Serenity was unhappy that Zachary wasn’t taking proper care of her. Some mothers-in-law couldn’t tolerate their sons helping with household chores; they believed that daughters-in-law should handle everything. They wanted their sons, their flesh and blood, to avoid exhaustion. As mothers-in-law, they expected their daughters-in-law to manage both childcare and housework.
Conversely, mothers whose sons-in-law participated in household tasks felt their daughters had made a good match. If the roles were reversed and their sons took on domestic duties, these women would complain about their lazy daughters-in-law, lamenting that their sons had married someone who was poorly raised.
Serenity had gained insights into the dynamics between mothers-in-law and daughters-in-law from her sister’s failed marriage and was concerned she might face similar challenges.
“It’s alright. Please go and open the gate for your mother-in-law,” she said.
“Will your mom hold me responsible for not relieving you of household chores? Will she expect you to do nothing while I do all the work?” Zachary replied, “I don’t think so. We’ve only been married for three months, and you’ve only met my mom once or twice. There shouldn’t be any issues between you two.”
His family, consisting only of sons, had been taught by Nana to treat all the women at home with kindness. Growing up, Dad frequently told him that since Mom was the only woman in the family, they should love, care for, and protect her together. Therefore, he believed Mom shouldn’t mind him being in the kitchen, especially since Dad often cooked for her.
“You’re not even sure about that. You should open the gate,” Serenity insisted, pulling the apron off Zachary.
“Seren,” he said, gently grasping her hand.
He said, “You don’t have to worry about what my mom thinks of you. We’re the ones in this marriage, and we decide how to run our household. If she says anything to you, I’ll handle it.”
There was no reason for his mother to receive his father’s undivided attention and care if Serenity did not.
As the husband, Zachary was more than happy to prepare dinner for his wife.
It was nobody else’s place to interfere with that.
“Now go on out there. Don’t keep my mom waiting.”
Zachary leaned down to kiss her cheek. “Don’t worry. I’m here for you.”