I\u2019m Matthew, and at an age when I should be enjoying my retirement, I\u2019m back at work. Why? Because a year ago, my son told me he was broke and desperate. I did what any father would do\u2014I opened my home to him, his wife, and their three children. He promised it was temporary.<\/p>\n
That was twelve months ago. Since then, I\u2019ve been the one working long hours to pay for their groceries, their utilities, and their lives, while my son hasn’t lifted a finger to find a steady job. Yesterday, I finally hit my limit. I sat him down and gave him a choice: “Get a job or get out.”<\/p>\n
He didn’t look worried. He just smiled and handed me an envelope. My heart stopped when I opened it and saw an ultrasound picture. They\u2019re having a fourth child. They had been keeping it a secret while living under my roof and spending my retirement savings.<\/p>\n
I asked him how he could possibly think this was a good idea when he can\u2019t even support the three kids he already has. He just got defensive and said, \u201cThings will work out,\u201d and told me I should be happy for them. But I\u2019m not happy. I\u2019m exhausted. I feel used.<\/p>\n
I\u2019ve given him two months to move out. Part of me feels incredibly cruel\u2014those kids are innocent souls. But another part of me knows that if I don\u2019t stop being the safety net, he will never learn to fly. Am I betraying my grandchildren, or am I finally teaching my son how to be an adult? I honestly don\u2019t know anymore.<\/p>\n