My son just informed us that he and his wife are divorcing. As many of you have related, I haven’t stopped crying. They have one son who’s a toddler. They’ve just made this decision and haven’t ironed out any details yet but their tentative plan includes my son living with us while his wife and son stay in the house they occupied together. The house, however, is owned jointly by us and our son, not her. It’s been a very stressful couple of years. Our son has clinical depression and had a lengthy period during which he was out of work; my husband has stage 4 lung cancer; last year we purchased the home for them when they moved back from another state to be near us so that we could babysit and they could help with my husband. My son says they are determined to make their son the priority and hope that he can move freely between the two houses. My immediate dilemma, however is quite bizarre - I knew they were having problems, however, never pried and was hoping things were improving with the stability of solid jobs for them both and a solid home. So, I’ve planned several costly trips for all of us, including a trip to Europe for our 50th this year. When our son gave us this news, I immediately said that I guess I’d have to cancel our travel plans. He said that was up to me but that he and his wife are fine with going with us and their son since they feel they can still remain good friends - they are simply not lovers. I am so torn - on the one hand a family trip when they’re no longer a real couple doesn’t seem right to me, on the other hand we fully intend to stay in touch with our daughter-in-law whom we love and who has no parents if her own.
Tales about "stingy" guests and hosts.