Recently, my daughter went through a divorce and moved in with us, bringing her young child along. We have a small flat where my husband and I live. I thought that while she’s on maternity leave, she might stay with her child at my mother’s place, but that’s now impossible since my mother, at 68, got married and moved in with her husband.
When my mother rang me to share her wedding plans, I initially thought she was joking because of her age. Sadly, it turned out to be true. Mother had been living alone for years; her husband passed away two decades ago. I was 35 when I moved out. My husband and I, along with our children, live in town and visit Mum several times a month and for special occasions.
Thank goodness, Mum is in good health and manages the household herself. My husband and I visit to help with garden chores or preparing firewood, but she handles everything else on her own.
Now, she’s decided to bring her husband home. How could she do this to us? Her fiancé was an old acquaintance, and they rekindled their relationship a few years back. In early July, the newlyweds married in a civil ceremony, celebrated with a modest gathering at a local restaurant.
My family and I didn’t attend the wedding, as I found it embarrassing. Why did my mother need this? They could’ve lived without the official ties. I’m firmly against this marriage and still can’t come to terms with it. Mum owns a large house where they now reside together.
Mother’s new husband has no assets, only three children and a bunch of grandchildren. Why did she do this? How could she inflict this on us? Now that they’re legally married, Mum’s spouse has a legitimate claim to our inheritance. We live in a small flat with my husband.
My daughter recently divorced and is living with us, along with her young child. I help her with the little one. My son lives with his girlfriend in a rented flat. I thought my daughter might stay at my mother’s during her maternity leave, but Mum has started a new life of her own.
We haven’t spoken in over six months. My aunt, Mum’s sister from the village, recently called and admonished us. She says we’re being unreasonable and that Mum deserves her happiness. We should be glad for her. It’s inhumane to worry about inheritance while Mum is alive. But they should also consider my perspective.
There’s a chance that instead of inheriting Mum’s house, we’ll find ourselves with a problematic old step-grandfather and his needy relatives, unlikely to forfeit their claim to an inheritance. That’s why I honestly believe I’m the one who’s right here, not Mum.
