I Refuse to Keep Supporting My Daughter and Her 5 Kids for Free
As parents, we want to make sure that our kids have everything they could possibly want and need. But that becomes harder when they have families of their own. In those cases, when a child reaches out, it tugs on our emotions, but we can’t always help. One of our readers shared her experience.
This is June’s story.
My daughter is 25 and already has 5 kids from 4 different men. I understand that it is partially my fault, I should’ve been a better mother to her and taught her more about life. But believe me, I’m paying the price for it now.
Last year, after the twins were born, she lost her job and shortly after that, their dad took off. My daughter came to me and asked if I could help her out. I agreed and let them move in with me. A few months ago, my daughter started dating again, and the boyfriend moved in as well.
So I’ve had 7 extra people under my roof for the last few months, and we cover all their expenses. From their food, to their bills and the school expenses for the two older kids. It hasn’t been easy. We have both had to make arrangements to get more money in while they do nothing to contribute.
Well, last week my daughter turned 26, and at her Birthday party she gathered us all in the living room. I was nervous because I knew it couldn’t be good news. Then she said she had a “surprise” for us. Everyone waited anxiously, and then she said the two words I never wanted to hear again.
My heart dropped the second the words “I’m pregnant!” left her mouth. This was the worst possible time for her to get pregnant again. The twins were barely a year old and she and only known this guy for a few months. How could she be sure he wouldn’t be like all the rest?
I was furious when I pulled her aside to ask her what she was thinking, but she just shrugged off my concern. So I told her that if she planned on bringing another child into my house, she had better start helping out.
I was not going to keep working myself to death to cover her costs. She needed to start paying her own expenses and helping with the housework. If she didn’t want to, she was welcome to leave. She was devastated and accused me of robbing my grandchildren of a future.
So Bright Side, is she right? Should I stand by what I said, or should I be more considerate of the position she was putting my grandchildren in?
