My husband and I have always considered ourselves a good, respectable family. This is our first marriage, and weve lived together for 25 years. We have never raised our voices at each other in front of our daughterweve always shown love and care for one another. All in all, we have a happy marriage. Id hoped that, by growing up with a positive example, our daughter would one day follow in our footsteps and create her own happy family. People often say children learn from what they see at home.
But thats exactly where our trouble lies. Our daughter isnt married yet, though she does have a boyfriend. Two years ago, my mother passed away, leaving behind a flat in Manchester. My husband and I decided to pass it on to our daughter. Now shes told us that she and her boyfriend have moved in there.
We dont mind her having her own private life. The problem is that this boyfriend of hers is simply dreadful. He doesnt lift a finger around the housenot even the jobs youd expect a man to help with. Whenever a tap leaks or a lightbulb needs changing, our daughter rings her father right away. Ive asked her more than once why her boyfriend doesnt help, but she never gives an answer. She keeps promising hell get his act together soon.
To make things worse, we recently found out hes out of work. Hes not earning a single pound, so our daughter is left to manage everything. Shes taken on two jobs just to keep them both afloat. It doesnt seem like he really cares for her well-being.
I told her straightits not a wise choice. But she wont listen. She believes hell change and that everything will work out because she loves him. I love my daughter, and it breaks my heart to watch her go through this.
In life, you can set the best example and offer all the support you have, but in the end, your children must walk their own path and learn their own lessons. Sometimes the hardest thing for a parent is to stand by and let them do just that.
