My Daughter-in-Law Fell Out with Me Over the Flat and Has Started Turning My Son Against Me

Oh, you wont believe the week Ive had. My daughter-in-law Lucy is absolutely fuming with me over the flat, and shes even started turning my son, Tom, against me.

Tom, bless him, has fallen for a girl who, quite frankly, is incredibly manipulative. Lately, shes taken to filling his head with the idea that I dont care about their happiness, as if I only ever think about myself. And all this because I refused to swap flats with them!

You know, since David passed away a few years back, Toms been my only child. Ive done my absolute best for him, raising him with all the love and care I could muster, and made sure he had a good education. When he was younger, he lived at home, even all through university, then went straight into a good job as soon as he graduated. Honestly, he makes me so proud. Hes a wonderful lad, doing brilliantly in his career.

David and I, we never had bags of money. Its never been an extravagant lifewe were renters for years. It was only when we were both in our forties that we finally scraped together enough for our own place. There was no way we could ever afford a second property for Tom. But hes a clever boy, he can buy his own eventually, just as we did.

When Tom first told me he was seeing someone, I was over the moon. I made a real effort to get on well with Lucy; never once criticised her, never gave her any grief. Honestly, I wasnt fussed about who Tom brought homeso long as he was happy, thats all that mattered to me. At first, I thought Lucy was charmingpolite, really down to earth. But honestly, after the wedding, she showed a very different side.

After they came home from their honeymoon, Lucy quit her job. She said her old boss was a nightmare and shed find something better. But you know what? Two years on, and shes still at home, no sign of wanting to work.

Theyve ended up in her tiny one-bed flat, right on the edge of town. With only Tom working and Lucy spending all his wages on beauty salons and designer clothes, theres no way they can afford a better place right now.

I simply cant believe she hasnt found work in two yearswho couldnt get a job in all that time? Im sure shes not even really looking; she seems to quite enjoy living off Tom, just spending her days as she pleases.

I couldnt resist asking once if theyd thought about starting a family. Lucy just snapped, How could we possibly with so little space? So I suggested maybe they try saving up towards a deposit for their own place, maybe a mortgage. But she just sighed, Theres nothing to save, we barely make it through the month as it is.

It took a lot not to say that if she bothered to get a job, they might have been able to save by now. Look, if theyd actually tried to set aside money, of course Id want to help. Ive already put aside a decent amount for emergencies or if Tom ever needed a bit of help. But as things are, I dont fancy handing that over just to see Lucy spend it all on things they dont need.

Now, Lucys started going on about having a babycomplaining that times ticking and they need to think about a little one. But honestly, can they really bring a child into this situation? Trouble is, Toms started agreeing with her.

He actually said to me, Mum, what do you think about swapping flats with us? We wouldnt have to sort out any legal stuff, just a straight swap. Youd have what you need, and we wouldnt have to worry about a mortgage.

I was cut to the core. Theres no way he dreamt that up by himself. I told him I couldnt just leave the neighbourhood I knowits not easy for someone my age to just move away from everything familiar.

Lucy piped up with a smirk, Youve only got a few more years of work, and then well give you those grandchildren. Can you imagine?

I flat out refuseddidnt like the sound of it at all. I have no interest in leaving my home just because they cant be bothered to sort themselves out.

Since then, Toms brought it up a few more times, and the things hes said have really hurt. Hes never been one to take advantage of anyone; now his wifes egging him on to do exactly that.

Last time they came by, I heard Lucy mutter, Lets go. I told you your mum doesnt care if we have kids or not. She wouldnt lift a finger to help us! And they left just like that.

Since then, Tom hasnt picked up the phone. Doesnt answer my calls or texts. I dont know whats got into him. Hes a bright lad, but when Lucys around, its like he loses all sense.