My husband came home from work yesterday acting rather oddly.
I asked him about the upcoming wedding, and he immediately looked down at his shoes. He told me hed be going to the wedding by himself
But what about me? I was gobsmacked.
Then my husband announced, Love, I barely scraped by with Januarys pay. So I reckon Ill have to head to the wedding on my own. You stay and look after little Olivia. Nothing terrible will happen. Ill just be gone for three days, need to stay at the hotel and eat something. Oh, and I have to buy a wedding present for the happy couple, obviously.
We were still a young familyjust cutting our teeth, really. We lived in a tiny one-bedroom flat. My mother-in-law had kindly given it to us. I was on maternity leave, as our daughter was nearly two. Work wasnt exactly calling my name since I had no one to look after Olivia. The in-laws had generously provided us with a flat, so, as the English like to saycheers for that.
My mum looked after herself, did a bit of extra work here and there. She told me, right out, that if I desperately needed someone to mind Olivia for work, shed come around, no question. But as for buying a new dress or fancying up my hair, forget it. If thats the plan, she wouldnt babysitshe was adamant about it.
I know my mums ways very well. Incidentally, she jets off abroad every year and spends all her weekends in beauty salons and massage parlours. Absolute treat-yourself queen.
No major dramas in our household, really. When my husbands at home, I can squeeze in a bit of me time. Granted, he isnt exactly thrilled about it and lets me pop out only rarely and certainly not for long.
Then came the wedding invitation.
My husbands younger brother decided to tie the knot. Wed have to trek to another city for three days. So, I went begging to mum, asking her to stay with her granddaughter. Weddings are a big deal, after all! Just three days. Olivia is quite the placid child, doesnt scream or cause a scene.
Mum put her foot down for ages but eventually sighed and took three days off work. I was thrilled. Two years stuck at home with a toddler and finally, a chance to relax at a wedding
But my cherished dreams were dashed as soon as my husband made his grand announcement.
It was supposed to be a milestone for me. Id been housebound, breastfeeding for a year, then discovered not a soul wanted to sit with Olivia. Meanwhile, my husband was off gallivanting at work events and business trips.
Of course, I barely knew his brother. Id only seen the fiancée once, and that was in a photo.
Devastated hardly covers it. But my husband refused to see my point of view. To him, everything was just tickety-boo.
Well, darling, firstly your mothers hardly thrilled about taking in Olivia. Let her have a bit of a break these days. You stay at home. Why make her uncomfortable? If she doesnt fancy babysitting, then dont force it. Besides, you hardly know my family. Whats the purpose of this trip for you anyway? Your job is to stay at home and look after the child. Ill go and Ill be back.
So, I settled on the idea that no one was going anywhere. Why should my husband decide what I ought to do?
So, who do you reckon is right here?
Personally, I think mum and husband are both a bit cheeky. Fair enough, grandma isnt obliged to babysit. But she could think of her daughter occasionally and not just herself.
And the husbandwell, he doesnt quite get his wife. Shes devoted so much time to their daughter. She deserves a breather.
If he really loves her, he should realise that.
The poor girl in this tale is really down in the dumps. Shes entirely dependent on her husband. No one to lend a hand.
Id be curious to know what the readers think. Hopefully, Olivias mum manages to sort it all out and finally shares her thoughts with her husband.
Ladies, rememberwe live in a free country! Say whats on your mind; nothing dreadful will happen. Its not like the husband will file for divorce if the wife puts her foot down. And if he does, that means the feelings were never genuine. Lets respect each other and spread a bit of joy!
