I was only 22 years old when I found myself alone, left without a husband, holding my little David in my arms. My son was just two at the time. My husband decided he’d had enough of the constant worries, the pressure of earning money only to spend it on his family.
He didnt enjoy any of it. Honestly, he preferred spending his money on himself and his mistress rather than his family. No matter what kind of husband he was, life felt a little easier once he was gone. With his absence, all responsibilities fell squarely on my shoulders. I sent David off to nursery and took up a job myself. I recall feeling so tired at times, my legs barely carried me home, but my house was always tidy, there was a warm meal on the table, and my boy was fed and neat.
My mother raised me that way, and ours was a more resilient generation. I admit, I spoiled David a little. At 27, he cant even fry an egg. Not long ago, he married, and I thought finally hed found a wife to care for him. Maybe Id be able to pursue my own hobbies, take up extra work, and just enjoy a peaceful life. But then, my son announced that he and his wife would be living with me for a while. Naturally, I wasnt thrilled, but I agreed, thinking Kate would cook for him, do his laundry, and Id simply be patient until they moved on.
How wrong I was. Kate was quite a character. She never cleared the table after eating, wouldnt wash a single dish or do a load of laundry, and couldnt even sweep her own roomshe did absolutely nothing.
For three months, I looked after three people. Did I really need this? What did my daughter-in-law do? Since David decided hed support the family, Kate never worked. From morning until David came home from work, shed be out shopping with friends or chatting on the phone. Meanwhile, I worked full-time. When I returned in the evening, the house was a mess, belongings scattered everywhere, the fridge empty, not a meal cooked. I was left to head to Tesco, buy groceries, cook for everyone, and wash up after. Kate showed zero conscience. Once, she even brought me a plate shed kept in her room for days, while I was already scrubbing dishesso neglected it practically grew mushrooms.
The next time she handed me a dish, I told her straight: If she had any decency, shed at least wash up once in a while.
And guess what? Did she apologise or lift a finger? No, not at all. The next day, after a big argument, she and David packed up and moved out, renting a flat of their own. David accused me of trying to ruin his familybut for what? Telling Kate to wash the dishes once in her life? Well, thank goodness, now I live in peace. Everythings tidy, and Im not cleaning up after anyone but myself. Young people nowadays, I swear, are hopeless. But Ive learned, you cant rely on others to live your life for you. True happiness comes from respecting yourself and demanding the same respect from others.
