**Diary Entry**
Before the divorce, I took care of my child alone, but later, I found a nannymy ex-husbands mother. At first, I asked if she knew anyone who could help, but she offered herself, naturally, for a fee. My salary isnt generous, so I must be careful with money.
At work, I have a colleague, Emily, who struggles. She doesnt take care of herselfnever visits a beautician. I often wonder where her wages go. She works, lives with her parents, has no mortgage like others, and her ex-mother-in-law minds her child. She even gets maintenance payments.
Turns out, Emily pays her parents for a room *and* her former mother-in-law for childcare. How does anyone manage like this?
Six months ago, when Emily started at our office, we became friends quickly. We have a lot in commonsimilar interests, children the same age. She told me straight away shed divorced her husband and moved back in with her parents. Theyre successful, both in their fifties, holding good positions. They own a house in the countryside and holiday abroad every year. After Emily returned, they gave her a room to live in.
I assumed she stayed rent-free, but nothey charged her from the start. Emilys grateful to live with family rather than strangers, though. Its better for her son, too.
She has her own shelf in the fridge, never uses her parents things, and only occasionally gives her child some fruit from theirs.
I dont understand how parents can treat their own child like this. Especially since Emily left her husband with nothingshe owed her parents for months afterward.
Before the divorce, she cared for her son herself, but later needed help. She asked her ex-mother-in-law if she knew anyone, but the woman offered herselffor pay. Emily agreed, relieved her son would be with someone who knew him wellhis likes, dislikes, what he should and shouldnt do. Shes reliable. When needed, she steps in.
It should be fine, but Emily barely scrapes by. Theres no room for luxuryjust survival.
I cant fathom how parents could be so harsh to their own child.
