“We Dropped the Kids Off at My Mom’s for a Few Days”: But That Evening, Our Younger Son Called Begging to Come Home Early

Two years ago, my husband Peter and I made a decision that seemed right at the time but has since proven to be a significant mistake. Peter had just received a promotion at work, and I, Alice, felt it was the perfect opportunity to finally buy our own home. We had been renting for years, even before our two children, Brian and Ellie, were born. Brian had just turned 15, and Ellie was 12. The idea of owning a home seemed like the next logical step in our journey as a family.

We found a charming house in a quiet neighborhood. It was everything we had dreamed of: a spacious backyard for the kids to play in, a cozy living room with a fireplace, and enough bedrooms for everyone to have their own space. The mortgage was a bit steep, but we convinced ourselves that Peter’s new salary would cover it comfortably.

For the first few months, everything seemed perfect. The kids loved their new rooms, and we enjoyed hosting family gatherings in our new home. However, as time went on, the financial strain began to take its toll. Peter’s promotion came with increased responsibilities and longer hours, leaving him exhausted and stressed. My part-time job as a freelance writer wasn’t bringing in enough to make a significant difference.

One weekend, we decided to drop Brian and Ellie off at my mom’s house for a few days. We thought it would give us some much-needed time to catch up on work and maybe even relax a little. My mom was thrilled to have the kids over, and they were excited about spending time with their grandmother.

That evening, as Peter and I were trying to unwind with a movie, my phone rang. It was Brian. His voice was shaky, and I could tell he was upset.

“Mom, can you come get us? Please?” he pleaded.

“Brian, what’s wrong? Is everything okay?” I asked, my heart sinking.

“It’s Ellie. She’s really upset. She misses you guys and wants to come home,” he explained.

I could hear Ellie crying in the background. My heart broke for her. She had always been sensitive and struggled with changes more than Brian did.

“We’ll be there as soon as we can,” I assured him.

Peter and I quickly got into the car and drove to my mom’s house. The entire drive was filled with silence and worry. When we arrived, Ellie ran into my arms, tears streaming down her face.

“I want to go home,” she sobbed.

We gathered their things and headed back to our house. The atmosphere was heavy with tension and guilt. We had thought we were doing the right thing by giving ourselves a break, but it had only caused more distress for our children.

As the months went by, the financial strain continued to worsen. We found ourselves cutting back on expenses and making sacrifices just to keep up with the mortgage payments. The stress took a toll on our relationship as well. Peter and I argued more frequently, and the once warm and loving atmosphere of our home grew cold and distant.

Brian and Ellie sensed the tension too. They became more withdrawn and struggled with their schoolwork. The house that was supposed to be our dream home had turned into a source of constant stress and unhappiness.

Looking back, I realize that our impulsive decision to buy the house was driven by a desire for stability and security for our family. But in reality, it had only brought us more challenges and heartache. We are now faced with the difficult decision of whether to sell the house and go back to renting or continue struggling to make ends meet.

The lesson we’ve learned is that sometimes what seems like the right decision in the moment can have long-lasting consequences. And while we can’t change the past, we can try to make better choices for our family’s future.