I had these big hopes that my mum would retire, move out to the countryside, and hand over her three-bedroom flat to me and my husband!
Let me tell you a little story about my neighbour, Margaret. Shes 68 now and was living alone in her lovely three-bedroom flat. Well, recently, she decided to rent out her flat and has gone off traveling.
Her daughter, Helen, popped round for a chat and ended up venting to me:
What on earth is my mum doing? Im so disappointed in her! Now my mother-in-law is yelling that Ill go mad when Im old, just like my mum. “The apple never falls far from the tree,” she keeps saying. And to top it off, my husband and I have just taken out a car loan! Were two months behind with the payments. We were really counting on Mum to help us out. But she let us downshes rented out her flat and jetted off somewhere!
I stared at Helen, honestly baffled. Why on earth would it be up to her mum to pay off their car loan? Helen carried on:
Now my mother-in-laws furious that were still living in her flat, and my own mums off gallivanting, not even using her place!
Helen was definitely hoping Id feel sorry for her, but honestly, I think Margaret made the right call. Shes got every right to live her life however she likes. Why is it that, just because a woman retires, everyone expects her whole world to revolve around the kids and grandkids? I mean, thats not fair, is it? So I asked Helen:
Why dont you and your husband rely more on yourselves? Your own hard work? Fifteen years marrieddidnt you ever plan to save for your own home? Then your mother-in-law wouldnt have a leg to stand on.
Helen sighed and confessed:
We really thought that when Mum retired, shed move out to the countryside and give us her three-bedroom flat!
I couldnt help but joke with her: Hang on, what if Margaret gets married again? I had a friend who went on holiday to Turkey, met a chap there, married him, and now shes living the dream abroad. Margaret might end up doing just the same!
Helen looked at me like Id lost the plot. But Id just seen some photos Margaret put onlineshe looked so happy, said she was loving every moment on her travels. I was genuinely thrilled for her. She did exactly whats right for her. Honestly, age isnt a barrier to happiness, and its never too late to chase new adventures and joys in life.
