When things are hard, it’s normal for a daughter to want to help her mother because she knows her mother would do the same for her. This is exactly what Nessa is going through. She wants to let her mother, who is sad, live with her family. But her husband has made a condition that can’t be met for this arrangement to work.

Here is Nessa’s letter, in which she talks about her problem.

“Mom is very sad and lonely because her dad died not long ago.” I told her she could live with us and be with her grandchildren to feel better. For a while, my husband said no, but then he agreed as long as she paid our rent. I was mad because we own the house and don’t have to pay rent.

“Your mother is a leech,” he said with a smirk. She won’t leave once she moves in with us. He also said, “It doesn’t make sense for her to get everything for free. She will eat our food and use our electricity.” This house is not a hotel, she needs to know that!

I was very angry. Together with him, I helped buy this house, so we both have equal rights to it. It doesn’t make sense for me to just ask my mom to pay us money.

Still, I have to say that my husband isn’t a bad person. He and his mom never got along. He told me the other night, “Your mom has hated me ever since I met her.” I don’t think she should live with me right now.

I can’t decide between my husband and my mom, who needs my help right now as her only daughter. What should I do?

Yours,
Nessa