The foolish children decided to play at being independent and ended up saddled with debts and without a home.
When our children got married, both sets of parents wanted to help them with a place to live. My wife and I had managed to save up a bit, and so had her parents. We pooled our resources, and together it was enough for a small flat. Our intention was to buy it right away for the newlyweds, but they insisted they were independent and would handle it on their own.
A while later, we discovered that they had indeed bought a flat but not just any flat, a three-bedroom one. And how did they manage that? Theyd taken out a loan from the bank to cover the cost of the property. And who would be repaying it? They told us it was well within their means.
Next, we heard they wanted a car as well. The flat was quite far from their workplaces, and public transport was a hassle. So, they went and bought a brand new car, straight from the dealership, again on credit. We advised them itd make more sense to buy a second-hand car, but they brushed us off. Were independent and know what were doing.
Then, they decided they wanted a baby and preferably, they wanted the child to be born abroad, so they could gain dual citizenship. Once again, they took out a loan so our daughter could have the baby in comfort, under constant medical supervision.
The baby arrived. Then they wanted to redecorate the nursery, so yet again, they took out another loan. When I asked who was going to pay for all these loans, the answer was always, We are were independent.
But then misfortune struck my son-in-law lost his job, and my daughter was on maternity leave. The money dried up. How could they keep up with all the repayments? They begged us to sell our cottage in the countryside. We didnt want to, but we felt we had no choice, just to keep them solvent. Unfortunately, even that wasnt enough.
Eventually, they had to sell the flat, and after a while, the car as well. They moved in with her parents. Now they complain they have nothing of their own. Of course, its because they never listened to us. The loans still arent paid off itll be several years yet. All thats left is sadness and regret.
