My name is Li Ming, I am 32 years old, and I am a white-collar worker in a foreign company. My mother-in-law's name is Li Hong, 58 years old this year, and she is an ordinary housewife.
My wife and I have been married for 5 years and have a 3-year-old son named Xiaobao. The wife gave birth to a daughter this time, named Xiaohua. My daughter has just been born for a month, and my mother-in-law has been helping to take care of her confinement at home.
However, I was very dissatisfied with the way my mother-in-law took care of me. She always served her daughter meticulously, but she didn't care about me and my son at all. For example, every time she feeds, she will coax Xiaohua softly, and even the bottle is warmed with hot water, for fear of burning the baby's mouth. After feeding, she will also pat the baby's back to help her digest or expel gas. But she didn't care about my son's three meals, and left it to me to solve it myself.
Not only that, but she also muttered to my wife a lot, and I heard her complain several times that we were not filial. For example, a few days ago, when I came home from work, I walked into the bedroom and heard my mother-in-law say to my wife: "Hey, girl, I am really tired of serving your confinement, and you don't know how to thank your mother!".If it weren't for Xiaohua's sake, I wouldn't be too lazy to worry about it!”
I was angry, but I also felt extremely sad. Our family has obviously been reunited like this, why is she still so careful, and she doesn't want to create a gap between our mother and son all the time?
That day, I came home from work as usual. As soon as I entered the door, I saw my mother-in-law holding Xiaohua and feeding milk powder, coaxing her softly, and constantly making her laugh. There was freshly heated food on the table, and the rice was still steaming. My wife sat next to me and chatted with my mother-in-law.
My son, Xiaobao, was sitting on the floor playing with blocks, his stomach growling, but there was no rice or dishes in front of him.
Anger immediately rose in my heart. I rushed into the house, snatched Xiaohua from my mother-in-law's arms, and said loudly, "You will only serve your granddaughter, but you will not take me and my son seriously at all!"”
The mother-in-law retorted in surprise: "Aren't I breastfeeding, Xiaohua is still so young and needs someone to take care of it!."”
I didn't back down, and pointed to the food on the table: "You have made so many things, why do you only let your daughter eat, and your son is hungry from you!."”
The mother-in-law's face became ugly. She stood up, pointed to my nose and said, "You unfilial son, I have worked hard to serve your mother and son, and you lose your temper with me if you don't appreciate it!".”
I was even angrier, sneered and said, "Wait?".You're just serving your daughter!Me and my son, you don't take us seriously!While we were arguing, my son, Xiaobao, pulled at my trouser leg and cried out that he was hungry. I immediately picked him up and went to the kitchen to serve him food.
At this time, my wife also came in and persuaded me: "Mom, we are also for the good of the children." You've worked hard this time, and we're all grateful to you. ”
The mother-in-law snorted and said angrily, "Gratitude?."I don't think you think I'm an elder at all!I'm half tired here, but you're embarrassed to say thank you?”
I couldn't help but retort, "What do we have to do with you as an elder?".We have the best room for you, and the food and clothing are decent. It's just that you don't have enough in your own heart, and you want to find our fault!”
My mother-in-law was furious when she heard this, pointed at my nose and scolded: "You unfilial son, you dare to talk back to me!".If it weren't for your wife and two children, I would have packed up my things and left!”
I also came to the fire and said loudly: "Okay, you can go whenever you want!".Our family can live well without you!”
You!My mother-in-law was so angry that she couldn't speak, and she raised her hand to hit me.
My wife hurriedly stood in the middle of us, hugged my mother-in-law and defended, "Mom, he didn't mean to, don't you be angry, okay?"”
The mother-in-law shook off her daughter's hand, sneered, turned around and left.
My wife anxiously grabbed her mother and begged her with tears in her eyes: "Mom, don't go, the child is still young and needs to be taken care of." Our husband and wife also need your advice, so don't be like him, okay?”
The mother-in-law stopped, rolled her eyes, and snorted angrily.
I don't feel good. I became the bad guy in the family, but the two mothers and daughters were in their own right. I huffed into the bedroom and lay on the bed with my son playing with his building block toys.
I suddenly came to my senses, turned on the bedside lamp, and saw him crying profusely and his little face flushed. I quickly carried him to the bathroom, only to find that he had pulled his pants and was wet. I was so distressed that I quickly cleaned him up and found new pajamas and sheets for him to change into.
Xiaobao cried and refused to sleep, took my hand and asked, "Dad, doesn't grandma want us?"Does she not like me?I had mixed feelings in my heart, hugged my son in my arms and comforted softly: "No, baby, grandma is just old and not very good-tempered." She still loves you the most. ”
Xiaobao hiccuped and asked, "Will Grandma leave us behind?"You won't come to see me in the future?I choked up and couldn't speak, so I could only stroke his hair and back over and over again until he grew tired of crying and fell into a deep sleep. I looked at the ceiling with red eyes, and my heart was like a knife.
My mother-in-law looked at me in surprise and asked angrily, "What are you doing in my room?"”
I took a deep breath and said as calmly as I could, "Mom, shall we talk alone?"I apologize to you for what happened yesterday. I shouldn't be so rude. ”
My mother-in-law snorted coldly and turned her head away from me.
I stubbornly continued, "I also understand that you have worked so hard for our family. It's just that there are some areas where we still need to run in. Can you understand some of my thoughts and that my son and I are thinking?”
My mother-in-law then turned her head and looked me up and down. After a long while, she spoke: "If you want me to be considerate of you, you also have to be considerate of your mother, don't you?"What do you want me to do?”
I was relieved and quickly said, "I hope you can treat our family as equals." Don't just take care of your daughter and granddaughter, but neglect me and my son. It's really hurting us too much. Can you correct that?”
The mother-in-law pondered for a moment and nodded: "It's okay, my temper is indeed bad." I've been observing myself for the past few days and trying to be fair. ”
I happily said, "That's great!".That's enough. As long as you make us feel the warmth of our family, I promise never to lose my temper with you again. ”
My mother-in-law nodded generously and beckoned me to sit down and have breakfast with her.
I secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Perhaps there is still an opportunity for us to overcome the estrangement between mother and son and regain the warmth of the family. I want to seize this opportunity to get along with her and let my son feel the love of his grandmother. Since then, my mother-in-law's attitude has really changed a lot. She no longer only serves my daughter, but begins to care about my life and my son's daily life.
Every morning, she would make a hot breakfast for me and my son, and then wake us up herself. Before I go to work, she will carefully tell me to pay attention to safety and tell me to come back early for dinner.
When she comes home from work in the evening, she is always greeted with a smile, and the table is already full of my favorite home-cooked dishes for my son and me. We sat happily at both ends of the dining table as a family, chatting with each other, and gradually regained that warm and peaceful feeling.