“Masha filed for divorce four years ago. Along with her daughter in her arms, she found herself burdened with a pile of debts. She couldn’t find a job.
Eventually, she managed to legally obtain a portion of her husband’s property and requested child support.
With the money she received, she bought a small one-bedroom apartment and enrolled her daughter in daycare.
Throughout these tough years, there was only one person by her side – her mother.
She was willing to help with anything that was needed. One could say she took full responsibility for raising her granddaughter.
‘There were even colleagues who were envious,’ Masha said. ‘One of them outright told me that the child had become a burden to her because her mother and mother-in-law refused to take care of their granddaughter, even for an evening.’
Masha was very grateful to her mother but never abused her assistance.
A few months ago, Masha met Anton. He got a job in their office, was attentive, polite, and very interesting.
One day, Masha talked to her mother about him, and that’s when trouble began.
‘Have you lost your mind?’ her mother exclaimed. ‘Wasn’t one idiot enough for you? Why do you need this?
Live in peace! Focus on your daughter! She doesn’t see you 24/7 anyway.’ Her mother didn’t even know Anton yet. Masha hadn’t had the chance to introduce them.
Her mother assumed that no one would willingly accept a divorced woman with a child as a partner.
‘Mom, aren’t you ashamed?’ Masha asked. ‘No. Does he have his own apartment? No? Well, there you go! He just needs a place to live.’
Masha tried to explain that he rented a nice apartment near his workplace and didn’t consider buying his own property necessary at the moment.
‘You should have introduced him to your daughter. Then you would know if he really cares or not.
Who’s right in this story? Whose position do you feel closer to? What advice would you give Maria in this situation?'”
