In the heart of Beijing's bustling neighborhood, Ms. Zhang tidied up her messy desk. Since her promotion to project manager, overtime has become a daily norm in her daily life. Today, she was finally able to go home early, but while packing her things, she received a phone call with "mother-in-law" on the screen.
"Hey, Mom, what's the matter?" Zhang Xiaohan pressed the answer button.
"Xiaohan, can you go home early today?" the mother-in-law's voice was quick and nervous.
"Well, I'm getting ready to go. What's going on?"
"Your aunt has an urgent business trip tonight, I can't take Lili with me, I have to help your father-in-law go to the hospital for a follow-up visit, and we are the only little Lili at home. ”
Zhang Xiaohan suddenly felt that she was asked, she knew that Xiao Lili was her three-month-old niece. She also understands that her mother-in-law is not good at taking care of children, especially newborn babies.
"Mom, but ......"
"Look, otherwise, I'll send Lili over first, and you can watch it when you get home. In just a few days, your aunt will soon be back. ”
Zhang Xiaohan sighed, she knew in her heart that at this time, the family needed her: "Okay, Mom, you send Lili first, and I will take care of her." ”
Hanging up the phone, Zhang Xiaohan's mood was suddenly a little chaotic, she was already so busy with work, and she had to take care of the baby when she went home, which was a new challenge for her.
Back at home, Zhang Xiaohan saw her mother-in-law anxiously waiting in front of the door, holding the sleeping Xiao Lili in her arms. She couldn't help but soften, and stepped forward and whispered, "Mom, it's really hard for you." ”
"It's all a family, nothing is hard. The main thing is that I'm worried that Xiao Lili will cause you trouble. The mother-in-law gently put the child into Zhang Xiaohan's arms.
"She's our little baby, how can she cause trouble. Zhang Xiaohan provoked a smile, even though she knew that she was probably going to be an all-nighter tonight.
After a while, her husband Liu Bo came home from work, and as soon as he entered the door, he saw his wife busy with baby products.
"Why, we have an extra little guest at such a late hour?" Liu Bo said jokingly while changing his shoes.
"It's your niece and daughter, your sister has something to do on a business trip, and your mother-in-law has to take care of her father-in-law, so she has to trouble us temporarily. ”
"Ah, how many days do you have to take care of?" Liu Bo asked suspiciously as he approached.
"Sister said three days at most, take a look at our lovely little niece. Zhang Xiaohan smiled and handed Xiao Lili to Liu Bo.
Liu Bo, who took the baby, was fascinated by the little life in front of him, "What a little angel." However, Xiaohan, it's not easy to take care of children, what should I do if I cry at night?"
Zhang Xiaohan couldn't help but start worrying: "Hey, let's take it step by step first, let's work hard." ”
The couple began to discuss how to divide and cooperate in the coming days. Zhang Xiaohan thought about the challenges she was about to face, and she felt both uneasy and expectant. In the coming days, she will not only be a working woman, but also a temporary mom. After dinner the next day, Zhang Xiaohan's hand in washing dishes seemed to be a little weaker than usual. Xiao Lili began to frown and cry in the crib in the living room, probably because the gas in her stomach made her uncomfortable. Zhang Xiaohan dried his hands and prepared to comfort his little niece.
Liu Bo looked at his busy wife, and suddenly thought of a "clever plan", he coughed, and said tentatively: "Xiaohan, I see that you have been really hard in the past two days, I have an idea......
Zhang Xiaohan turned his head and picked up his niece, who had just been put down, and did not answer immediately.
"Look, we're going to set you a 'babysitting fee'? How about 300 a day? ”
Hearing her husband's words, Zhang Xiaohan was stunned for a moment, and then smiled helplessly: "Are you kidding me?"
"No, no, no, I'm serious. Liu Bo walked up quickly, "Don't you think this is an emergency? ”
"Alas, Bo, what kind of seriousness are you?" Zhang Xiaohan's tone was a little tired, "I didn't agree to take care of Lili because of money, but when you say this, I feel like I'm doing something purely for money." ”
"Xiaohan, that's not what I meant. Liu Bo hurriedly explained, "I just think that if you work hard, if the family can give you a little subsidy, it will also be an affirmation of your efforts." ”
"But I don't need that kind of 'affirmation'. Zhang Xiaohan sighed, "I hope you can understand, I am also a member of the family, and it is also my responsibility to take care of Lili." I'm not rushing for money. ”
The topic of her husband obviously made Zhang Xiaohan feel a conflict in her heart, the exhaustion of work, the responsibility of the family, and the untimely "kindness" of her husband, which were intertwined, making her feel a little unbearable.
Liu Bo looked at her and sensed the seriousness of the matter, he approached his wife and said softly, "Xiaohan, I'm sorry, I may be a little inconsiderate. Don't worry, I'll share it with you. ”
"It's not a question of sharing or not sharing. Zhang Xiaohan hugged Xiao Lili, who was crying, "This is our family's business, and our common responsibility." I'm tired too, but I'm willing to do it. If you really want to help me, don't mention any money, and it makes the most sense to take care of Lili with me. ”
Liu Bo looked at his wife's eyes, feeling a little self-reproachful, he held Zhang Xiaohan's hand tightly, and realized his illusion just now, "You're right, I'll hug Lili first, you can rest for a while." ”
In the dead of night, Zhang Xiaohan lay on the bed, tossing and turning. The baby's cry and the husband's gentle words trying to lull him to sleep permeated the silence of the night. She knew that while the conflict had been unpleasant, it might have reminded them that sometimes all family members needed most was a little understanding and a sense of companionship. After a few days of taking care of him, Zhang Xiaohan felt that he was about to reach his limit. Although Xiao Lili is cute, the inevitable responsibility of care takes up almost all of her time and energy. One afternoon, when her sister-in-law and mother-in-law came to Zhang Xiaohan's house, her exhaustion made the two of them realize the seriousness of the problem.
The sister-in-law sat on the sofa and said awkwardly, "I'm sorry, Xiaohan, I didn't expect you to be under so much pressure on a business trip." ”
"It's okay, I understand you're having a hard time. Zhang Xiaohan was so tired that he couldn't even cry.
The mother-in-law looked worried, "Why didn't we expect to cause you such a big burden in the first place? Lili is still so young, how can you take care of it alone." ”
"When you discussed the subsidy that day, I was reluctant. Zhang Xiaohan paused and continued, "Actually, this incident made me figure out a lot, and we should make some changes to some traditional concepts of family. ”
The mother-in-law and sister-in-law glanced at each other, and they both showed a look of listening carefully.
"Everyone in the family should have the opportunity to achieve their personal dreams, rather than putting the responsibility of caring for the next generation entirely on women. This is not only fair to me, but also has a positive impact on Xiao Lili's future growth. Zhang Xiaohan stood up with a firm expression.
The sister-in-law nodded, "You're right. We should share the burden, and we should understand and support each other. ”
The mother-in-law also said, "We used to think too simply, and we really should change." ”
The family meeting began after a moment of silence. Zhang Xiaohan proposed a new parent-child relationship plan, that is, to introduce a fairer parenting style, in which both men and women should be involved in the care of the family and children, rather than just women.
The dining table turned into a discussion table: "Can we reach a consensus that even men in the family will take on the responsibility of taking care of children?" Zhang Xiaohan looked at Liu Bo.
Liu Bo nodded, "Actually, I've been thinking about it these days." Li Qiang, a colleague in my office, took paternity leave and took the initiative to take care of the child at home. ”
"Paternity leave? I can understand that. Mother-in-law's eyes lit up.
The sister-in-law also showed an affirmative expression, "In the future, I will also try to communicate with the company, and strive to accompany Lili more at home, instead of pushing everything to Xiaohan." ”
As the conversation deepened, everyone began to put forward their own ideas and suggestions, and gradually everyone agreed that the sharing of family responsibilities should be more balanced, and should not always sacrifice the career and life of the individual woman.
The conversation that night seemed to open a window of progress, and the family members saw each other's pressures and struggles, and reflected and reshaped their family roles and responsibilities even more. In the end, they reached a new family agreement, not only to share the pressure for Zhang Xiaohan, but also for the harmony and happiness of the whole family. As the days passed, the atmosphere of the family gradually changed. Zhang Xiaohan watched his family fulfill their responsibilities, and the stone in his heart seemed to have finally landed.
One night, as the family sat around the dining table, the mother-in-law brought up the matter of taking care of Xiao Lili.
"Xiaohan, I can help you see Lili all year round in the future. The mother-in-law said gently.
Zhang Xiaohan looked at her mother-in-law with a smile, "Mom, I am so grateful for this decision, I am also very concerned about the health of you and Dad, don't be too tired." ”
"Oh, I don't want to be closer to my granddaughter, and you can work more distractedly. The mother-in-law replied with a smile.
The sister-in-law sandwiched a piece of tofu, "I will also try to adjust my work, and I will come to replace my mother on weekends and give her a rest." ”
"Then I'll tell you something. Liu Bo cleared his throat, "The company approved my flexible work application, and I can have more time to work remotely from home." ”
Zhang Xiaohan looked at the family with emotion, "You are really good, so that Lili can also feel more family warmth." ”
After dinner, everyone cleans up the table together, and this small act becomes a microcosm of family harmony. The mutual understanding and support between family members brought deep comfort and strength to Zhang Xiaohan. Home is no longer just a simple place to live, but a harbor full of love.
Over time, every member of the family grew up with this event. They began to share their experiences more, and everyone became more active and accommodating, whether it was work or taking care of family.
In this way, the atmosphere at home became more and more warm. Zhang Xiaohan thought about it again and again in the evening, what did this wonderful experience bring to everyone? Maybe it was a kind of growth, a responsibility, or more of an invisible, deep connection and understanding between family members.
It was late at night, Xiao Lili was sleeping soundly in the crib, and Zhang Xiaohan gently tucked the quilt for her. She walked to the window, looked at the twinkling stars in the night sky, and silently asked herself in her heart: "Isn't home just to take care of each other, share weal and woe, and finally achieve everyone's happiness?"