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We Thought Mum Would Retire, Move to the Countryside, and Leave Her Three-Bedroom Flat to Us – But Instead She Let Us Down and Rented It Out to Go Travelling!

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I had always held out hope that my mum would retire, move to the countryside, and leave the spacious three-bedroom flat for my wife and me.

Let me tell you about my neighbour, Margaret. Shes 68 now, and until quite recently, she lived alone in her rather generous three-bedroom flat. Just the other day, she decided to rent out her place and go off gallivanting.

Her daughter, Emily, came round for a chat and aired her frustrations:
What is Mum playing at? Shes disappointed me more than I can say! Now my mother-in-law has started ranting that Ill end up losing my marbles when Im older, too. You know, the apple doesnt fall far from the tree, and all that. And the real kicker is that my husband and I have just taken out a car loan! Were two months behind already. We were counting on Mum we really thought shed help us out. But instead, she’s sublet her flat and dashed off on holiday!

I just looked at Emily, bewildered: why on earth should her mother be responsible for their car repayments? Still, Emily pressed on:
My mother-in-law is furious that were living in her flat, while my own mums just waltzed off and decided her propertys better as a source of income!

I could see Emily was hoping for a bit of sympathy, but honestly, I think Margaret did exactly what she ought to have done. Shes entitled to live her life however she sees fit. Why do people assume that when a woman retires, shes obligated to devote every waking moment to her children and grandchildren? It strikes me as rather unfair. So, I asked Emily:

Why dont you and your husband rely on yourselves? On your own efforts and hard work? Why havent you spent the last fifteen years sorting out your own home? Then your mother-in-law wouldnt have grounds to complain.

Emily went on:
We had so much hope that when Mum retired, shed move out to the country and wed inherit her lovely three-bedroom flat!

And, I couldnt help but tease her a bit:
Imagine if Margaret ends up marrying again! You know, I had a friend who went away to Spain, met a bloke, and married him. Now shes living happily ever after there. Maybe Margaret will do something similar.

At that, Emily just stared at me in disbelief. Id only just seen some photos of Margaret online shed posted saying she was having a brilliant time and loving life. Im genuinely pleased for her. I reckon she made the right decision. Age isnt an obstacle to happiness or to having new and enjoyable experiences; its merely a number.

If theres anything Ive taken away from all this, its the important reminder to carve your own path and not expect others, even family, to live for your convenience.

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We Thought Mum Would Retire, Move to the Countryside, and Leave Her Three-Bedroom Flat to Us – But Instead She Let Us Down and Rented It Out to Go Travelling!