I was at my son and daughter-in-law’s house last week. It’s horrible, what a mess! I am 60 years old, but I always tidy up my apartment, even if my back hurts or I am too lazy. And she is young and so untidy, I am very upset that my son lives in such conditions, but she chose it.
She asked me to babysit her grandchildren while she went to a parent-teacher conference, I agreed, there was nothing to do anyway. I saw that her table was a mess, the windowsill was a mess too, and there was dust and dirt all around the house, but I didn’t want to spoil relations with her. I sat there for about twenty minutes and then I couldn’t stand it. I started to put this mess in its place, wiped crumbs, dirty dishes, and I got down to some papers. There I found a bunch of receipts for clubs and sections for children, I decided to calculate how much a month she spends on this item of expenditure. Of course, I should not pry into it, but it was very interesting. And ahem, 27 thousand a month! I was horrified at such expenses.
I, I understand that three children in the family requires investment in their development, they need to be engaged, but to give such money – it’s absurd. Some people earn that much per month. In our days it was different, we also went to classes and made up our own entertainment, and nothing, we grew up smart. Our parents spent pennies on it, and everyone was happy.
And okay my daughter-in-law would work, but she hardly ever comes out of maternity leave, and why should she, when my son pays for everything. I am even sure that if the maternity leave is over she just will not go to work and will be a housewife. Even though she is not doing a very good job in this role. Everything is hanging on my son, he’s a handy man and a housewife, he doesn’t earn a million, but he has a good job.
But what surprises me the most is that the family is living large and doesn’t think about the future. So many times I have said that it is irresponsible, but will anyone listen to me? They live in a rented two-bedroom apartment, the rent is not cheap! I never understood why they need these rooms, they are always in one in the evening, and can sleep in one too. Why pay crazy money for air? My parents and I used to live in a communal apartment, we slept well.
And they’re not even trying to buy their own apartment, they say they can only afford a studio. Yes, a large apartment is not cheap in the city center, you can cut all their expenses, and my daughter-in-law can get a job and then everything will work out. I do not know, maybe they are waiting for an inheritance, but I will live a long time, they will not wait. On her side, her parents are not rich, they do not help with money.
And they also have a car in the family, or as I call it, a vacuum cleaner for money. They took it on credit for 8 years with a good monthly payment, it constantly breaks down, and consumes a lot of gasoline, and also have to buy rubber, insurance and the like. They justify their purchase by the fact that without a car they can’t cope with children. It’s absurd! They’re fed up!
Well, why do they spend so much money on activities? Younger allegedly needs a speech therapy and swimming pool, middle – music and boxing, the older – dance and English. One club is enough, no need these excesses, better let them do the lessons in a good way, or look for something cheaper. I understand if they had extra money, their own apartment and car, and here they are on credit. I think all the waste is the daughter-in-law’s fault, my son is not like that, he knows the value of money.
I know I’m minding my own business, but I couldn’t keep my cool, and I told my son that spending that kind of money on the kids was sloppy. And then it turned out that my son didn’t know that such sums were being spent on children. He was in complete agreement with me, and immediately said that he would figure out the circles on his own, and that he would have complete control over that expense item.
They seem to have agreed to reduce the cost of the children and their circles, to choose one activity per child, but my sister-in-law holds a grudge against me because of this, accusing me of sticking my nose into things, and everything was fine without me. I am offended by such words, I understand everything, I want to give my children the best, but not for that kind of money. You can find cheap and interesting circles, spend 10 thousand for it, no more. Why does she not understand that?
I think that her resentment is not justified against me. What do you think? Who is right in this situation? How much do you spend on your baby? If the doctor prescribes your child a speech therapist, swimming pool and massage, will you send him there right away or will you choose one thing and then another?
