Sunlight shines through the curtains and shines on the cosy cottage. Li Xiaofen, a gentle and considerate pregnant woman, was sitting on the sofa, stroking her gradually bulging abdomen with her hands, her face full of maternal brilliance. Her husband, Zhang Ming, a hard-working IT engineer, brought a cup of hot milk from the kitchen and whispered to her, "Xiaofen, drink some milk, it's good for the baby." ”
Li Xiaofen took the milk with a smile, her heart full of gratitude. She knew that after she became pregnant, she decided to quit her job and concentrate on raising a baby at home, and this decision was fully supported by Zhang Ming. However, this tranquility and happiness quietly changed after the arrival of her mother-in-law Wang Lijuan.
Wang Lijuan is a traditional woman who believes that women should have their own jobs and should do housework even at home, instead of being idle all day. She looked at Li Xiaofen's leisurely appearance, and couldn't help but feel a little dissatisfied. One day at dinner, Wang Lijuan finally couldn't help but speak: "Xiaofen, you don't go to work now, it's better to take advantage of this time to learn to cook, so as to prepare for the future." ”
Li Xiaofen didn't expect her mother-in-law to make such a request, she smiled awkwardly and did not respond directly. Zhang Ming noticed the subtlety of the atmosphere and hurriedly played a round: "Mom, Xiaofen's most important task now is to have a good rest and create a healthy environment for the baby." Let's talk about cooking later. ”
Although Zhang Ming tried to ease the atmosphere, Wang Lijuan was still a little unhappy in her heart. She felt that her daughter-in-law Li Xiaofen was too squeamish and couldn't even do basic housework, how to take care of her children and family in the future. And Li Xiaofen also felt her mother-in-law's dissatisfaction, she began to bear the pressure silently in her heart, not knowing what to do.
One night, Wang Lijuan was watching TV in the living room, and when she saw that the pregnant woman in the play was still busy working, she couldn't help sighing, turned her head to Zhang Ming, who was working in the study, and said, "Ming'er, look at people, they are still so hardworking when they are pregnant." Xiaofen now knows that sitting all day is not good for her and the baby. ”
Zhang Ming frowned, put down the pen in his hand, and said to his mother seriously: "Mom, everyone's situation is different. Xiaofen quit her job so that she could rest better, and the doctor also said that she needed to reduce her stress. We should respect her choice. ”
Wang Lijuan snorted disappreciatively: "Respect? I'm doing it for her good. Women can't rely too much on others and learn to be independent. Zhang Ming knew his mother's stubbornness, so he didn't argue anymore, but silently hoped that Xiaofen would not be affected too much.
However, Wang Lijuan did not stop there. She began to remind Li Xiaofen from time to time in her daily life, asking her to learn to do housework, and even hinted that she should go out and find an easy job. Li Xiaofen felt unprecedented pressure, and she began to wonder if she had made the right choice and whether she had really become a burden on her family.
As time passed, Wang Lijuan's attitude became more and more obvious, not only did she frequently mention Li Xiaofen's "idleness" in words, but also began to take the initiative to teach Li Xiaofen some housework skills. Whenever Li Xiaofen tried to complete it, she could always find many shortcomings, which made Li Xiaofen feel frustrated.
One night, the atmosphere at home was particularly tense. Wang Lijuan brought up this topic again at the dinner table, and her tone was undoubtedly firm: "Xiaofen, you always have to think about this family." If you don't work now, you have to at least learn how to do housework, otherwise what will you do in the future? ”
Li Xiaofen's face turned pale, her hand clutched the napkin tightly, and her voice was weak: "Mom, I've done my best." And in my current condition, the doctor advised me to rest more. ”
Wang Lijuan refused to give in: "Do your best? What I see is doing nothing all day. If you go on like this, it's not good for yourself and your baby. ”
At this time, Zhang Ming finally couldn't bear it anymore, he stood up, and said to his mother in a resolute tone: "Mom, Xiaofen has been working hard. Her physical condition did not allow her to do much. We should understand and support her. ”
Wang Lijuan was stunned for a moment, and then said angrily: "Are you two working together to deal with me?" Am I not doing this for your own good? ”
Zhang Ming tried to explain: "Mom, we know that you are for our good, but the way may need to change. What Xiaofen needs most now is rest and peace of mind. ”
But Wang Lijuan could no longer listen to any explanation, and she firmly believed that her idea was correct. A hint of despair flashed in Li Xiaofen's eyes, and she felt that she was becoming more and more isolated in this home. After dinner, she silently returned to her room, tears rolling in her eyes. She began to wonder if this kind of life was really what she wanted, and if there was any point in going on.
After that night, the atmosphere in the house became even more dreary. Li Xiaofen tried to avoid contact with Wang Lijuan to avoid another conflict. Zhang Ming was caught in the middle, torn between a dilemma, he neither wanted to hurt his mother's feelings, nor did he want to see his wife wronged.
One afternoon, Zhang Ming went home early and found Li Xiaofen sitting on the balcony secretly wiping away tears. His heart jerked up, and he walked over and hugged her gently: "Xiaofen, I'm sorry, I failed to protect you." ”
Li Xiaofen shook her head: "It's not your fault, it's that I'm too useless." ”
Zhang Ming clasped her hand: "No, you have made a lot of sacrifices for our baby. I'll talk to my mom and make her understand you. ”
That night, Zhang Ming mustered up the courage to have an in-depth exchange with his mother. He explained in detail Li Xiaofen's physical condition and psychological burden, as well as her efforts and sacrifices for the sake of her family. Wang Lijuan listened to her son's words, and the anger on her face gradually subsided, replaced by a complex emotion.
"I'm really just doing it for your own good." Wang Lijuan's voice trembled a little.
Zhang Ming held his mother's hand: "Mom, we know." But your approach can be stressful. What Xiaofen needs most now is support and understanding. ”
Wang Lijuan was silent for a while, and then sighed: "Maybe I'm really going too far." I'll try to change. ”
The next day, Wang Lijuan took the initiative to find Li Xiaofen, and her tone softened a lot: "Xiaofen, Ming'er talked to me last night." I think I might really misunderstand you. The most important thing for you now is to rest well and not worry too much about other things. ”
Li Xiaofen looked at her mother-in-law in surprise, and a trace of gratitude flashed in her eyes: "Thank you, Mom." ”
Since then, Wang Lijuan has stopped asking Li Xiaofen to do housework or find a job. She began to try to think from Li Xiaofen's point of view, and the atmosphere in the home gradually became harmonious. However, all this change came a little late, because a seed of doubt had been planted in Li Xiaofen's heart - is such a family environment really suitable for her and the upcoming new life?
Although the atmosphere in the home has improved, the doubts in Li Xiaofen's heart have not completely dissipated. She began to reflect on her life choices, whether she should continue to stay here, or whether she should seek a lifestyle that suited her better.
One night, Zhang Ming found Li Xiaofen rummaging through some parenting books and job recruitment materials in her room. He walked over and asked softly, "Xiaofen, what are you thinking about?" ”
Li Xiaofen raised her head, with indescribably complex emotions in her eyes: "I'm wondering if I'm really suitable for this kind of life." I don't want our children to be born in a stressful environment. ”
Zhang Ming sat down and looked at his wife seriously: "We can find a solution to the problem together." If you feel that your current life makes you unhappy, we can change it together. ”
Li Xiaofen shook her head: "I know, but we can't escape the problem." We need to face it. ”
Zhang Ming held her hand: "Then let's face it." I will support any decision you make. ”
In the days that followed, Zhang Ming and Li Xiaofen had many in-depth conversations. They discussed various possibilities, including moving, hiring a nanny to help, and even Li Xiaofen temporarily returning to her parents' home to recuperate. Each option has its pros and cons, but they are all struggling to find the best solution for the whole family.
Eventually, they decided to settle a compromise: hire an hourly worker to help with household chores, while Zhang Ming applied for more flexible working hours so that he could spend more time with Ms. Li. Although this decision requires some financial adjustments, the cost is worth it for maintaining family harmony and happiness.
Through this experience, the relationship between Zhang Ming and Li Xiaofen became stronger. They learned how to communicate and support each other better, and learned that the true meaning of family harmony is not just to avoid conflict, but to face difficulties together and find solutions to problems. And for the new life that is coming, they are also full of expectations and hopes.
With the arrival of part-time workers and the adjustment of Zhang Ming's working hours, the atmosphere at home has improved significantly. Li Xiaofen no longer worries about household chores, and she has more time and energy to prepare for the arrival of a new life. At the same time, Wang Lijuan also began to gradually accept this new arrangement, and she realized that her previous approach may indeed have brought a lot of pressure to her daughter-in-law.
One afternoon, when Wang Lijuan was helping to prepare dinner in the kitchen, Li Xiaofen walked in. Seeing her mother-in-law's busy figure, a warm current surged in Li Xiaofen's heart: "Mom, let me come, you go and rest for a while." ”
Wang Lijuan waved her hand: "No, no, no, I can still move." You go watch TV and relax. But her tone was less stern than before, and a little more gentle.
Li Xiaofen walked over with a smile and hugged Wang Lijuan gently: "Thank you, Mom." ”
At that moment, all the unpleasantness seemed to vanish. Wang Lijuan was stunned for a moment, then smiled as well, and hugged Li Xiaofen back: "Silly child." ”
At dinner, the family sat around in a very warm atmosphere. Zhang Ming looked at his wife and mother living in harmony, and his heart was full of gratitude. He knows that all these changes will not come easily, but he believes that as long as the family can understand and support each other, any difficulties can be overcome.
Since that day, Wang Lijuan has never mentioned letting Li Xiaofen do housework or find a job. She began to really enjoy the role of preparing to be a grandmother and helping out in other ways in any way she could. And Li Xiaofen has also become more confident and happy with the support of her mother-in-law.
Home, once again, has become a place of love and warmth.
As the due date approaches, the atmosphere at home becomes more anticipatory and exciting. Zhang Ming took paternity leave and accompanied Li Xiaofen throughout the process. Wang Lijuan is also fully prepared and waiting for the arrival of her grandson or granddaughter at any time.
Early one morning, Li Xiaofen felt regular contractions, which meant that a new life was about to be born. Zhang Ming nervously and excitedly drove her to the hospital. Wang Lijuan waited anxiously at home, praying from time to time that everything would go well.
After hours of hard work, a baby's cry shattered the silence of the hospital. Zhang Ming was so excited that he almost jumped up, and he held Li Xiaofen's hand tightly: "Xiaofen, our child is here!" ”
Although Li Xiaofen was tired, her face was filled with the unique brilliance of her mother: "It's a girl." ”
A few days later, when Zhang Ming and Li Xiaofen returned home with their newborn daughter, Wang Lijuan had everything ready. She took the child with a loving face: "Welcome home, my little princess." ”
The house was filled with laughter. The arrival of a new life not only brought joy, but also deepened the bonds of the family. Zhang Ming looked at his wife, mother and daughter, and his heart was full of gratitude and happiness. All the hardships and challenges seem to have paid off in this moment.