His Mother-In-Law Abandoned Them for 25 Years, But Their’ World Is Turned Upside Down When She Resurfaces.
In this gripping story, a single father (OP) raises his son alone after the mother’s abrupt departure, only to face an unexpected reunion with the long-absent grandmother. Will this encounter shed light on the past or open up new wounds?
A Mother’s Departure
The Original Poster (OP) becomes a single father when his son’s mother leaves just days after their baby is born, claiming she isn’t ready for motherhood. OP suspects his mother-in-law (MIL) influenced her decision. The mother’s last words were, “She wants to see neither me nor our son ever again.”
Rising to the Challenge
At 21, the OP drops out of college and works tirelessly to support his son. Friends and family help during the early years, and OP remains hopeful that the mother will return. Despite his hopes and wishes, she never reaches out.
The Unanswered Question
As the OP’s son grows up, he questions why his mother left. OP struggles to find an answer and avoids speaking ill of the mother in front of the child.
A Father’s Pride
Now 25, the son is a hardworking, educated young man, and OP is proud of their accomplishments. They stop discussing the absent mother, deciding it is her loss.
The Unexpected Visitor
The OP’s MIL appears unannounced after 25 years, acting like a loving grandmother. Both OP and his son are shocked by her sudden arrival.
A Stranger’s Embrace
The son initially doesn’t recognize MIL but pushes her away when he realizes who she is. MIL questions OP about their upbringing, asking, “What have you taught him if he doesn’t even say hello to his grandmother?”
The Confrontation
The son accuses MIL of being absent when he needed her, asking her why she wasn’t there for him. She struggles to respond to his questions.
The Other Life
MIL reveals that the son’s mother has remarried and has two other children. She speaks as if the mother is the victim, referring to the son’s birth as a “misunderstanding.”
Justifying Abandonment
MIL defends her daughter’s actions, saying she was too young to have a child and didn’t want to lose her freedom. OP is angered, noting he was younger than the mother when their son was born.
The Final Question
The son asks why MIL didn’t want to be his grandmother, to which she replies, “I had no time to take care of you. I was a young woman too; I had my life too.”
A Selfish Return
MIL admits she has returned because she believes grandchildren are obligated to take care of their grandparents when they’re old. The son, disgusted, tells her to leave and never come back.
Parting Words
As MIL leaves, she attacks the OP, saying, “A man alone cannot raise a proper human being!” She claims the son would have been better off in an orphanage.
The Bitter Lesson
According to MIL, young parents should feel free to abandon their children and return decades later, expecting love and care.
The Unwavering Bond
Despite MIL’s harsh words, OP and his son’s bond remains strong. Together, they navigate the aftermath of her visit.
A Father’s Reflection
OP wonders what MIL expected from her visit and remains proud of the man he raised his son to be, despite the challenges they faced.
Was The Man’s Behavior Appropriate?
The readers in the forum had a lot of mixed views on the matter. Here are some of their responses…
Forum Responded
One responder wrote: “You probably already have, but just in case, it would be good to talk to [your son] about this. Just an open talk where he can explain how he feels and where you can help him if he has any trouble coping with it.”
Another reader writes, “That whole side of the family is horrible.”
A different person states: “You sound like you are doing an amazing job. If your son ever got you a #1 dad pen or whatever at one of those book fairs, then just know, you actually earned that.”
What Do You Think?
What are your thoughts on their actions?
What would you have done in this situation?
This story is inspired by this thread.
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Alexander Veros
Alex is a writer for Top Dollar Investor, focusing on lifestyle, travel, and business stories. Alex has started several online businesses and is a blogger who loves providing quality content to help others. He is passionate about affiliate marketing, finance, and cryptocurrency.
