My Husband Left Me and the Kids Hungry Because His Dad Believes ‘It’s a Woman’s Job to Cook’ – They Both Learned Their Lesson
An ordinary evening turned into a battle over outdated gender roles. It went so far that my children and I had to go without dinner. My husband and father-in-law’s beliefs clashed with our modern family dynamics, but they were in for a lesson they would not forget.
A woman sitting by the table during dinner | Source: Pexels
My husband Marcus comes from this super traditional family and is the oldest of two kids. His mom’s a stay-at-home mom, and his dad was the sole provider.
But our family is the COMPLETE opposite. Instead, we both work and share our duties at home. My father-in-law just HATES it. He despises that I work and that my husband helps out at home.
An irritated son covering his face while his father is talking to him | Source: Pexels
Before my in-laws came to stay with us, my relationship with them was a mixed bag. My mother-in-law, though shy and reserved, was kind to me.
She never openly criticized our way of life, but her silence spoke volumes. She seemed scared to voice any opinion, always deferring to her husband’s rigid beliefs.
A woman smiling while looking at her man | Source: Pexels
My father-in-law, on the other hand, was a different story. He never missed an opportunity to express his disdain for our modern lifestyle. During family gatherings, he would make snide remarks about how a woman’s place was at home, not in the workforce.
People gathering at dinner in night garden and chatting | Source: Pexels
He believed that a man should be the provider and the head of the household, and he didn’t shy away from making his views known. Despite his harsh opinions, I tried to maintain a civil relationship with him for the sake of my husband.
We had several heated discussions over the years, but I always managed to keep my composure and stand my ground. I believed that respecting each other’s differences was the only way to keep the peace.
A man and two women talking at a table | Source: Pexels
So, when my in-laws decided to stay with us for two weeks, I knew it would be challenging. Our usual routine worked well for us. I made breakfast, we all ate lunch out, and my husband cooked dinner.
It was a system that balanced our responsibilities and kept our household running smoothly. Yesterday, I got home from work, exhausted and STARVING. I quickly greeted everyone and went for a pre-dinner shower.
A woman taking a shower | Source: Pexels
When I came back down, I expected dinner to be ready. But there was NOTHING. The kids kept asking when we were having dinner, and I asked my husband, but he wouldn’t even look at me.
Then his FATHER chimed in, “Sarah, your husband didn’t cook anything. You need to stop being LAZY and do your duty as a wife and cook for your family, AS A NORMAL WOMAN.”
A man sitting at the table while looking at a woman | Source: Pexels
I was SPEECHLESS, and my husband just sat there, NODDING, avoiding eye contact. I SAW RED. They both needed to learn a lesson.
“Really?” I started, my voice trembling with anger. “So, I should just come home after a full day of work and start cooking because that’s my duty?”
My father-in-law scoffed. “That’s right, Sarah. A woman’s place is in the kitchen.”
My mother-in-law sat quietly, too scared to say a word to her husband.
I turned to my husband. “And you agree with this?”
He mumbled, “Well, it wouldn’t hurt if you took better care of the home and kids. Tradition is tradition.”
A couple arguing at home | Source: Pexels
“Tradition?” I shot back. “Tradition won’t allow a man earning thirty-five thousand to support a family of five. You are too broke to be so sexist.” I saw tears well up in his eyes, but I wasn’t done.
Turning to his father, I said, “And you! When was the last time you took your wife to a restaurant? Do you even know what it costs to run this household?”
“Let me enlighten you. That car you drive, the one you’re so proud of? I paid for it because my income is bigger than your son’s. He asked me to cover it.”
My father-in-law’s face turned crimson. “That’s not true,” he stammered.
A man wearing glasses | Source: Pexels
“It is true,” I replied. “And now, since my hard-earned money went to that car, it’s only fair that I use this month’s payment to take your wife and my kids out for dinner. Let’s see you and your son figure out the car payment, like real men.”
Without waiting for a response, I took my mother-in-law and kids to a nice restaurant. They deserved a break. We enjoyed a wonderful meal, and my mother-in-law finally relaxed, thanking me repeatedly.
Two women hugging each other | Source: Pexels
Back at home, I knew the men would have to face the reality of their outdated beliefs. They needed to understand that respect and partnership are what make a family strong.
The next morning, there was a noticeable tension in the air. My husband and his father were unusually quiet during breakfast. My husband finally broke the silence.
A man and a woman in a kitchen | Source: Pexels
“I’m sorry for what happened,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper. “I realize now how much I hurt you. I let my father’s outdated views influence me.”
His father, sitting beside him, looked uncomfortable but spoke up as well. “I didn’t realize how much times have changed. I’m sorry too. I’ve always seen things a certain way, but I understand now that it’s not right.”
A middle-aged man talking while wearing glasses | Source: Pexels
My mother-in-law, sitting quietly, nodded in agreement. I appreciated their apologies, but actions speak louder than words. I needed to see a change.
Over the next few days, both men made a visible effort to be more involved and respectful. My husband took back his duties without complaint, and his father helped where he could, even though it was clear he was uncomfortable at first.
A man wearing gloves while standing in front of a sink | Source: Pexels
One evening, as we were all preparing dinner together, my father-in-law approached me. “I want to thank you,” he said. “You opened my eyes. I see now that respect and partnership are crucial. I will try to do better.”
His sincerity touched me. “Thank you for understanding,” I replied. “It’s not about being right or wrong, but about supporting each other.”
Smiling woman sitting on couch with legs crossed | Source: Pexels
From that point on, the atmosphere in our home improved significantly. My husband and his father worked together to ensure that everyone felt valued and respected. My mother-in-law, with a newfound confidence, started to speak up more, expressing her thoughts and needs.
In the end, it wasn’t just about teaching a lesson. It was about growing together as a family and breaking free from outdated traditions that no longer served us. Our journey had its challenges, but it brought us closer and made us stronger.
A young family talking to their parents | Source: Pexels
In Sarah’s story, she was courageous enough to stand up to her father-in-law. But in the following one, Carmen feels guilty about doing the same thing. She questions whether teaching her in-law lesson was the right move.
Woman Ignores Letters from Man She Left 53 Years Ago, Visits Him Once and Finds a Ruined House — Story of the Day
A woman turns down her ex-lover’s invitation to meet him 53 years after they broke up, but when she comes across some of his old letters, she reconsiders her decision and visits him – only to find his house in shambles.
76-year-old Bessie Walsh had always been a joyful, vibrant woman, but after losing her better half Edward to cancer three years ago, she was reduced to a forlorn and dejected soul.
Bessie and Edward had been happily married for 45 years, had two lovely daughters, and had a beautiful home in a wonderful neighborhood. But when Edward left her for his heavenly abode, the cheerful woman was left heartbroken and alone.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Pexels
Bessie’s daughters, Stephanie and Cassandra, were both married and settled abroad, so the only company she had in her later years were her children’s photo albums and memories when they were young. As a result, she rummaged through her storeroom every evening to find all the old albums and sat for hours looking through them.
One evening, she was looking for one of their family albums when she found a stack of envelopes buried in a corner beneath an old crate. She dusted them off to have a better look at them when one of the envelopes fell to the floor, revealing a letter.
She brought everything into the living room and put on her glasses to read them, but as soon as she opened the first letter, her heart began to race.
“Hi Bessie,
This is Troy. I’m so sorry, Bess. Look, I understand you’re upset with me, but please give me a chance to explain myself. What you saw was not true, trust me. I have only loved you, and I won’t look at anyone the same way. Meet me today at the Red Rose Cafe at 5:00 p.m. I’m in your hometown. I’ll explain everything. I promise.
With love, Troy.”
No one could have predicted that the happy, constantly smiling Bessie would have a sad side too, but she did…
When she was 23, she was madly in love with Troy Evans, a young and attractive man. They’d met at university and fallen in love, and Troy had even proposed to her. Bessie had said yes without hesitation, and their wedding had already been planned. But then something happened one evening a week before the wedding that changed everything…
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Pexels
Bessie was out with her friends at a restaurant when she noticed Troy. She initially assumed she had misidentified the man as Troy, but she knew it was him when she looked at him again. She was about to approach him and give him a back hug when a gorgeous brunette ran up to him and kissed him on the cheek. Then they held each other’s hands and walked away to a table together.
Bessie was shocked, to say the least. “Really, Troy? You’re cheating on me!” She sobbed her way out of the restaurant that day, swearing never to see him again. However, she left him a farewell letter, stating she was moving back to her hometown and that everything between them was over.
Troy wrote numerous letters to her after receiving her final letter, begging her to give him a chance to explain himself, but she didn’t bother to read any of them. Later, she married Edward after falling in love with him. She’d even forgotten she had Troy’s letters with her until a postman showed up on her doorstep one day. “You’ve got a letter, ma’am. Pretty fancy! No one does it these days!”
Bessie wondered who would send her a letter as her parents had died a long time ago, and her husband was an orphan with no living relatives. She had opened the letter out of curiosity, only to discover that it was written by Troy.
“Dear Bessie,
It’s been a long time, hasn’t it? It took me a long time to find you, but I did. I didn’t come to meet you because I don’t want to cause problems in your marriage. But I just want to see you once, Bess. You haven’t responded to any of my letters in all these years, but please give me one chance to explain myself. I’m living in Chicago, and you’ll find my address inside the envelope. Please, Bess, meet me once. I’m hoping you won’t decline my request this time.
With love,
Troy Evans. “
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Pexels
It happened about a year after Edward’s death, and Bessie was still in grief, so she threw that letter and the others he’d sent later in the storeroom, never planning to read them. However, as she read one of his letters again this evening, she felt something – presumably a longing to be with someone or be loved – and moved on to the next one.
“Dear Bessie,
This is the last letter I’ll be writing you. I wrote to you so many times, and I really wanted to meet you, but I guess it won’t happen. So I’m writing this letter to explain why I kept telling you I didn’t cheat on you.
One of my friends had requested me to act as his sister’s boyfriend that day so that the boys who were stalking her wouldn’t bother her. Bess, it was all a joke. I wanted to tell you about it earlier, but you were at your grandparents’ house at the time, and when you got back, everything was messed up.
I’ve only loved you with all of my heart, and I’ve never even considered anyone else. I’m still single, and I’m hoping you’ll forgive me and come back to me. But if not, then I guess this is goodbye.
With love,
Troy Evans.”
Bessie’s eyes welled up as she finished reading. Troy had never been unfaithful to her. In truth, he had wanted to tell her everything, but she was too angry to think rationally. She couldn’t help but feel bad for the man who had honestly loved her his entire life. She rummaged through the letters in a frenzy to find the envelope with his address and decided to pay him a visit.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Pexels
However, when she arrived there, all she found was an old, decaying house with broken roofing and worn-out paint. She began inquiring with the neighbors about him, but nobody knew anything. Dejected, she had almost left the neighborhood when her gaze was drawn to a 95-year-old frail woman.
She’d been looking intently at her from the moment she’d arrived there. She felt there was something she knew and wanted to tell her, so she decided to approach her. “Excuse me, do you know anything about Troy Evans?” she gently asked.
The older woman didn’t utter a word and handed her a note. “Go to this address; he’ll be there. He left this place two years ago and never returned,” it said. Bessie realized the woman was mute, which is why she didn’t say anything.
“Thank you!” she whispered to the woman before heading to the address. An hour later, her search for Troy brought her to The Oliver Nursing Home, where she quickly spotted him. He was sitting immobile on a wheelchair in the outer yard, almost like a statue. His previously vibrant, sparkling eyes had a strange dead expression, and his face was dotted with wrinkles.
Bessie’s eyes welled up as she approached him. “Hi, Troy. How are you? It’s me, Bessie!”
The man slowly turned his wheelchair to face her, but he didn’t utter a word.
Bessie smiled at him, teary-eyed, and held his hand in hers. “I’m finally here, Troy. I’m sorry I ignored you all these years. Please forgive me,” she whispered gently.
Suddenly a voice interrupted her. “There’s no point in trying, ma’am. I’m afraid he won’t recognize you.”
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Shutterstock
Bessie turned around and saw a woman in her late 50s standing there. She was Debbie, Troy’s caretaker at the nursing home. She informed her that Troy had suffered from memory loss due to the stroke and was unable to speak.
Bessie’s heart sank when she heard that. Now that she finally met Troy after all these years, he was in such a condition that he didn’t even recognize her! But she decided she won’t give up so soon.
She began visiting him often and told him their stories – how they’d met, showed him the letters too – in the hopes that he would recall something. It didn’t help much initially, but once, when she went to meet him, he cried terribly after reading one of the letters. He kept sobbing, and it was the first time he finally recognized Bessie and called her name! Even the nurses were stunned. It was indeed a miracle!
Bessie brought Troy home that day, and they are now living happily together. She is grateful she decided to go through those letters that evening.
What can we learn from this story?
- Don’t jump to conclusions. Bessie thought Troy had cheated on him without giving him a chance to clarify himself.
- What’s meant to be will be. Troy and Bessie were fated to end up together, and that’s what happened in the end.
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