I closed the door gently behind my son and his wife that night and slid their spare keys into my pocket. The apartment fell silent, and for the first time in weeks, I felt I could breathe again. Asking them to leave was not something I ever imagined doing, but I had reached a point where kindness had turned into exhaustion. A week has passed since then, and I don’t regret my decision. Sometimes love means knowing when to draw a line.It had started innocently enough. One evening, after a long day at work, I walked into my flat and found them sitting comfortably at my dining table as if they had always been there. My son greeted me cheerfully, explaining that they had “popped by for a little while.”
Only later did I learn they had lost their apartment after failing to keep up with rent. I was disappointed but couldn’t turn them away. He promised it would be for just one week, and I believed him. I told myself it was temporary, that family helps family. I had no idea how quickly one week could stretch into many.As days passed, they settled in without urgency to move on. My son stopped mentioning new housing plans, and his wife treated my home as though it were hers alone. She didn’t work, rarely helped around the house, and spent her days socializing or watching television.
I came home every evening to untidy rooms, unpaid contributions, and noise that made rest impossible. I tried gentle suggestions, hoping encouragement would help, but my words were met with dismissive replies. I stayed quiet, reminding myself that he was my child and patience was part of motherhood. Still, resentment quietly grew in the corners of my mind.The final moment came one Friday night. I returned home weary, only to find them laughing loudly in front of the television, oblivious to my need for rest before another early morning. When I asked for quiet, my request was brushed aside. Something in me finally shifted.
Calmly, firmly, I told them it was time to leave and that I could no longer offer my home as their solution. There were protests and disbelief, but I stood my ground. Within an hour, their belongings were packed, and they walked out the door. I wished them well and closed it behind them, reclaiming my space.I don’t know where they went, but I trust they will find their way. My home is peaceful again, and I have rediscovered something important — my dignity. I love my son, and I always will, but love does not require sacrificing one’s well-being. I am not just a mother; I am a woman who has earned the right to comfort, respect, and tranquility in her own home.