So, Ive been on maternity leave for four years now. The kids are pretty close in age, so Ive just carried on doing my mum duties. My husband works two jobs, weve got our own little flat, so we manage alright.
The other day, my mother-in-law came out with, And what exactly had you achieved by the age of 25? You shouldve focused on your career, like my daughter has.
My sister-in-law never felt the urge to settle down. Shes always been ambitiousher youth and looks have always come first, and she wasnt about to give those up for motherhood. That was her decision, though. I made mine five years ago. And, to be honest, her careers nothing to write home about anyway. She just seems bitter all the time, spreading gossip because shes envious of everyone else.
Instead of investing her time in family, she travelled everywhere, went on holidays, and pretty much lived the high life. But about a month ago, she turned up at my place all out of breath, asking me for a favour. Her boss was about to go on maternity leave, and the company was looking for someone to fill in. Whoever put together the most impressive project would get the manager role. Shes really not tech-savvy at all, so theres no way she could handle it on her own.
Then my mother-in-law started getting at me too. I had no idea how I was supposed to juggle both the project and the children. But my husbands mum swore shed take care of everything at home just so I could help her daughter. So, I agreed.
The very next day, though, my mother-in-law rang me up: Sorry, I cant take the kidsIm off to the countryside. Ive got chutneys to make, so youll just have to cope without me.
And my sister-in-law never stopped by to help, either. I tried my hardest working through the night, but of course, I was absolutely shattered. I genuinely wanted to help, but nobody thought to pitch in with the kidsnot even once.
Then my sister-in-law kicked off, saying, Why isnt it done yet? You promised!
I just told her, Both you and your mum said youd be around for the kids, but I havent had a single moment to actually focus on the work.
She lost her temper and insisted shed do everything herself. Needless to say, she didnt manage to do anythingher laziness got the better of her, and so she didnt get the new role.
Then my mother-in-law chimed in, furious, Youre awful! You set my daughter up! Youre just jealous of her!
At that point, I didnt even need to explain myself. The most important thing is that my husband understood me completely and said I should avoid his sister from now on. So, Im leaving her to do her own thing. She wanted independencewell, now shes got it.
