My husband returned from work yesterday in what can only be described as a rather peculiar mood.
I asked him about the upcoming wedding, and he immediately shifted his gaze downwards. He said hed be attending the wedding alone.
And what about me? I was gobsmacked.
My husband sighed and replied, Love, I got paid peanuts in January. So it looks like Ill fly solo at the wedding. You stay with the little one. Nothing will go wrong. Its only three days, I have to stay in a hotel, eat something, and, of course, buy a gift for the happy couple.
We were a young family living in a one-bedroom flat. My mother-in-law gifted us the place. I was on maternity leave, while our daughter was nearly two. I wasnt in a rush to get back to work; after all, there wasnt anyone to leave our child with. The in-laws had sorted us out with the flat, so, as they say cheers for that!
My mums fiercely independent. She takes on extra shifts at work, and she told me straight up: if theres a proper childcare emergency and I absolutely have to return to work, shed swoop in. But asking her to babysit just so I could nip off to buy a new dress or get my hair coloured? Not a chance. She wouldnt even humour the idea.
I know my mums character all too well. By the way, she jets off on holidays abroad every year and spends her weekends tucked away in beauty salons and getting massages.
Theres never been a full-blown emergency in our family. When my husbands home, I can crack on with my own bits and bobs. Mind you, hes not over the moon about it and only lets me out into town on rare occasions, and only for short spells.
Then the invitation arrived.
My husbands younger brother decided to tie the knot. Wed need to travel to another city for three days. So, off I went to plead with my mum to stay with her granddaughter. Its a wedding after all quite the affair. Just three days. Plus, our daughter is as placid as they come, no tantrums or howling.
My mum protested for ages before letting out a sigh and taking three days off work. I was thrilled! Two years stuck inside with a toddler and, finally, a chance to unwind at the wedding…
But my hopes were dashed as soon as my husband made his announcement.
It was supposed to be a big deal for me. Id spent a whole year nursing our daughter without setting foot out the front door. Then it turned out no one wanted to babysit. Meanwhile, my husband was off at company shindigs and on business trips.
Honestly, I barely knew his brother. Id only seen a photo of his fiancée.
I felt utterly miserable. But my husband wasnt remotely interested in understanding my side. He acted like everything was sorted.
Look, love, your mum isnt exactly thrilled about having our daughter over. Let her have a break and you stay at home. No need to make someone uncomfortable. If she doesnt fancy babysitting, then thats that. Besides, you dont really know my family. Whats the point of you coming? Your jobs to stay home and look after the child. Ill go and be back soon.
So I figured, perhaps no one should go at all. Why does my husband get to decide what I should do?
Now, who do you reckon is in the right here?
Personally, I think both the mum and husband are a bit cheeky. Granted, grandma isnt obligated to babysit her granddaughter. But maybe she might consider her daughters needs, not just her own.
And the husband? Hes not trying very hard to understand his wife. Shes given so much to their daughter, and she definitely deserves a breather.
He ought to think twice if he really loves his wife
The woman in this tale is left feeling pretty glum. Shes completely reliant on her husband, and there isnt anybody else to lend a hand.
Would love to hear what others think! Hopefully, shell find a way to sort things out and stand her ground with her husband.
Ladies, dont forget we live in a free country! You can speak your mind; nothing dreadful will happen. Its not as though your husband will demand divorce just because you set a boundary. And even if he did, perhaps those feelings werent all that genuine to begin with. Lets respect one another and share some joy, shall we?
