Being the only child in my family, I was never really considered the favourite, though my parents had longed for a child. When I was 23 and five months pregnant, doubts began to creep in about whether I was truly their biological son. My parents are both in their seventies now, and our financial situation is dire. We rent a small flat and struggle to make ends meet. My partner and I both study and work, but its barely enough to cover our expenses. On two separate occasions, weve faced eviction threats for falling behind on the rent, forcing us to borrow from friends. Because of this, were in debt, sometimes unable to afford food, and under constant financial strain. From time to time, my parents lend us a hand with groceries.
My parents were insistent that we get married, so without much deliberation, my partner and I went down to the registry office and got married. Soon after, my parents started pressing us to have children.
My mother repeatedly stressed that I must have a child, warning me that otherwise, Id end up just like her. Despite her urgings, neither of us felt ready for the responsibility of a child, especially given our shaky finances. Thats when my parents made us an appealing offer: They proposed giving us their nest egg if I became a father, with which we could buy a small house in a nearby village. In exchange, my parents would move to the countryside, and wed be able to keep the city flat for ourselves. My wife and I mulled it over and agreed it seemed a sensible solutionno more stressing about paying rent, and we could spend whatever was left over on essentials for ourselves. Mum promised shed look after the baby while I finished my degree.
On top of that, they promised us financial help and support to buy everything wed need for both me and the baby. Yet now, at seven months pregnant, none of those promises has been kept. They havent so much as bought us a single nappy. Mum rings often, asking about the preparations for the birth, even though I can’t afford even the basics, like babygrows and vests. She suggests my wife gets a third job to help cover the costs. When I remind her of their promise to help financially, she flatly denies ever suggesting it, criticising our decisions and calling us reckless.
When my daughter was born, my parents suddenly remembered the nest egg again, but by then, my wife and I had resolved to buy a flat on our own, realising at last that we couldnt rely on their help.
