“It’s Your Fault We’re Struggling Financially. No One Forced You to Marry and Have Kids”: My Mother’s Harsh Words

Growing up, I always imagined a life filled with love, a cozy home, and a family of my own. When I met Kyle during college, everything seemed to fall into place. We married young, full of hope and dreams. By the time I was 25, we had our two beautiful children, Valentina and Mark. However, the reality of our financial situation soon began to overshadow our happiness.

Living in a modest two-bedroom apartment on the outskirts of a bustling city, Kyle and I struggled to make ends meet. He worked as a mechanic, and I took up part-time jobs whenever I could, balancing work and caring for our kids. The cost of living was high, and despite our best efforts, the dream of owning a home seemed more like a distant fantasy.

One day, feeling overwhelmed by mounting bills and the constant worry of how we would afford daycare, I reached out to my mother, Serenity, and my grandmother, Delilah. Both had stable financial situations, having benefited from wise investments and savings. I hoped they might offer some financial support, or at least guide us on how to manage our situation better.

The conversation did not go as planned. I still remember the coldness in my mother’s voice as she said, “It’s your fault you’re in this situation, Valentina. No one forced you to marry young or have children. You made your choices, and now you must live with them.”

Her words stung like a slap. I had hoped for empathy, perhaps even a bit of sympathy. Instead, her blunt refusal to help was a clear message that we were on our own. My grandmother, usually softer, sided with my mother, suggesting that “tough love” was the best way for Kyle and me to learn and grow.

Feeling rejected and helpless, Kyle and I continued to scrape by. We cut corners wherever possible, but the financial strain began to take a toll on our marriage. Arguments became more frequent, often revolving around money and our lack of it.

Months turned into years, and our situation barely improved. The stress affected our health and our relationship with each other. We loved our children deeply, but the joy of parenting was often overshadowed by the constant anxiety over finances.

One particularly harsh winter, our car broke down, and with no money for repairs, Kyle lost his job. The loss of income was devastating. We fell behind on rent, and eviction became a real threat. Desperate, I reached out to my mother and grandmother again, hoping their hearts had softened.

Their response was the same. “You need to figure this out on your own,” my mother insisted. The call ended with a finality that left me in tears.

Kyle and I are still together, fighting every day to keep our family afloat. The dream of owning a home is long gone, replaced by the simpler hope of making it through each month. My mother and grandmother remain distant, a painful reminder of the support we so desperately needed but never received.