My Husband Didn’t Save Me Any Food for Dinner While I Was Feeding Our Newborn Son
Five weeks ago, my world changed in the most beautiful and challenging ways when I became a mother. My son, with his tiny fingers and soft sighs, became the center of my universe. Yet, amid this new and overwhelming love, a shadow loomed over our little family’s happiness — my mother-in-law.
From the moment we brought our son home, she stationed herself in our living room, transforming it into her base camp. Her intentions might have been good, at least that’s what my husband believed, asserting she was here to help us navigate through these early days of parenthood. However, her presence quickly became another source of stress. She filled our home with visitors, contributing to the chaos rather than alleviating it. Despite this, I bit my tongue, choosing silence over confrontation, all for the sake of peace.
A mam and her baby | Source: Pexels
Amidst the endless cycle of feeding, changing diapers, and soothing my son to sleep, I found little time for myself, often going hours without food. My mother-in-law, claiming that she was there to cook, didn’t extend her support to actually helping with the baby. Eventually, I was exhausted and hungry, clinging to the hope that at least I wouldn’t have to worry about meals.
A woman cooking | Source: Pexels
Last night shattered that last vestige of appreciation I had for her so-called help. After a long evening spent breastfeeding, I emerged from the nursery, expecting to find a plate saved for me, only to be met with indifference from my husband and outright disregard from his mother.
The coldness in her voice as she informed me there was no food left because she assumed I wasn’t hungry cut deeper than any physical hunger I felt. In that moment, my frustration boiled over. The argument that ensued was heated and bitter, revealing the deep fissures in our family dynamics.
An empty plate | Source: Pexels
My husband’s defense of his mother, coupled with his outrage at my reaction, made it painfully clear that I was alone in this struggle. On top of it all, he even expected me to wash the dishes as well. Feeling utterly unsupported and unseen, I made the decision to leave, seeking refuge in my mother’s home. The calm and care I found there stood in stark contrast to the turmoil I left behind.
An upset woman | Source: Pexels
Yet, even here, where I thought I would be safe, the conflict followed. My husband’s relentless calls and messages, each more accusatory than the last, painted me as the villain in this scenario. His inability to understand my perspective, to see the toll his mother’s presence and his lack of support took on me, was disheartening. The narrative he spun to his family, that I was keeping our son from him over a trivial matter like food, only added to my sense of isolation.
An angry guy | Source: Pexels
As I tried to navigate through these swirling emotions, the bond with my son remained my anchor. His innocent dependence on me, his warmth, and his trust, fortified my resolve to seek a better environment for us both, even if it meant standing against the expectations and demands of my husband and his family.
A woman and her baby | Source: Pexels
In the quiet of my mother’s house, with my son cradled close, I pondered our future. The path forward seemed daunting, fraught with difficult conversations and decisions. Yet, in the face of this adversity, I knew I had to advocate for myself and my son, to strive for a life filled with the love, respect, and support we deserved.
A woman enjoying a cup of coffee | Source: Pexels
In a moment of sheer desperation, I reached out to the one person I hadn’t considered before — my father-in-law. Through tear-blurred eyes and with a trembling voice, I poured out my heart, detailing every strain and stress that had pushed me to my limit. To my surprise, he didn’t just offer words of comfort; he took immediate action.
A man on a phone call | Source: Pexels
Within the hour, we were standing together at my house’s doorstep, his usually gentle demeanor replaced with a stern resolve that I had rarely seen. He didn’t spare a moment for pleasantries, bypassing me to confront the heart of the turmoil — his son and wife, seated obliviously in front of the TV. The air grew heavy with anticipation as he declared, “This ends now,” a simple yet powerful decree that commanded attention.
An older man | Source: Pexels
He turned to my husband first, his voice a mix of disappointment and authority, “You will wash the dishes every night from now on. Your wife needs your support, not your neglect.” The shock on my husband’s face was palpable, a visible sign that the weight of his father’s words had struck a chord.
Then, without missing a beat, he addressed his wife, my mother-in-law, with a clarity and firmness that left no room for negotiation. “And you, it’s time to go home. Your ‘help’ here is doing more harm than good.” The impact of his words on her was immediate; the usually unflappable woman was reduced to a silent, stunned figure, her protests dying before they could even begin.
An upset older woman | Source: Pexels
With the air still echoing his pronouncements, my father-in-law turned to me, a softness returning to his gaze, “Now, let’s go get you a proper meal.” That dinner was a welcome pause in the storm where understanding and compassion filled the gaps worn by weeks of tension. It was a balm to my frayed nerves, a gesture of solidarity that I had sorely missed.
Woman enjoying a meal | Source: Pexels
Back home, the reality of my father-in-law’s intervention began to take root. My husband, confronted with the undeniable truth of his neglect, took to the dishes — a symbolic act of taking responsibility not just for the cleanliness of our home, but for the well-being of our family. It was a turning point, one that reshaped the dynamics of our household.
A happy woman | Source: Pexels
The changes were gradual but undeniable. My husband emerged as a more present and supportive partner, actively participating in the care of our son and the myriad tasks that keep a home running smoothly. My mother-in-law’s presence in our home, once a source of constant stress, became a rare and much more welcome occurrence. Her visits, now infrequent, were no longer invasions but genuine attempts to connect and contribute positively to our family life.
A happy family | Source: Pexels
This transformation, sparked by the bold yet necessary intervention of my father-in-law, brought about a sense of peace and respect that had been missing. The support I had longed for was finally manifesting, not just in the physical help around the house but in the emotional solidarity that now characterized our family. It was a stark reminder of the power of understanding and the profound impact of taking a stand for what’s right.
A man washing dishes | Source: Pexels
In the end, the turmoil that had once seemed insurmountable became the catalyst for a deeper connection and appreciation among us all. My husband’s efforts to amend his ways and my mother-in-law’s adjusted approach to her visits painted a hopeful picture of our future — a future where support, respect, and love were no longer scarce commodities but the foundation of our home.
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Doctor Raises Triplets after Mother Dies in Labor, in 5 Years Their Bio Dad Appears — Story of the Day
Doctor Spellman adopted and raised his sister’s triplets after she passed away during childbirth. But five years later, his life was turned upside down when the triplets’ bio father showed up to reclaim the children.
“Breathe, breathe. It’s all going to be okay,” Thomas gently told his sister, marching alongside her while she was being carried to the operation room on a gurney.
Leah’s sweaty brows furrowed as she tried to take a deep breath. “You’re… You’re the best older brother I could ask God for, Thomas,” she whispered as they entered the OR.
Leah had gone into labor at only 36 weeks of pregnancy, and the doctors had suggested performing a C-section. But soon after delivering the first baby, Leah’s pulse began dropping, and her condition worsened…
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Pexels
“Leah, please stay with me! Nurse, what’s happening? Look at me, Leah! Look at me,” Thomas cried, his palms wrapped around his sister’s hand.
“Doctor Spellman, you need to leave, please,” Dr. Nichols said, escorting him outside. Then the doors of the OR were slammed shut.
Thomas sank onto one of the chairs in the waiting area, his tears not stopping. He could still smell his sister’s scent on his palms. He buried his face in his hands, hoping it would all be fine soon.
But when a doctor’s voice snapped him out of his thoughts, he could tell something was not right. “Doctor…how…how’s Leah?” he asked, jumping to his feet.
“We’re sorry, Thomas,” Dr. Nichols said remorsefully. “We tried our best, but we couldn’t stop the bleeding. The children are safe and have been placed in the NICU.”
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Pexels
Thomas sank back onto the chair, unable to process the news of his sister’s death. Leah had been so excited to hold her little angels, cradle them, and give them only the best. How could God be so cruel and take her away so soon?
What am I going to do now?” Thomas thought disappointedly when a voice boomed in the hallway. “Where the hell is she?! She thought she could deliver the kids, and I wouldn’t know?”
Thomas’s rage knew no bounds when he saw his sister’s ex-boyfriend, Joe, storming into the hospital. “Where is your sister?” Joe growled.
Thomas grabbed the man’s collar and pinned him to the wall. “Now you’re interested in where she is, huh? Where were you when she spent a night on the streets because of a lowlife like you? And where were you, Joe, when she collapsed four hours ago? She’s dead! My sister…she didn’t even survive to see her kids!”
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Pexels
“Where are my children? I want to see them!” Joe screamed, yanking away Thomas’s arms.
“Don’t you even dare talk about them, Joe! Get out of my hospital, or I will call security!” Thomas warned him. “OUT!”
“I’m leaving now, but I’m going to get my children back, Thomas! You can’t take them away from me,” Joe shot back as he disappeared away from the hallway.
For the sake of his three little nephews, Thomas decided he couldn’t just sit and mourn his sister’s loss. He was all his nephews had, and he would do anything to ensure the children didn’t grow up under their alcoholic father’s care. So Thomas decided to adopt the triplets, and he fought for their custody in court.
“This is unfair, your honor!” Joe screamed on the witness stand, shedding fake tears. “I am the kids’ father. How would I survive without those little lives? They are Leah’s flesh and blood, MY flesh and blood, and they are all I have now!”
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Pexels
“Let me get something clear,” the judge told Joe. “You were not married to the children’s mother, Leah, nor did you support her financially while she was pregnant. Is that right?”
“Well, you’re not wrong, your Honor,” Joe sighed, lowering his head. “I work as a handyman and take up small gigs. I couldn’t afford to support her, and that’s the reason why we didn’t get married.”
“Pardon me, your honor, but my client has text messages and voice notes from his sister where she clearly states that Mr. Dawson is a heavy drinker,” said Thomas’s lawyer. “And she refused to marry him unless he entered a rehabilitation program.” The lawyer presented the evidence in court, convincing the judge that Joe was not fit to raise the children, and the court decided in favor of Thomas.
As Thomas walked out of the courtroom, he looked up at the bright skies, remembering his sister. “I had promised you I would do my best to help you. I hope I didn’t disappoint you, Leah,” he whispered with teary eyes.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Pexels
Right then, Joe stormed out of the court and grabbed Thomas’s arm. “I’m the real father of the children, and I’m going to fight for them, Thomas. Don’t be too proud that you’ve won for now.”
Thomas pulled his arm from Joe’s grasp and glared at him. “That’s exactly why you’re not fit to become their father, Joe! You shouldn’t fight for the children but for the children’s sake!”
When Thomas returned home from the court, satisfied that Leah’s kids were safe with him, he saw his wife packing her bags.
“What’s going on, Susannah?” he asked, bewildered. “What’s with all the packing at this time?”
“I’m sorry, Thomas,” she huffed, zipping the last bag. “I’m not even sure if I want children at all, and here you have three at once. You won the case, didn’t you? Well, I thought it over, but I don’t think I want to spend the next few years of my life changing diapers. I didn’t sign up for this when I married you, Thomas. Sorry.”
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Pexels
And then Susannah was gone. Thomas looked around the house, and he still couldn’t believe he was left all alone to care for his nephews. He pulled out a bottle from the wine rack in frustration, but just as he tossed away the cork, his gaze was drawn to the screensaver on his phone.
His three little nephews were waiting for him. He couldn’t just drown in his sorrows and leave them to their fates.
“I promised Leah I would give them a good life. I can’t do this!” He returned the wine bottle to the rack and walked away.
Time flew by, and the triplets, Jayden, Noah, and Andy, were raised in the love and care of Thomas. Whether it was cleaning the boys’ poopy diapers or lulling them to sleep with his tragically unmelodic voice, Thomas loved each moment he spent with his nephews.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Pexels
But their care also took a toll on his physical and mental health, and one day, Thomas collapsed at work. He dismissed it as a lack of sleep and left to pick up his nephews from kindergarten.
But as he arrived home, the sight of the man across from his house sent shivers down his spine. Joe stood there on the sidewalk, in front of Thomas’s house, after five long years.
“Kids, get inside. I’m gonna join you soon, okay?” Thomas smiled as the kids went in.
Then he approached Joe. “What the hell are you doing here?!” he snarled. “Have you been stalking us all along?”
“I’m here to take back what’s mine, Thomas. I’m here for my children!” he admitted brazenly.
“Your children?” Thomas scoffed. “Where were you all those five years when I was raising them? They were never yours, to begin with, Joe. You walked out on them when they weren’t even born, and now you’ve returned to claim them? They’re no longer your children. Get lost!”
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Unsplash
“You’re wrong, Thomas,” Joe said confidently. “I worked hard for those five years so I could be financially stable to look after my children. I told you I wouldn’t give up, and it’s time the children went home with their biological father!”
“Oh really?” Thomas challenged him. “I bet the new car you’re driving around will convince the judge otherwise. Don’t waste your time!”
Thomas was confident that Joe wouldn’t be able to take the kids back, but a few months later, he received a court summons. Thomas’s heart dropped as he read it, but he still mustered courage and appeared at the court.
During the hearing, Joe’s lawyer summoned Thomas to the witness stand. “It has recently come to our attention that Dr. Spellman is on a very specific regimen of prescription medications,” Joe’s lawyer said. “After consulting a medical specialist, I’ve come to—”
“Objection, your honor!” Thomas’s lawyer cried, jumping to his feet.
“I will allow it since the guardian’s health directly impacts these proceedings,” the judge said.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Pexels
“Thank you, your honor,” Joe’s lawyer continued, turning to face Thomas. “Is it true, Dr. Spellman, that you were diagnosed with a brain tumor, and the doctors can’t guarantee how long you will live? And that this particular combination of medications is used to treat a brain tumor?”
Thomas hung his head as he said, “Yes.” He was indeed diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor months ago and was taking medications to shrink the size and prevent seizures.
After listening to both parties, the judge looked at Thomas with sympathetic eyes and delivered the judgment.
“Considering the new circumstances, the court believes that it would be best for the children to be in the care of their biological father. Dr. Spellman, I wish you strength and good health, but if you truly love these children, you must understand that this is what’s best for them. Hence, I am awarding the custody of the children to their biological father. You have two weeks to prepare them.”
Thomas had seen it all coming the day he received the summons, but he wanted to fight for his nephews and for the sake of his promise to Leah.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Pexels
As he packed his nephews’ bags, ready to bid them goodbye, Thomas’s chest felt hollow, as if a heart was no longer beating there. These children had been his reason to live.
“Uncle Thomas, we want to live with you! Please, Uncle Thomas,” the kids insisted.
“Boys,” Thomas said. “If you love Uncle Thomas, you know he would never choose something wrong for you. I want you to be happy, and Joe will keep you happy, boys. Will you please get your things to his car now?”
As the three little boys loaded their bags into Joe’s car, they didn’t even look at him. In fact, they turned around and ran and hugged Doctor Thomas’s leg.
“I love you, Uncle Thomas,” Jayden said in tears. “I…I don’t want to leave you!”
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Pexels
“We want to live with you, too!” Noah and Andy cried in unison.
“Hey, hey, guys,” Thomas crouched down to face the kids. “Didn’t we make a solid deal? I will come to see you on weekends, and we’re going to be good to Daddy Joe.”
Thomas wrapped the boys in a tight hug, swallowing his tears. “Now come on; Joe’s waiting,” he said, trying to pull away, but the children held onto him even tighter.
Joe had never liked Thomas. In fact, he would’ve done anything to have his kids back. But at that moment, something in his heart shifted. He looked at Thomas and the boys and couldn’t stop himself from joining them.
“You were right all along, Thomas,” he said, hugging them and shaking his head. “We should not fight for the children but for their sake.” After that, Joe helped Thomas carry the boys’ bags back into the house.
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If you enjoyed this story, you might like this one about a woman who adopted her late best friend’s son despite being a single mother of four kids. But 13 years later, the boy’s birth father showed up on her doorstep to take him away.
This piece is inspired by stories from the everyday lives of our readers and written by a professional writer. Any resemblance to actual names or locations is purely coincidental. All images are for illustration purposes only. Share your story with us; maybe it will change someone’s life.
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