I gave my mother-in-law 3,000 living expenses a month, but she spoke ill of me behind my back and disgusted me for giving less
Everyone knows that family affection is priceless, but money entanglements in real life often make family affection delicate. Take my relationship with my mother-in-law, I have always tried my best to be a good son-in-law, but she always complains behind my back that I don't give enough money. Whenever I think of this, my heart feels like I have knocked over a five-flavor bottle, not a taste.
My name is Zhang Wei, an ordinary young man in a small city, who has gained a firm foothold in a big city by his own efforts. My wife and I have been married for ten years and have always had a good relationship, but our relationship with my mother-in-law has always made me feel a little overwhelmed.
The mother-in-law is a typical traditional woman who has been dedicated to the family all her life, and she still maintains that diligence and thrift when she is old. I will remit 3,000 yuan to her on time every month, hoping to make her life a little more comfortable in her later years. In my opinion, although this is not a large amount, it should be enough for her to meet her daily expenses in a small city with a low level of consumption.
However, every time I get at a family gathering or occasionally hear a small talk between relatives, I can always feel my mother-in-law's dissatisfaction with me. She always complained, consciously or unconsciously, that I gave too little money and that I was not filial enough. It made me feel very uncomfortable. I'm not a stingy person, but when I hear something like that, I still feel a little aggrieved.
Once, I couldn't help it, so I asked my wife in private, "Does Mom think I don't give enough money?" In fact, she also knows that 3,000 yuan is a lot, but she is unforgiving. ”
I understand, it turns out that my mother-in-law is saying bad things about me behind my back, not because she really dislikes me for giving less, but because her expectations for her daughter and son-in-law are too high, and she always feels that we should give her more. In her eyes, money is the only measure of filial piety.
Since then, I have started to pay more attention to communication with my mother-in-law. Every time I go to see her, I bring some snacks that she likes or chat with her. I want her to know that filial piety is not only about financial support, but also about companionship and care.
But changing a person's perception is not easy. Despite my efforts, my mother-in-law would still speak ill of me behind my back. At one point I even heard her say to a neighbor, "My son-in-law, who looks quite honest, is actually a stingy ghost." When I heard this, I wanted to rush out and find her to reason. But after calming down, I chose to remain silent. After all, arguing with her will not solve the problem, but will only make the family relationship more strained.
Then one night, my wife suddenly told me the news that my mother-in-law was sick and hospitalized. When we hurried to the hospital, we saw her lying on the hospital bed with a pale face, and there was a hint of helplessness and vulnerability in her eyes. At that moment, I suddenly realized: in fact, she is also old and needs care and care.
In the days that followed, my wife and I took turns staying in the hospital to take care of her and comfort her as much as we could. Maybe it was the illness that made her softer, maybe it was our dedication that made her feel warm, and gradually her attitude towards me also changed significantly.
One afternoon, I sat at my mother-in-law's hospital bed, peeling apples and listening to her tell stories about my youth. Suddenly, she gently held my hand and said, "Zhang Wei, my mother said something excessive to you before, don't take it to heart." I smiled and shook my head and said, "Mom, don't say that, it's all family." ”
At that moment, I suddenly realized that money is not the only measure of family affection. True filial piety lies in our respect and love for our elders, not just a matter of living expenses. I also hope that through my story, I can tell everyone to have more understanding and communication in the face of family conflicts and financial entanglements, and less complaints and accusations. Because there is nothing more precious and cherished in this world than family affection.