I was brought up by my grandmother, but now my parents have decided that I ought to pay them maintenance.
My family and I have lived in different towns for as long as I can remember. We havent seen each other for over two decades. My parents work as performers and sing in a choir; their whole life has been a constant journey. When I turned five, I went to live with my grandmother. She wanted to have a quieter life with a young child, so we moved closer to some of her relatives.
At first, my mother and father would visit us a couple of times a year, sometimes three, but as time passed, their visits became fewer and farther between. Eventually, I stopped giving them much thought at all. One day, the contact was gone completely. By the time I was studying dentistry at university, I got married in my third year.
Now, my wife and I run our own dental clinic and do quite well for ourselves. About a year ago, out of nowhere, my parents suddenly reappeared. They began ringing the clinic since they didnt even have my mobile number. All our conversations were really just them complaining about how tough life was for them.
I listened to all their grievances and reminded them that they had chosen their own path when they handed me over to Gran to be brought up. From time to time, theyd send my grandmother a little moneyjust a few pounds here and therebut for the most part, she and I lived off her pension. She told me that many times, and I understood; we both had to be frugal with every penny.
At school, I pushed myself so that Id have enough to live on, and worked nights at the hospital just to afford clothes and food. I think Ive earned my own life, and my parents have theirseach of us should follow our own journey.
Once my parents realised I wasn’t going to support them, they began telling me theyd be seeking a maintenance order against me. Their words finally pushed me away completely. Before, I sometimes questioned whether I was right, and even considered helping them out financially. But now, I dont want anything to do with them. Do you think Im right, or should I help my parents after all?
