My Daughter-in-Law Is Upset with Me Over the Apartment and Has Started Turning My Son Against Me

You wont believe whats been going on. My son crossed paths with a rather dishonest young woman who manipulates him as she pleases. Lately, shes even been turning him against me, spreading these wild claims that I don’t care about their happiness and that I’m only thinking about myself. Shes somehow drawn these conclusions because I refused to swap flats with them.

My husband passed away a few years ago, and my son is my only child. I raised him with all the love and care I could muster, gave him a proper education. Before he married, he lived with us. He started working whilst at university, and as soon as he finished his degree, he landed a good job.

My son is my pride and joy. Hes a wonderful lad and doing well professionally. My husband and I could never afford to buy our son a flat because we always lived quite simply. We only managed to purchase a place for ourselves at age forty; before that, we rented, so buying a second property for our son was out of the question. But he’s more than capable of earning his own home, just as we did.

When Oliver told me hed started seeing someone, I was chuffed. I did everything I could to have a good relationship with my daughter-in-law. I never scolded or criticised her. It didnt matter to me who his wife waswhat mattered most was his happiness. At first, I really liked Charlotte; she was very polite and unassuming. But honestly, it was only after their wedding that she showed her true colours.

After the wedding, Oliver and Charlotte went off on their honeymoon, and when they got back, she handed in her notice at work. She said her boss was always picking on her and wanted to find something better. But she didnt stop thereshes been lounging around for two years now, and the thought of getting a job doesnt seem to cross her mind.

The two of them started living in her modest one-bedroom flat, which is on the edge of town. With Charlotte at home, Oliver simply cant afford to buy a new place, mostly because Charlotte blows all their money at beauty salons and on clothes.

I can’t wrap my head around ithow can you not find work in two years? I honestly think she’s lying when she says she goes for interviews. Most likely, she enjoys living off her husbands hard work and just having a leisurely life.

One time, I asked if they had any plans for children. Charlotte replied, How can we talk about kids when we live in such a cramped space? So I suggested, Why not try to save up for a mortgage deposit? Charlotte shot back, Theres nothing to save, we barely make it to the end of the month as it is.

I resisted the urge to point out that if she got herself a job, theyd have managed to save something ages ago. If they genuinely made an effort to put away money for their own home, Id gladly help, since I’ve already got some saved. But right now, I don’t want to give them anything, knowing full well Charlotte would just squander it all.

Recently, Charlottes been talking about having a child again, moaning about time slipping away and the need to plan for an heir. But is it really wise to raise a kid in such conditions? Now Oliver is starting to echo her.

Mum, you know, Charlotte and I were thinkingwhy not swap flats with us? Nothing formal, just a simple exchange. Youd have enough space for yourself, and we wouldnt have to bother with a mortgage.

What Oliver said really hurt me. This was definitely not his idea alone. I told him Id be far from home for work, and you know how they sayold trees dont take well to transplantation.

Youve got just a few years left at work, and then well give you grandchildren, Charlotte said with a smug smile.

I turned down their brilliant offer because I cant bear the thought of leaving my home. Since then, Oliver has brought it up a few times, and each time he did, it stung a bit more. Hes never tried to profit off others before and now his wife is pushing him in that direction.

Lets go home! I told you your mother doesnt care whether we have kids or not. She wouldnt lift a finger for us, Charlotte said to Oliver during their last visit.

Since then, hes stopped contacting medoesnt pick up the phone and wont call back. I just cant understand why hes acting like this. Hes a sensible lad, but whenever Charlottes around, he seems to lose all common sense.