Mum complains that she wants grandchildren, the response she gets is unexpected
As a family ages and kids fly the nest, mums can crave the little pit-a-pat of feet again.
And this question about grandchildren in the "Dear Prudence" section of Slate magazine, has been attracting a hell of a lot of attention.
Written by a mother of an adult, married son, she questions why he hasn't had children yet. She shares that every time she brings up having children, her son offers an excuse.
She even went as far as to ask the daughter-in-law directly about when they plan to reproduce.
The daughter fairly replied that she has to plan having children around her "high-powered career" and that she "doesn't get paid parental leave at her workplace".
Makes sense, right? Not to this determined lady.
She "offended her [daughter-in-law] greatly" by suggesting that she wouldn't end to work once the baby was born as "our son is very successful and we have considerable means."
The 1950's called, they want their outdated views back.
Don't worry though, agony aunt Prudence shot down the pestering mother in spectacular fashion.
"A great way to convince your children that you want them to be happy is to stop directly contributing to their unhappiness by repeatedly badgering them about their life choices and assuming you know what will make them happy better than they do."
Oh, snap.
Prudence continues to tell the mother to stop "pressing the issue" and to take his "excuses at face value".
She also suggests that the mother apologises to the daughter-in-law for "presuming she should quit her job and have children simply because you would find it convenient."
Furthermore, Prudence to hammers home that her repeated disrespecting of her son's space and lifestyle mean that she no longer has the right to ask them about grandchildren.
"You have forfeited the right to ask innocently about whether or not they’re planning on having children because you have repeatedly failed to do so politely, respectfully, and appropriately."
Take a look at the full problem here:
Commenters are relating to Prudence's advice, and agreeing with her.
What do you think? Is the mother in the right for encouraging her son for grandchildren? Is the agony aunt a bit harsh on her? Have you ever been pestered into producing grandchildren?