I am currently raising my 5-year-old son, Taiki. My husband often works on weekends, so he can’t participate much in childcare. Both of our families live far away, so I sometimes feel lonely spending weekends with Taiki. However, as Taiki grows up, we can enjoy casual holidays together. My husband’s sister, Mio, gave birth to her first child, Sho, and my husband and Mio are on good terms. Although we rarely interact, my husband often contacts Mio. I don’t have much contact with Mio, and I was surprised when my husband asked me to take care of Sho. I realize this is out of the question and must refuse.
I am currently raising my 5-year-old son, Taiki. My husband often works on weekends, so he can’t participate much in childcare. On the other hand, both of our parents live at a distance that requires taking the bullet train or airplane, so there are times when I feel lonely spending weekends with Taiki alone. But as my son has grown, our range of activities has expanded, and now we are able to enjoy casual holidays just the two of us.
My husband has a younger sister named Mio, who lives about an hour away from our home. Mio gave birth to her first child, Sho, two years ago. We only see Mio and her family during long holidays like New Year’s and Obon, and we don’t have much interaction otherwise. However, my husband and Mio get along relatively well, and they often contact each other.
I have exchanged contact information with Mio, but we have not had direct interaction so far. I talk to her when we meet at the in-law’s house, but beyond that, we don’t have much of a relationship. There hasn’t been a need for it, and I haven’t had any complaints. I used to get all the information about Mio and her family through my husband.
When the children are young, I hardly ever get to go out alone. So when I heard from my husband that Mio was going to a friend’s wedding, I simply thought, “It will be a good change of pace.” Being at home all the time and spending every day with the children can lack freshness. However…
“Right? That’s why I want to let her go,” my husband said happily. (“Let her go…?”)
The reason for my discomfort is this! I was foolish to expect when asked about our plans for the weekend. Babysit Mio’s child? I hardly have a relationship with Mio, let alone suddenly taking care of her nephew Sho! Even if she is a relative, I am not open-hearted enough to take care of someone else’s 2-year-old child, especially when I hardly ever see them. It seems like my only option this time is to refuse.
To be continued in Part 2.
Original Article: Mamasta Community; Script: Tama Watanabe; Artwork: Yoshida; Editing: Natsu