My heart broke hearing this, but Mark and I reassured Ethan that love, not money, defines a family. We told him we’d no longer have my mom pick him up, needing a break from her negativity.
The next day, I confronted my mom. She dismissed her words as “honest” but didn’t understand the harm. Mark and I decided to cut her off for good, telling her to leave. Ethan is thriving now, and though it’s tough without my mom, I know it was the right choice.
My advice: Protect your kids, even if it means distancing from family. The holidays should be about love, not stress. Do what’s best for your family.
