Dear Papa Joe,
I just want to share my situation because I am confused and almost going crazy. I am 33 years old, married for five years, and we have one child. We currently live in my grandmother's house. Since a fire in 2018, I have been the one spending the most on the house. But my wife wants to move out and rent a place because she doesn't like living there. However, I want to stay so I can take care of my 64-year-old sick mother and my 97-year-old grandmother, who have no one else to look after them. Is it wrong for me to support my wife, child, mother, and grandmother all together? I have a stable income, enough to feed our family three times a day and even have snacks at Jollibee. Every Sunday, we go to church and visit SM Seaside. But my wife is not content and insists on moving out. Am I wrong? Please advise.
Dong
Papa Joe's Advice
Dong, you are not wrong for wanting to take care of your mother and grandmother. It is not easy being the only one trusted to care for two elderly individuals with health issues. That feeling of wanting them close while they are still alive is a sign of a loving son and grandson. Many people today abandon their parents, but you still understand your obligations and love.
However, try to understand your wife. Maybe it is not about being discontent with your life. Perhaps she is tired of the current living situation and wants a place where it is just your family, so she can feel like the queen of her own home. Women often seek peace of mind, privacy, and a sense of having their own household, not just money. Do not make her feel like an opponent. Talk to her gently and find a compromise.
