My son gets married at the age of 33. These days, thats quite normal here in England, but not too long ago, it would have been seen as rather late. He tied the knot when his girlfriend found out she was pregnant. We were over the moon, as it was our first grandchilda little girl. We were all so happy.
My daughter-in-law isnt a bad person at all; in fact, shes a wonderful hostess. Their home is always spotless, shes young, pleasant, and, surprisingly, she can knit. That genuinely caught me off guardI’ve never been one for sewing or crafts myself. All in all, shes a lovely young woman with a perfectly decent character. My son is content, and honestly, I couldnt wish for anything more.
When my granddaughter turns three, they announce another pregnancy. This time, a boy arrives. They start renovating the old house that belonged to my grandmother. Fine, were happy for them. Not even three years later, my daughter-in-law tells us another baby is on the way. And then, two years after that, shes pregnant again.
Financially, I manage on the money my son gives me. He always finds a wayhe can fix anything, handles all the construction himself, and never shies away from extra work. But hes just a lorry driverwhats he doing having a third child? Hes almost never at home, always busy with various jobs and shifts.
Just before Christmas, my daughter-in-law hands me a list of things the children need. If youre thinking it was filled with toys and sweets, youd be wrong. It was just everyday essentialsmassage oil, socks, tights, the sort of things you cant pick up just anywhere or grab on a whim.
I asked my son where they intended to have their fourth baby, but he just brushed the question aside.
Ive managed to raise a responsible, hardworking son, someone who isnt afraid to try his hand at anything. His wife is nearly 35 and shes never held a job, not even part-time; she has no work history at all. Perhaps by the time she turns 40, therell be a fifth childand honestly, I wouldnt be surprised. But Im not going to live forever, or maybe Ill simply get too old to help out. My daughter-in-laws mother has passed ontheres no one left to help her but me. At least they finally managed to renovate the house. Still, with the four children and everything going on, it hardly feels like a cosy cottage.
I asked my daughter-in-law, What will you do when the benefits run out? Where will you find a job when youre forty with no work experience at all? She just said shell manage somehow. And if, God forbid, something happens to my son? What then? How on earth would I look after all those children?
I do have another son who complains that I barely see his child. I just cant find the time; I spend all my days helping out my elder sons family.
