**Diary Entry**
My husband Oliver’s parents seem to think I ought to hand over my entire salary to them. Ollie has tried reasoning with them more than once, but they won’t listen. They’re convinced that because I’m part of their family now, I should share everything I earn. The pressure started almost as soon as we married, and now I’m at a loss for how to keep the peace without surrendering all I’ve worked for.
Ollie and I have been married two years. We met at university, fell in love, and decided to tie the knot after a few years. He’s kind, attentive, always there when I need him—but his parents, Margaret and Geoffrey, were wary of me from the start. I thought it was just adjustment—after all, I was a stranger, and Oliver is their only son. Over time, though, their attitude began to wear on me.
Moving into their house to save on rent seemed practical at the time. We’d dreamed of saving for our own flat, and staying with them felt like a sensible step. I’m an office administrator; Ollie’s an engineer at a factory. Neither of us earns a fortune, but we manage. We agreed to set aside some for the future while covering essentials. His parents claimed to support this—until they didn’t.
One evening over supper, Margaret remarked, “Emily, you’re part of this family now. You ought to contribute properly. We’re not here to bankroll you.” I was puzzled—we bought groceries, paid utilities, and I helped with cooking and cleaning. But she made it clear that wasn’t enough. “You earn a wage, so hand it over like the rest of us,” she added. “Geoffrey and I did the same, and it worked just fine.”
I tried explaining our plans to save for a flat, but she brushed me off. “Why bother? There’s plenty of space here.” Geoffrey stayed quiet, but his silence spoke volumes. After that, I felt like an unwelcome guest. I didn’t mind helping, but my whole salary? That was too much.
Oliver stood by me. He argued with them, insisting we were adults who could manage our own money. But Margaret only grew sharper: “Are you turning your back on family? We raised you, and now you’re throwing it in our faces?” It crushed him—he loves them and hates conflict. Yet the pressure didn’t let up. They scrutinised my spending, scolding me for buying a jumper or cosmetics. “Wasteful,” Margaret would say. “That money should go into the household.”
Guilt gnawed at me. Maybe they were right—perhaps I *should* give more. But then I remembered how hard I’d worked for this job, the late nights studying. Why should I abandon my dreams for their expectations? Ollie and I began bickering—not from lack of love, but exhaustion. He couldn’t sway them, and I refused to be the wedge driving them apart.
One night, I finally snapped. “Maybe we should move out,” I said. “Even if it’s just a tiny flat, even if we pinch pennies—at least I won’t feel like I owe them my soul.” Oliver agreed, though he feared hurting his parents. They’d sacrificed for him, and in their eyes, he owed them. But why should *I* be the one to pay that debt?
We confronted them together. Mustering courage, I said, “Margaret, Geoffrey, we’re grateful for your hospitality. But we need to build our own life. I can’t give up my wages—we have our own goals. Let’s agree on fair rent, and leave it at that.” They listened coldly. “Do as you please,” Margaret replied. “But family doesn’t keep score like this.”
After that, the air turned frostier. I started flat-hunting, though money’s tight. Ollie stands with me, but I see the toll it takes—torn between us and them. I never wanted him to choose, but living under their thumb is suffocating.
This whole mess has made me question what family truly means. I always believed it meant support, not surrender. I’m thankful for all they’ve done for Oliver, but I won’t sacrifice our future for their pride. We’ve agreed to find a way—a cheap let, a shared house, anything. So long as we keep what matters: each other.
I hope, in time, they’ll understand. Maybe they’re just afraid of losing him, of being alone. I bear no grudge—but respect must go both ways. For now, I’m learning to hold my ground, trusting that Ollie and I will find our way through.
**Lesson:** Love shouldn’t come with a price tag—not even family’s.
