I’m Homeless: My Ex’s New Man Is Living in My Place

When I was born, my father left us. My mum brought me up on her own. Looking back now, I realise she was never much of a parent. For as long as I can remember, she was either drunk, missing for days at a time, or filling the house with her so-called friends.

Until I was about ten, I honestly thought most children grew up the same way.

Once I reached secondary school, I started working any job I could find. I just wanted something to eat, and in our village, there were odd jobs going here and there. Id get a few pounds or a bite to eat for my efforts.

After finishing school, I tried to find a proper job. But being a kid from a poor family with no connections or money I had to just get by however I could. Just like my mum always did.

I dont know where she always found the money. The scraps I brought in were spent on food. She must have been used to it, because she never tried to change anything.

Then, around three years ago, a man started visiting my mum more and more.

He didnt have much to his name, but didnt look like your typical drunk, either. He was mostly friendly but rarely seemed to notice I existed. I began to hope he might be a good influence, that perhaps wed move in together and escape this miserable life.

For a while, my hopes actually came true. After a few months of seeing us nearly every day, he moved in. He wasnt hostile, but I always felt as if he tried his best to ignore me. But trouble hit when I least expected it.

After wed lived together as a makeshift family for about half a year, I came home one evening. Id brought back the money Id worked hard for, thinking it might cheer up my mum, whod seemed quite down lately.

But the moment I stepped through the door, she started shouting that I wasnt welcome anymore, that I had to leave. I didnt understand at first. I hadnt done anything to upset her. Still, I knew there was no point arguing with her there and then. I stayed round a mates house that night, thinking shed calm down after a day or two shed been like this before.

But she didnt. The next day, she sent me away again. Turns out, the man whod moved in never liked me, and hed convinced my mum to get rid of me. And she listened to him instead of me.

Thats how I found myself homeless at 21. These days I get by thanks to friends who, thankfully, have taken me in as if I were one of their own. I still scrape a living however I can.

So when I hear people complain that children today dont respect their parents, I always want to say some of us have good reason. Sometimes, respect has to be earned, not expected, even from those who brought us into the world. And sometimes, family isnt just where youre born its who chooses to care for you when you need it most.