23October2025
Today I watched Emma in the kitchen, her eyes fixed on the wooden chopping board while Margaret, my motherinlaw, sliced apples for an apple crumble and chattered away as if she were telling a story to an eager crowd. Emma didnt answer; she simply watched. Its been a month since Margaret moved in, and I can see how the constant presence is wearing her down. Our marriage of five years has been happy, yet in recent weeks Emma has begun to wonder whether she made the right choice marrying the son of a woman who never seems to leave his affairs to him.
Emily, youre not listening to me! Margaret snapped, pausing her tale and pursing her lips. Im telling you Daniel needs a different job. That design firm is a joke! I spoke to an old friendshell take him into her construction company. Better pay, better prospects, a promotion within a year. And you could stay at home, not work a day.
Emma inhaled deeply, trying to keep her irritation in check. Motherinlaw, Daniel decides where he works. Hes an adult.
Of course hes an adult, but youre his wife! You should steer him, not let him chase those daft sketches and picturesthose arent a mans work! Margarets voice rose.
Daniel is a designerarchitect and hes brilliant, Emma replied, teetering on the edge of a breakdown. His firm is excellent and he loves what he does.
Loves it? Margaret flailed her hands. And the money? They pay pennies there! And the children? Youll have to raise them. What will you teach them?
We arent planning children yet, Emma whispered, though the topic had been discussed many times already. We have enough money for the time being.
Not planning? Margaret set the knife down and turned toward her daughterinlaw. I thought so! Good heavens, what am I to do with you? Five years married and still no kids! I was raising Daniel at your age!
Emma stayed quiet. She wanted childrenvery muchbut not now. She had just defended her PhD and secured a senior lecturer post in the Department of Architecture. She and Daniel had agreed to wait three more years before thinking about a family, giving her time to cement her academic career.
Assuming silence meant consent, Margaret pressed on. Look at Lucy, my friends daughtershes already had three and her husbands a builder who put a proper house up for his family.
Motherinlaw, Daniel and I will decide our own lives, Emma said, trying to steady herself. I respect you, but
What do you mean well decide ourselves? Margaret snapped. Im his mother! I know whats best for both of you! Youre still young, naïve. A mother never gives bad advice.
Emma shook her head and left the kitchen. Arguing was futile. She climbed the stairs to the modest but cosy semidetached house theyd bought two years ago with a mortgage, lay on the bed, and closed her eyes. Exhaustion washed over herlecturing, marking papers, and Margarets relentless critiques were draining.
That evening Daniel returned, looking tired yet satisfied. You wont believe it Ive been promoted to lead designer on a new project! he announced, planting a kiss on Emmas cheek.
Congratulations, love! she beamed.
Mother, what project? How much are they paying? Margaret barged in, eager to join the conversation.
Its a highend residential development, Mum, Daniel said, buoyant. The salary will rise, of course.
By how much? Margaret pressed.
Does it matter? Were fine, Daniel replied, a hint of irritation in his tone.
Fine? What about the mortgage? The car? That clunker of yours is falling apart! Margaret rattled on. Look at Sarahs son
Im not Sarahs son, Daniel cut her off. And can we stop this now? Im hungry.
During dinner Margaret continued her moralising. Daniel mostly kept quiet, while Emma felt a growing knot of irritation. After the meal, alone in the bedroom, Emma finally snapped.
Daniel, I cant take this any longer! Your mother meddles in everythingyour work, our plans, our life! When is she leaving?
Emma, she just wants whats best. Shes always like that, Daniel sighed.
I know, but its one thing when she visits on weekends and another when she lives with us fulltime!
Its only temporary, Daniel tried to reassure her. Shes renovating her flat.
How long does a renovation in a onebedroom flat take? A month already! Emma retorted.
Mom likes everything perfect. Bear with it a bit longer, love, Daniel said, smiling.
Emma nodded. She could hardly drive her motherinlaw out; patience was wearing thin.
The next morning, as Emma was getting ready for work, Margaret appeared at the bedroom door.
Emma, we need to talk, she said, perching on the edge of the bed.
Im in a rush, Mum. Can it wait until tonight? Emma tried to dodge.
No, its important, Margaret insisted. I think you should quit your job.
What? Emma froze, hairbrush in hand. Why?
Because you need to have children! You cant keep postponing forever. I spoke to Daniel yesterday; he wants a baby too.
Daniel? Emmas heart hammered. Did he actually say that?
Not directly, but I can see it. Hes my son; I know his wishes, Margaret replied, eyes bright.
Emma set the brush down and faced her motherinlaw. I appreciate your concern, truly. But Daniel and I have already decided to wait three years. Its not the right time now.
Not the right time? Margaret flared. When will it be? When youre forty? I was your age when I raised Daniel. Times have changed.
I know, Emma interjected. You raised him, but the world is different now.
Exactly! Once families were everything; now everyone chases careers. What about children? Margaret lamented.
Emma glanced at the clock. I must go. Well discuss this again tonight with Daniel.
The day passed in a blur of lectures, student consultations, and a departmental meeting. Emmas mind kept drifting back to Margarets words. Could she be right? Could Daniel really want a child right now but be too shy to say it?
When they returned home, Margaret had prepared a celebratory dinner and announced, Were having a family council tonight!
Emma braced herself. As Margaret poured wine, she declared, I have news! I spoke with Gillian Smith, and she wants to hire Daniel as head of her design department!
Daniel choked on his glass. Mum, what?
Your new job! Margaret beamed. Gillian runs a major construction firm and is offering you double the salary!
What department? Daniel asked, bewildered.
The design department, of course! Youre an architect! Margaret said, proud. Imagine the pay rise.
Mother, Im happy where I am, Daniel said firmly. I dont need a new job.
But Daniel, think of the future! Think of the children! Margaret shouted, thrusting a brochure at him.
Daniel pushed it away. Im content with my current role.
Emma, youre quitting, arent you? Margaret turned to Emma, eyes wide.
What? I never said that! Emma protested. Im not leaving my job.
But we talked about it this morning
I said Id think about it later. Not that Id quit, Emma corrected. Were still on our threeyear plan.
Margarets face flushed. Youll be thirty in three years! Thats risky!
People have children after thirty all the time, Mum, Daniel replied calmly.
Which is wrong! Margaret insisted. I had you at twentytwo, perfect timing! I just want the best for you both.
Daniel placed a hand on his mothers shoulder. I love you, Mum, but we need to make our own choices.
Emma watched, relief washing over her as Daniel finally voiced what theyd been holding back. The dinner was ruined, Margaret retreated to her room, and the house fell silent.
Later, Emma asked, Daniel, do you really want a child now?
He looked at her, eyes tired. No, love. We agreed on three years. Im stressed because of Mum, but I still love my work.
Maybe we should speak to her together, Emma suggested.
I will tomorrow, he promised. Tonight isnt the night.
The next day Margaret acted as though nothing had happened, asking about Emmas plans and making breakfast. That evening, Emma found her at the computer, typing furiously.
Good evening, Emma said, stepping into the study. What are you doing?
Oh! Emmajust writing to a friend, Margaret stammered, quickly closing the browser. Emma caught the page title: How to convince your children to have a baby.
Lets talk, Emma said, sitting down.
About what, dear? Margaret feigned surprise.
About you trying to control our lives, Emma replied evenly. Were adults; we make our own decisions.
Controlling? Margaret gasped. Im only helping, offering advice! Im a mother!
Youre Daniels mother, not mine, Emma said firmly. Were a married couple, and we decide together.
Margaret sighed. I just want whats best for you both.
And we appreciate that, but we need space to choose whats best for us, Emma concluded.
At that moment Daniel entered, looking uneasy. The director called me today. Some woman asked about my salary and prospects. It was you, wasnt it?
Did I? Margarets eyes widened. I was just checking that you were alright.
It crossed a line, Mum, Daniel said, voice steady but tense. We need our privacy.
Im your mother! There are no boundaries! Margaret protested.
There should be, Daniel replied. We have a right to a personal life.
Emma watched as Daniels fists clenched, his frustration palpable. He walked over, put a gentle hand on Margarets shoulder, and said, I love you, Mum, but please let us live our own lives.
She began to sob. I just dont want you to make mistakes!
Even if they are mistakes, theyre ours, Daniel said softly. Well learn and move on.
The room fell quiet. Emma reached for the kettle, suggesting tea to ease the tension. Daniel nodded, and Margaret, though still upset, seemed to understand a little.
The following morning Margaret announced she was moving back to her flat in Coventry. Emma felt a mix of relief and pityrelief at the quiet returning, pity for a woman whose love was so entangled with control.
Before she left, Emma said, Youre always welcome to visit, Mum, just dont interfere with our choices.
Margaret smiled faintly. Ive learned my lesson. I only ever wanted the best.
Weeks later, after three years, Emma and Daniel welcomed a baby girl. Margaret, now a proud grandmother, held the newborn gently and whispered, Shes beautiful. You made the right decision.
Emma and Daniel exchanged a look of quiet triumph. The journey had been painful, but the outcome felt worth every strain.
Looking back, I realise that love can sometimes wear the mask of authority. My motherinlaws meddling sprang from a place of caring, yet it threatened to drown our own voice. Ive learned that respecting the boundaries of those we love is as vital as protecting our own. In the end, the family that listens to each other grows strongerno matter how many generations sit at the table.
