Holiday with Brazen Family: Time to Set Some Boundaries Ive been putting up with this for a fortnight, Sam!
Don’t Leave, Mum: A Family Story
The wisdom goes: people are hard to figure out at first.
But Barbara Matthews always thought that was nonsense—she was sure she understood people perfectly!
Her daughter, Amelia, got married a year ago.
Barbara had dreamed that Amelia would find a worthy young man, there’d be grandchildren, and she, as the grandmother, would be at the centre of a big, happy family once again.
Her new son-in-law, Ross, wasn’t a fool—and he certainly wasn’t poor, something he seemed rather proud of. But they began their married life in Ross’s own flat, hardly ever asking for Barbara’s advice!
In fact, Ross seemed to be a bad influence on Amelia!
None of this fit with Barbara’s plans, and Ross soon got on her nerves.
“Mum, you just don’t understand—Ross grew up in care. He achieved everything on his own, he’s strong, he’s good, and he’s kind,” Amelia said, upset.
Barbara just pursed her lips, always finding a new flaw in Ross.
Now she saw him as a fraud, pretending to be something he wasn’t with her daughter. It was her maternal duty to reveal the truth about this empty, useless man—before it was too late!
No proper education, stubborn, not interested in anything!
At weekends, he just sits in front of the TV—apparently he’s “tired”!
And Amelia wants to spend her whole life with this sort of man? No way—one day she’d thank her mother.
And if children come along—her, Barbara’s grandchildren—what could they possibly learn from a father like that!?
Barbara was bitterly disappointed. Ross, sensing her disapproval, started to avoid her, too.
Their conversations became rarer, until Barbara stopped visiting their home altogether.
Amelia’s father, ever the gentle soul, stayed neutral—he knew his wife only too well.
But one night, Amelie called, her voice panicked:
“Mum, I haven’t told you, but I’m away on a business trip for two days. Ross caught a chill on site, and he came home early—he wasn’t feeling great. I’ve been calling him, but he’s not picking up.”
“Why are you telling me this, Amelia?” Barbara snapped. “You live your lives now, barely even think about your father and me! Does anyone care how I feel? Apparently not! And now you’re ringing at night to tell me Ross is ill—are you serious?”
“Mum…” Amelia’s voice trembled; she really did sound worried, “I just feel sad that you won’t see we love each other. You think Ross is unworthy, but you’re wrong! How can you think your own daughter would fall in love with the wrong man? Don’t you trust me?”
Barbara was silent.
“Mum, please—I know you still have the key to our flat. Please, could you check on Ross? I think something might have happened to him! Please—Mum!”
“Alright—just for you,” said Barbara, waking her husband.
No one answered the door at Amelia and Ross’s flat. Barbara unlocked it herself.
Inside, it was dark—was anyone even home?
“Maybe he’s not here?” her husband suggested, but Barbara silenced him, suddenly feeling Amelia’s worry.
She entered the living room, and was horrified—Ross was lying awkwardly on the sofa, clearly feverish.
The paramedic brought Ross around:
“Don’t worry, seems your son’s had complications after a cold. He’s been working too hard?” the doctor asked kindly.
“Yes, he works hard,” Barbara replied.
“He’ll be alright. Just keep an eye on his temperature and ring us if you need to.”
Ross was soon asleep again. Barbara sat by his bedside, feeling strange—here she was, at the bedside of her despised son-in-law.
He lay there, pale, hair slicked to his forehead with sweat, looking much younger and softer than usual.
“Mum,” he mumbled, half asleep, grabbing her hand, “don’t leave, Mum.”
Barbara was taken aback but didn’t pull her hand away.
She sat with him all night long.
At dawn, Amelia called:
“Mum, I’m sorry—I’ll be home soon. There’s no need for you to go—you’ll see, it’s nothing serious.”
“It’s alright. Everything’s fine now,” Barbara smiled. “We’re here, waiting for you—with everything under control.”
*****
When her first grandchild was born, Barbara was the first to offer her help.
Ross thanked her, kissing her hand: “See, Amelia—I told you, your mum would support us.”
Barbara, cradling little Timothy, wandered through the flat speaking fondly to the baby:
“Well, Timmy—you’re a lucky lad. You’ve got the best parents, and a devoted nan and grandad. You’re a lucky boy!”
So perhaps there is some truth in the saying—you can’t judge a person straight away.
And only love can help you truly understand. Dont Leave, Mum. A Family Tale Theres an old English saying: You cant judge a book by its coverthough
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When I boarded the plane, I noticed that our seats were already occupied. My wife and I were planning
Ill Always Be With You, Mum A Story You Just Might Believe Grandma Betty had been impatiently counting
You take advantage of Gran. She looks after your child and wont even take mine at the weekends.
Funny how life turns out, isnt it? Could have gone a completely different way. Our neighbours always
Nan, I need a favour, Tom blurted out, glancing at the floor. I really need some money. Quite a lot.
So, tomorrow is my mother-in-laws birthday, and shes decided she wants to celebrate it in our flat.
