Hey love, Ive been at my wits end and need to vent. My son, Mike, always jumps to his wifes side even when shes clearly off the mark.
Im June Whitaker, sixty now, and Im crying my eyes out just thinking about it. My boy Mike never once questions his wife, Chloe. No matter what happens or what I say, he just waves his hand and says, Mum, dont worry, Chloe will sort it out. Shes not daft. He always finds an excuse for her, even when shes obviously wrong.
Chloes only twentyeight. She and Mike are raising their oneyearold son, Harry, in a little flat they bought on a mortgage. Shes on maternity leave, so Mike is the only earner. They live modestly, careful with every pound, but they never seem to be short of anything.
I cant stand Chloe, to be honest.
When Mike first brought her home, I was stunned. She had these long fake nails, a tattoo on her neck, a short skirt and skyhigh heels that looked like runway gear. And those glossy lips you could tell theyd been done. I thought he was joking. I mean, could my son really be dating someone so carefree?
A month later they were married. Even at the ceremony Chloe turned heads leather skirt, glittery top, stagemakeup. Mike was beaming, and I decided to keep my mouth shut and just watch.
At first I barely talked to my daughterinlaw, only ringing Mike a couple of times a month to ask how things were going. Everything changed about a year and a half ago when Harry arrived.
I dropped by their place on the second day after they were discharged from hospital. What do I see? Fresh manicured nails. I said, Chloe, are you out of your mind? Thats a safety hazard for a newborn! She brushed it off, Its all under control, Ive got this. I went to Mike and he snapped, Mum, stay out of it. Its none of your business. And thats the pattern now every time I speak, I get a Mind your own business reply.
I tried to give Chloe advice, gentle nudges, little criticisms. She just ignored me. Shes not the type to make excuses for herself.
Id pop over and find the flat a mess. Id say, Chloe, could you make a bit of soup for Harry? Hes hungry after a days work. Shed reply, Mike doesnt eat soup. Im thinking, He does! He just isnt in the mood because shes too lazy to cook a proper meal.
I tried to talk to Mike about it, but he always put Chloe on a pedestal.
Mum, stop nitpicking. Everythings fine. Chloes a great mum.
Great? I shouted. She never puts the phone down! Shes glued to Instagram all the time, even when the babys right there.
The final straw happened at the playground.
I knocked, heard nothing, thought maybe they were out. I went to the little park and saw Harry digging in the sand while Chloe sat on a bench, eyes glued to her screen. I got closer and saw Mike standing by the gate. Suddenly the boy ran to me, smiling, shouting for his grandma. Chloe didnt even turn around. He darted toward the road! Its a quiet street, but cars could appear any second.
Thank goodness there was no traffic. I scooped Harry up, ran to Chloe, and told her, If you dont put that phone away right now Ill smash it on the pavement! Are you a mother or what? She snapped up, grabbed Harry and bolted. The little one wailed, reached for me, but she slammed the door in my face and didnt open it again.
I called Mike, told him everything. He said, Mum, youve gone too far. Calm down. Chloe can handle it. How can he say that? I saw it all with my own eyes! He just wont believe me. Now they both ignore my calls, wont open the door. Its been a month. I have no idea what she whispered to him, but I just want my grandson safe.
Sometimes I wonder, maybe Mikes right. Maybe I should have kept quiet. But I cant stay silent when a childs welfare is at stake. Im a mother, a grandma.
Now Im just a lonely woman with a switchedoff phone, and the son I raised has taken his wifes side always.
