It's been five years since I married into this family, but my relationship with my mother-in-law has always been like a thick layer of ice that can't be melted. We misunderstood each other and were deeply estranged, as if we were people from two worlds.
For the sake of family harmony, I try my best to be a good daughter-in-law, and honor my in-laws on time for 3,000 yuan every month. I expected their care and thoughtfulness, however, they turned a blind eye to my efforts. Even when I was pregnant and had a child, and I needed their help the most, they coldly refused. This made me feel extremely cold, and the conflict between me and my in-laws began to escalate, and there were more and more disputes and disputes between us.
The greed of my in-laws is like a bottomless pit, and they are always asking me for more money in the name of pension. At the beginning, I could still accept the monthly pension of 3,000 yuan, after all, as a daughter-in-law, I have the responsibility to take care of their old age. However, their demands snowballed and grew, from 4,000 to 5,000, as if there was no end to it.
I tried to complain to my husband about the feedback, hoping that he would stand by my side and say something for me. However, he was a foolish son, and always persuaded me to back down. He said: "It's not easy for my parents to raise me so big, and now that they are old, we should do more filial piety." "I understand his thoughts, but I also have my own bottom line and principles.
For the sake of family harmony, I have repeatedly endured and tried my best to meet their demands. However, the inner dissatisfaction and bottom line are gradually being exposed. I'm starting to wonder, is it really okay to go on like this? Am I getting what I deserve?
Until one day, I inadvertently learned a shocking secret. It turned out that a large part of the monthly pension money received by the in-laws was subsidized by them to buy a car and a house for the brother-in-law. This news was like a bolt from the blue for me, and I felt that my bottom line was completely trampled on.
So, when my in-laws asked for an increase in pension again, I resolutely refused. I said, "Mom and Dad, I've tried my best, but you're asking too much. And I heard that you gave most of the money to your brother-in-law, is it really fair to do that? As soon as my words fell, my in-laws' faces changed. They began to accuse me of being unfilial and not respecting my elders.
I will fight on the basis of reason and resolutely not back down. The argument was extremely intense, and both of us were merciless in pointing out each other's shortcomings and mistakes. In the end, I slammed the door in anger, full of disappointment and helplessness.
However, it didn't end there. Just when I thought that the dispute with my in-laws was over, my father-in-law was suddenly hospitalized due to illness, and the news was like a bombshell, instantly breaking the peace of the home. My father-in-law's condition is serious and requires immediate surgery and follow-up**, and the estimated medical expenses are as high as 200,000 yuan.
When I heard this number, I felt a wave of trepidation in my heart. 200,000 is undoubtedly a huge amount of money for an ordinary family like ours. However, my mother-in-law rightfully demanded that I bear the full cost. She said: "You are a daughter-in-law, it is your responsibility to take care of your father-in-law, and this money should be paid by you." ”
I refused. It's not that I'm unwilling to take responsibility, but I think that even if I want to share it, it should be shared equally between my family and my brother-in-law's family, and each person should bear 100,000 yuan. Why should our family bear all this fee?
What about use? I explained my thoughts to my mother-in-law, but she didn't listen, said we were eldest brothers and sisters-in-law, and insisted that we should pay in full.
The dispute snowballed, and family members on both sides joined in. The brother-in-law and sister-in-law also joined the quarrel, saying that we, as the eldest brother and sister-in-law, have an obligation to take more responsibility. In their eyes, my refusal was vexatious and a lack of respect for my elders and family harmony.
Faced with all this, I decided not to put up with it anymore. I resolutely defended my rights and interests, announced that I would only bear part of the medical expenses, and stopped the pension expenses of my in-laws. My attitude was firm and decisive, and I knew I couldn't allow myself to be bullied anymore. My in-laws were shocked by my resistance, and they probably never thought I would do it. Relations between the two sides deteriorated further, and family disputes reached a climax.
In such an environment, I felt deeply tired and helpless. I began to wonder the meaning of this marriage and whether I would be able to continue living in such a family. Eventually, I made a difficult decision – divorce.
I told my husband that this home had become unbearable for me, and I could no longer live in such an environment. He was shocked, puzzled, and even tried to redeem himself, but I had already decided that I was going to find a better living environment for myself and my children.
The process of divorce was not easy, and I was under a lot of stress and pain. But I know it's the best choice I have ever made for myself and my children. I believe that only by leaving this home, which is full of strife and contradictions, can we find true happiness.
Now, I've started a new life. Although there is still a long way to go, I know that as long as I have faith and courage, I will be able to find my own happiness.