you decide on divorce, I wouldnt blame you, just allow me to see Charlie from time to time, thats all I ask.

I do love Emily, faults and all, Edward said, sighing heavily. But yes, the situations become unbearable. Id like her to have a chance to turn things round, though.

Why not? Nina mused. In fact, I know just what to do. File for divorce. Emily will certainly refuse, so youll have three months reconciliation period. Thatll give her the wake-up call she needs.

**************************

Emily learnt her lesson. The house was spotless once more. Delicious smells wafted from the kitchen, and she herself had become cheerful and attentive. She finally paid Charlie the affection he craved, and he was overjoyed. He loved his once-wayward mum very much.