A WOMAN OF TWO CHILDREN AT CROSSROADS, WONDERING.

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AM I WRONG FOR LEAVING MY HUSBAND'S FAMILY HOUSE?

I am a mother of two children, and I need advice from married people, especially women who have experienced something similar.

I have been married to my husband for some time now, but things have never been easy. My husband is a bricklayer, and apart from the period he travelled to Kano for work, he has always lived in his family house.

Since we got married, we have all been cooking together in the family house. Unfortunately, I am the one who does almost everything. I cook, fetch water, and take care of other household chores, even though my sisters-in-law are also living there.

The painful part is that my mother-in-law hardly asks them to do anything. Whenever she needs something done, she sends me instead.

Yesterday, I was seriously unwell, and there was no water in the house. My mother-in-law had bought ingredients to prepare food, and my sisters-in-law were at home. Instead of allowing them to help, she told me to manage my health and do what needed to be done.

I explained that I wasn't feeling well, so my sisters-in-law eventually prepared the food. But to my greatest shock, they refused to give me or my children any food! 😭

As a mother, I couldn't bear watching my children go hungry. Despite my condition, I managed to go to the bus stop and buy beans and bread for them.

When I returned, I discovered that my mother-in-law had locked my door! She told me that since she built her house with her own money, she had every right to decide who could stay in it. She even questioned how I could have the audacity to sleep in her house.

I called my husband, who was away for work, hoping he would listen to me and help resolve the matter. But instead of speaking to his mother or asking what really happened, he started blaming me!

At that moment, I felt completely alone. 💔 I began asking myself whether I was truly married or simply a stranger living in a house where I had no peace, no support, and apparently no right to be unwell.

I eventually returned to my parents' house, and right now, I have no plans to return to that family house. I have decided to collect my belongings and rent a self-contained room for myself and my children.

I am currently doing a small fruit business, and although money is not easy to come by, I have managed to save something towards renting a place of my own.

My question is: AM I WRONG FOR CHOOSING PEACE OVER SUFFERING, EVEN IF IT MEANS STARTING LIFE ALL OVER AGAIN WITH MY TWO CHILDREN?

Please, I need sincere advice