**Diary Entry 15th November**
Last month was my sons birthday, and I told him Id come round as a guest. I raised three boysanyone whos lived in a house full of men knows exactly what I mean. I cant fathom how a home can have no dinner ready, or things strewn about everywhere. At 52, Ive always believed a woman should make a home comfortable and safe for her husband, somewhere he can return to. But I dont think my daughter-in-law shares that view.
My eldest son married two years ago, and nine months later, they had a daughter. He was 28; his wife, Emily, was just 20. She was still at university, but the eight-year gap didnt seem to bother him.
During her pregnancy, Emily was difficultalways sending my son on errands. First, she craved apples in the morning, then oranges, then flowers. He never argued, just obliged. We thought things would settle after the baby came, but they didnt.
She breastfed for two months, then declared she was exhausted from sleepless nights and needed a break. My son, ever patient, asked me to step in. Of course, I couldnt refuse.
While I looked after the baby, Emily spent her days at spas or cafés, coming home too tired to even cook dinner for my son after work. Soon, I was there full-time. She grew used to sleeping till noon, living entirely on her own terms. Everything fell to me.
After a month, I broke. I told them I had to go home. Emily was furious. I knew she wasnt ready to cope alone, so I visited occasionallybut what I saw troubled me. The house was a mess, the fridge empty. She couldnt even be bothered to cook for her own child. Having raised three sons, her irresponsibility was beyond me. My son always had home-cooked meals growing up.
Last month, for his birthday, I dropped by, assuming Emily wouldve prepared something. Instead, shed ordered pizza and sushi.
I dont understand why my son tolerates this. Maybe because they never lived together before marryinghe didnt see her true colours. Its clearly hard for him, yet he stays silent.
Im tempted to intervene, to make her act like a proper wife and mother. But I fear alienating him. I know I should support his choices. Yet standing by, watching this unfold, is agony. Are all daughters-in-law like this?
What would you advise? Should I speak to Emily, or bite my tongue? Sometimes love means letting gobut when its your child, silence feels like failure.
