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After my parents divorced when I was ten, Dad quickly remarried Sandra, and his attention seemed to shift entirely to her son, Tommy. He missed important moments in my life, like science fairs and soccer finals, always prioritizing Tommy’s needs over mine. When he skipped my high school graduation to take Tommy to the zoo, claiming Tommy needed cheering up, I’d had enough..
I decided to confront him at a graduation dinner I organized. As I stood to speak, I recounted how his absences had affected me, hoping to make him see the impact of his choices. His reaction surprised me; he acknowledged his mistakes and promised to make amends. The following weekend, he took me on a special trip to bond, showing a newfound commitment to our relationship. Finally, I felt hopeful about our future.
My In-Laws Didn’t Invite My Children to Family Dinner, Disparagingly Calling Them “Baggage”
Our reader Nadine sent us an emotional letter. The fact is that her in-laws invited the whole family over for dinner, leaving her children out. To make matters worse, her husband knew this and approved of this behavior.
This is Nadine’s letter.
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We decided to find out what readers think about this situation. All of them found the behavior of the husband and in-laws offensive.
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- I have a very short answer that I use on occasion, and that is. When people show you who they are, believe them. Whatever is said now and whatever apologies made, you know who they all are. © Linda Fawcett / Facebook
- If my kids weren’t welcome at whatever function, I wouldn’t go either. © Sandy Freed / Facebook
- I would have left straight away and if my husband didn’t follow, I would have finished my marriage, when it comes to my kids no one wins over them. © Liz Russell Flaherty / Facebook
- I’d ask my hit if he cared about me and the kids. And then I’d leave the restaurant with or without him. © Faye Birkbeck / Facebook
- This happened to us for a wedding. Other kids were there. We drove 3 hours to get there, so we were stuck. That was 40 years ago. I never forgot. © Regina Mason / Facebook
- My children come first, they are not baggage’s … it does not matter if you’re blood or not, kindness should be organic. © M Otto Rittah Rxs / Facebook
- I would seriously consider whether you stay with your husband, as he clearly hasn’t accepted your children. To say that they shouldn’t be at a family gathering because they’re not blood relatives, means he agrees with your in-laws. I can only imagine how your kids feel with their ‘so called’ dad, disowning them in this manner. © James Wood / Facebook
Conflict with in-laws is not uncommon. Here is the story of a young woman who decided to teach her insolent mother-in-law a lesson.
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