La vida

8th September How much does your ex pay in child maintenance? The question landed as unexpectedly as

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

La vida

08

You’re a Traitor – The Wedding’s Off!

Youre a traitortherell be no wedding. My darling, what nonsense are you throwing at me? David spoke with

La vida

05

My Daughter-in-Law Is Angry With Me Over the Flat and Has Turned My Son Against Me

Many years ago, my daughter-in-law grew upset with me over the matter of my flat and has since begun

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07

My Second Husband Turned Out to Be a Wonderful Man Who Never Hesitated to Spend Generously on Shopping for Me and My Son

My second husband turned out to be a truly wonderful man, one who never hesitates to spend on me or my

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08

I Always Thought My Life Was Under Control: A Secure Job, My Own Home, Over a Decade of Marriage, Lifelong Neighbours—But No One Knew, Not Even Her, That I Was Leading a Double Life with My Own Affairs, Until Security Cameras Revealed My Wife’s Secret and I Realised I Wasn’t the Only One Lying

Id always believed that my life was firmly under control. Solid job, my own house, a marriage going strong

La vida

07

Without a Little Luck, There Can Be No Happiness: The Unexpected Journey of Mary, an Outcast Mother, Who Finds Home, Hope and Love on a Scorching English Summer’s Day

Without Luck, Thered Be No Happiness How could you let him take you, you silly girl! Whos going to want

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03

I Won’t Let My Husband Support Another Man’s Child

How much does your ex pay in child maintenance? That question hit me out of nowhere, like a cold wave

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03

A Week Before Mother’s Day, I Barely Escaped the Courtroom in Tears—My Mind Echoed Only One Sentence: “You Are No Longer Husband and Wife”

A week before Mothers Day, I barely made it out of the courthouse. Tears blurred my eyes. There was only

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04

You’re a Traitor—There Will Be No Wedding!

“Youre a traitorthere shant be a wedding” “My love, whatever nonsense are you accusing