Some time ago, I paid a visit to my daughter-in-law, and to my great surprise, I found a woman in the house responsible for the cleaning and tidying.
Id always told my son that the financial background of his future bride was of no importance to us, and thus, he followed his heart and married Alice, a girl who never had much money and, truth be told, had always been quite pampered in life.
After their wedding, the young couple moved into the house wed purchased for them. My husband and I had put so much effort into renovating that home, and we still do our best to support them, bringing groceries and helping out as much as we can. Alice is doing fine, especially after she gave birth to our grandchild, though she currently isnt working. My son, meanwhile, doesnt hold a particularly esteemed job and his wages are, frankly, rather modest.
You might imagine my shock, then, when I stepped into the home where my children and my grandchild live, only to discover an unknown lady polishing the furniture. It turned out that my daughter-in-law had hired a housekeeper, yet did nothing herself. How could she afford such a luxury? Did she have no scruples or sense of propriety?
I promptly sent the woman away, for at the end of the day, it is still our house! Besides, she was cleaning with our money. Where else could my son and his wife find the funds for such help? I decided to wait for Alice, as she was out with my grandson, and upon her return I wasted no time in broaching the subject. I began the conversation, only for Alice to reply:
Mum, Ive started blogging during my maternity leave, so Im actually earning a good income now. I truly need the housekeeper because keeping up with my work leaves me with no time!
Blogging? Since when was that a real job, let alone a profession that pays a respectable wage? I confessed I was unsettled by the thought of strangers cleaning my house.
If youve got that much money, why not just pay me? Ill do the cleaning, and we wont have strangers traipsing about, I declared.
Alice simply muttered something under her breath and went off to feed my grandson. I lingered until my son arrived, keen to share the latest domestic developments, and he said:
Mum, Im well aware of the cleaning lady. Alice really works hard, and Id rather spend my free time with my son when I get home. Honestly, I see no harm in it.
I confess I struggle to comprehend these modern wayshow on earth do they afford such things? I rushed back home to consult my husband, but do you know what he said?
You mustnt interfere in the lives of young people. Theyre adults and well capable of managing things for themselves!
I havent felt such a rage rise in me for years. Still, Im convinced that my concerns and actions are justified! What do you make of all this?
