My Son’s Girlfriend Can’t Do the Basics… What Should I Do? My mother-in-law passed away several years ago, and after her funeral, I promised myself that I’d live by the rule: for the departed, it’s either all good or nothing at all. I also swore to myself—no matter who married my son—I would never turn into her. But intentions are one thing, and life is another. My only son, Alex, just turned 25 and brought home a girlfriend at the start of summer. Sticking to my decision not to interfere in his choices, I welcomed her warmly and tried to keep an open mind. I swore I wouldn’t look down on her, nitpick, or lecture—my late mother-in-law did all that, which led us to barely stand each other. I don’t want to drive Alex or his girlfriend away. Honestly, I even enjoy making them coffee, knowing exactly how they like their breakfast, and spoiling them on weekends—even though weekdays are too busy for any extras. So I make myself scarce—off with my husband to the countryside, visiting friends for chutney and pickling sessions, or popping round to my mum, leaving the young couple the house to themselves. Recently, though, something funny but also a little worrying happened, and I felt compelled to share. One evening, Alex’s girlfriend showed off a pretty, cheap new top she bought on her way home from work—a bargain because one of the buttons was missing. She tried it on, it looked lovely—and the next day, when I asked if she’d wear it to our visit, she didn’t. Why? Because… she couldn’t sew the button back on. “Oh, come on!” slipped out before I could stop myself—I was stunned that a 22-year-old woman didn’t own a needle, thread, or spare buttons. And tomorrow, darling, what then? How will you manage the house and family, or handle important decisions? Family challenges indeed! Now I don’t know what to do—should I just sew the button back on without another thought, show her how it’s done, or leave it—her blouse, her business? One thing’s clear—I don’t want to be a ‘bad’ mother-in-law. I’ve seen what that’s like, and I want no part of it.

My dog doesnt know basic things What should I do?

A few years ago, my mother-in-law passed away, and after we laid her to rest, I promised myself Id follow the old rule: say only good things about the departed, or say nothing at all.

I also swore to myself one more thing regardless of whatever daughter-in-law might come into my life, I would never turn out like her.

Intentions are one thing, but life often has a mind of its own.

My only son, Daniel, turned 25 this year and brought home a girlfriend at the start of summer.

Determined not to interfere in his choices, I welcomed Emily with an open heartand, perhaps, just a touch of reserve.

I told myself I wouldnt look down on her, pick faults, or offer unsolicited adviceall the things my late mother-in-law did, until we ended up barely able to look each other in the eye.

I dont want to drive away Daniel or his girlfriend. Truth be told, I quite enjoy spoiling them with coffee in the mornings, knowing exactly how they each like it, or treating them to a special breakfast on weekends, whenever I can carve out the time.

On weekdays, Im usually outeither at the lake with my husband, popping in on friends, or visiting my mum to make chutney and picklesleaving the young couple to their own devices.

Still, something rather amusing happened recently that left me unsure of what to do. One evening, Emily showed me a new blouse shed picked up on her way back from work.

It hadnt cost much, even less so since it was missing a button.

She tried it on and it really did look lovely. The next day, Friday, we planned to visit a family friend and I asked if she wanted to wear her new blouse but she said she couldnt, as she hadnt been able to sew on the missing button.

Oh, really! I blurted out, genuinely amazed that, at 22, Emily didnt have a needle, some thread, and a spare button to hand.

And I found myself wondering: what about tomorrow, darling? How will she manage a household or make important decisions in the future?

Now Im caughtshould I just sew the button on for her, teach her how its done, or leave her to sort it in her own time? If she wants to wear the blouse, shell fix itor itll simply hang in the wardrobe, buttonless.

One thing I am sure of: I dont want to become a bad mother-in-law. Ive seen what that does and I want no part of it.