After speaking with some large families, I realized why people dislike them.
*”I’m a mother of three, and people should understand me!”*
*”Madam, I didn’t force you to have that many children! Let go of my jumper!”*
Irene had always believed the world owed her everything. Shed been like that since university, long before she started a family. But as soon as she had children, she completely lost the plot.
One. Two. Three. She qualified as a large family, and thats when the chaos truly began.
At first, Daisy thought Irene was suffering from “baby brain”or whatever they called it when new mothers lost all sense of perspective. Suddenly, everyone around them was expected to bow and scrape.
*”Can you believe it? I was standing in a queue with my kids, and no one let me go first!”* Irene ranted during one of their meet-ups.
*”Well, they werent obliged to. Some people are tired from work or in a hurry,”* Daisy pointed out.
Irene immediately cut her off.
*”Oh, nonsense! Whats the harm in waiting? Its not like theyre exhaustedthey dont even have children!”*
*”Who says only parents get tired?”*
*”Because I have three, so I know what Im talking about! But you wouldnt understandyouve never even had kids!”*
Irene was a piece of work. She believed every woman *had* to have at least one childpreferably moreand it drove her mad when anyone disagreed.
Daisy, on the other hand, had always been firm in her decision not to have children. Irene, of course, couldnt wrap her head around it.
Daisy had dreams: travel, career growth, learning new things. Her husband supported her fullyhe didnt want kids either. But Irene saw it as her duty to *correct* her friends misguided thinking.
*”Just have oneyoull be so much happier!”*
*”You wouldnt knowyoure not a mother!”*
*”Whos going to look after you in old age if not your children?”*
Arguing was pointless, and Daisy stopped bothering.
Years later, when Irenes children were older, Daisy visited her. They talked for hoursclearly, Irene was starved for conversation. Shed stopped developing herself, drowning in nappies and routines. Daisys husband often wondered what they even talked about.
*”Irene, what do you want from life? After your kids grow upwhat then?”* Daisy asked.
*”What do you mean? Ill help them. Before I know it, Ill have grandchildren!”*
Daisy was stunned but pressed on. *”Dont you want anything for yourself?”*
*”Why would I? My children *are* my life. Oh, and did you know we qualify for extra benefits now?”*
Of course, Irene steered the conversation back to *her* needsshe always did when she didnt want to answer uncomfortable questions.
Eventually, Daisy grew embarrassed to be seen with her in publicespecially after one incident.
While shopping, Irene had dragged her kids along, hunting for sale jumpers. Daisy wandered off but rushed back when she heard shouting*Irenes* shouting.
*”Im a mother of threeyou should *understand*!”*
*”Madam, I didnt tell you to have that many kids! Let go of my jumper!”*
Daisy quickly intervened. *”Irene, stop making a scene! Have some shamethink of your kids!”*
Her colleague, the woman Irene was harassing, gave Daisy a look. *”Daisy I never took you for *this* sort of friend.”*
That was the moment Daisy realized Irene wasnt just embarrassing *herself*she was dragging Daisy down with her. *Youre known by the company you keep.* And this wasnt the first time.
After that, Daisy quietly distanced herself. She didnt have the heart for a direct confrontationthere was no real fight, after all. But she couldnt tolerate Irenes entitlement anymore. *”Works crazyno time to meet!”* became her excuse.
Yet Irene, starved for drama, soon picked a fight herself. She stormed into Daisys home one evening.
*”Care to explain yourself?”*
*”Explain what?”*
Daisy braced for accusations about avoiding herbut Irenes gripe was utterly absurd.
*”I saw your sisters kid yesterday.”*
*”And?”*
*”She was wearing that designer snowsuitthe one I saw at your place!”*
*”Whats your point?”*
*”You shouldve given it to *us*, not your sister!”*
Daisy was speechless. Irene genuinely believed she had the right to dictate who Daisy gifted things to?
*”Irene, do you *hear* yourself? Its *my* choice who I give things to!”*
*”Your sister has *one* childshe can afford nice things! Ive got three and cant. *I* needed it more!”*
What Irene needed wasnt designer clothesit was a reality check. But reasoning with her was impossible. She screeched, demanded, and finally had to be *escorted* outstill yelling in the hallway. Daisy later apologized to the neighbours in the buildings group chat.
Irene? Never apologized to anyone.
Ten years later, they bumped into each other at the park.
*”Well, this is a surprise! Heard you and your husband moved abroad?”*
*”Just visiting my parents. How are you? Kids alright?”*
Irene gestured to her pram. *”Fourth one just arrived.”*
*”Congratulations! Really happy for you!”*
*”Thanks. Shame theres nothing to congratulate *you* onstill no kids at *38*?”*
Irenes judgmental stare raked over Daisys stylish outfita stark contrast to her own tired appearance.
*”Oh, weve got our own business overseasthriving, exactly as we wanted!”*
*”Still childless, though,”* Irene sniffed.
*”We just have different priorities.”*
Irene would *never* grasp that not everyones purpose was motherhoodor that having kids didnt entitle her to the worlds deference.
*”Ooh, *love* that handbag! Whered you get it?”*
*”Bought it.”*
*”Hmm *I* could do with one like that.”*
*”Why would *I* get you one?”*
Irenes audacity knew no bounds.
*”Youre loadedone bag wont bankrupt you! Im a motherI *deserve* nice things!”*
*”Go earn it yourself!”*
*”How? Im on maternity leave! Oh waityou wouldnt *get* it. Not a *real* woman, are you?”*
She kept shrieking as Daisy walked away.
The truth was simple: *No one owed Irene anything.* Having kids was *her* choice. If she couldnt afford them, maybe she shouldve thought sooner.
Nowadays, it seemed trendy: pop out children first, *then* panic about moneywhile demanding handouts from people who owed you *nothing*.
But then again, Daisy could *never* measure up to Irene. Their goalsand their respect for otherswere just too different.
