“You’re not a mother, you’re a catastrophe!” — Nanny’s clashes with her mother-in-law pushed her to the brink.
Emily stood at the stove, flipping pasties, when her husband stepped into the kitchen.
“Emily, Mum called today,” began Daniel. “She says you won’t let her see the baby.”
“Complaining, was she?” Emily frowned, wiping her hands on her apron.
“Yeah. Says you keep making excuses. She hasn’t seen little Charlie in a month.”
Emily exhaled sharply, gripping the edge of the counter.
“Daniel… There’s something you need to know.” Her voice wavered. “Your mother… said something unforgivable.”
When she told him, Daniel sank into a chair, his face pale. He hadn’t seen this coming.
It had started a month ago. That day, Margaret—his mother—had barged in unannounced, as usual. She took one look at the hallway and scoffed.
“Utter chaos! Toys everywhere! How can you raise a child in this filth?”
Emily forced a smile, but her chest tightened. Charlie had just fallen asleep, his toys scattered where he’d played. But for Margaret, it was just another excuse to unleash her disapproval.
“Daniel!” she snapped. “Are you a man or a mouse? You should be laying down the law!”
“Mum, it’s fine,” he muttered, eyes glued to his phone.
“Fine? The place looks like a bombsite, and you’re acting like you’re on holiday!”
“Charlie’s just energetic,” Emily cut in, though her voice betrayed the strain.
“Energetic? You should be keeping an eye on him, not letting him run wild!”
And so it went—another lecture about how Daniel had been raised under a microscope, the perfect child, never a hair out of place. Emily nodded along, but resentment simmered inside her.
“Margaret,” she finally said, “I’m raising my son my way. He’s two. He’s exploring.”
“Exploring? Next, it’ll be scrapes and broken bones, and all you’ll say is ‘he’s learning’!”
“That’s what children do. They learn by trying, by making mistakes.”
“No! That’s your negligence. What if he really hurts himself?”
“Mum—” Daniel tried, but Margaret only grew fiercer.
“If you can’t be a proper mother, I’ll have to take matters into my own hands!”
The next day, she was back, rapping sharply on the door.
“Why so long? I thought no one was home!” she huffed.
“I was busy,” Emily replied coolly.
“More mess! Do you ever tidy up?”
“Of course. But Charlie plays. It’s normal.”
“Normal? In Daniel’s day—”
“Yes, I know. He was perfect. Not a speck out of place. Yet he still can’t fry an egg!”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“It means you raised a man who can’t fend for himself.”
“He works! He provides! While you sit at home!”
“I’m raising a child. And I want him to be independent—not like his father, a grown man who can’t boil a kettle.”
Just then, a crash rang out from the living room, followed by Charlie’s wail. Emily sprinted in—there he stood, a glass shattered beside him, his hand smeared with blood.
“Oh god—” She scooped him up. “Shh, sweetheart, it’s alright!”
“See what you’ve done!” Margaret hissed. “I warned you! You’re not a mother—you’re a catastrophe! I’ll report you to social services!”
Emily froze. This wasn’t just an insult—it was a threat.
“Fine. Bring an inspector. But right now—you need to leave.”
From that moment, Emily changed. She didn’t slam doors—she simply stopped opening them to Margaret without reason. There was always an excuse: quarantine, a doctor’s visit, renovations, Charlie was ill…
Once, Margaret turned up unannounced. Emily peered through the chain.
“Oh, didn’t you get my text? The doctor says Charlie’s immune system’s weak—no visitors for now.”
“I’m not a stranger!”
“No, but… medical advice is medical advice. We’ll see you when it’s safe!”
Margaret left in silent fury.
That evening, Daniel approached his wife.
“Mum says you’re keeping her from Charlie. Why?”
“Because I’m afraid. She threatened social services.”
“You’re overreacting.”
“Are you sure she won’t call them the next time she’s angry?”
He fell silent. Emily took his hand.
“He’s our son. His safety comes first.”
“You really think she’d hurt him?”
“She doesn’t see boundaries. Her ‘care’ is dangerous.”
“…Alright,” he relented. “I won’t push it.”
Emily smiled in relief. Her mother-in-law had crossed a line—and now, the rules had changed.
