
The couple has been together for ten years.Camila responded with a loving message: “Hello!” I’ve always admired your platform’s free conversation environment. I’ve participated in a variety of chats, offering advise and sharing my thoughts. Now I need your audience’s feedback on my son.”
She opened her narrative with, “My son Michael has always been determined.” From a young age, he demonstrated ambition and drive in all areas, including academics and sports. I admired and promoted this characteristic. However, as he grew older, his determination became harsher, which frightened me.
Michael and Lisa married in college. She was both ambitious and intellectual, and they immediately became friends because of their common interests and personalities. They both had great jobs and a good relationship after graduation.”
Her son’s behavior shifted dramatically following the birth of the infant.
Camila continues her story: “But everything changed six months ago, when their child was born. Lisa chose not to return to work following her maternity leave because the birth was unpleasant. She wished to heal and spend more time with the baby.
“Michael began to criticize Lisa for minor infractions such as not keeping the house clean enough or failing to prepare dinner on time. He’d come home to find her napping or watching TV, which irritated him. He didn’t notice the sleepless nights, the constant attention the infant required, or the never-ending chores she completed during the day. He only noticed what he viewed as sloth.
My son stopped helping with household chores, arguing that if Lisa wasn’t working, she had enough time to handle everything on her own, and he was too tired from work to do anything else around the house. When the animosity between them reached its peak, they decided to divorce.”
“After we separated, Michael moved in with me. I was terribly heartbroken as I saw everything happen. I always attempted to teach Michael about respect and empathy, but he seemed to have forgotten them. That’s when I realized it was time for a lesson he’d never forget.”Camila devised a plan: “I decided to surprise my daughter-in-law with a gift and sent her on a short vacation for a week, promising to take care of my granddaughter while she was away.
During dinner, I told my son that Lisa was going away for a week and handed him a piece of paper with a list of tasks. It was a schedule of everything Lisa used to do in a single day: wake up at 6 AM, prepare breakfast, get the baby ready, clean the house, grocery shopping, laundry, cooking, and countless other tasks. Michael looked at the list, his expression slowly changing from confusion to realization.
“I want you to take care of the baby and manage the house for one week, just like Lisa did,’ I said calmly. ’No help from the nanny or the housekeeper. I’ll take care of my grandchild if it becomes too much, but you need to understand what she did every day.’”
In just a few days, the house turned into a disaster.Camila continued her story, “Reluctantly, Michael agreed. The first day was a disaster. He overslept, struggled to get the baby ready, burned breakfast, and by noon, the house was a mess. By the third day, he was exhausted. He couldn’t keep up with the baby, the endless laundry, and the constant demands of the household.”
“At the end of the week, Michael was a changed man. He sat down with me, tears in his eyes. ’Mom, I had no idea,’ he admitted. ’I thought she was being lazy, but she was working harder than I ever realized. I took her for granted, and now I’ve lost her.’ I hugged my son, feeling a mixture of pride and sadness. ’It’s not too late to make things right, Michael. You need to apologize and show her you understand. Show her that you’ve changed.’”
This story has a happy ending.Ending her letter, Camila pens, “Michael embraced my advice wholeheartedly. He approached Lisa with heartfelt apologies and recognized his errors. While it wasn’t effortless and required patience, Lisa eventually noticed the genuineness in his attempts. They opted to mend their bond for the sake of their daughter.”
“Michael’s experience left a lasting impact. I trust it’s a lesson he’ll carry with him. How would you handle this scenario? Perhaps some in your community have encountered similar challenges and can offer valuable advice on salvaging relationships?”