“I Just Don’t Know What to Do”: My Son is Still in College but Wants to Get Married and Move In with Us

Life as a single mother is never easy, and for me, it has been a constant struggle. My name is Eliana, and I am raising my two sons, Aaron and Sean, on my own. We live in a modest two-bedroom apartment in a bustling city. Every day is a balancing act of managing work, household chores, and ensuring my boys have everything they need.

Aaron, my eldest, is 21 and currently in his third year of college. He’s always been a responsible and hardworking young man, juggling part-time jobs and his studies to help ease our financial burden. Sean, on the other hand, is 16 and still in high school. He’s a bright kid with dreams of becoming an engineer someday.

Despite the challenges, we’ve managed to get by with the little we have. My parents, though not wealthy themselves, have been a lifeline, offering financial support whenever they can. But even with their help, making ends meet is a constant struggle.

A few months ago, Aaron dropped a bombshell on me. He had met someone special, Camila, and they had decided to get married. At first, I was taken aback. Aaron is still so young and has so much ahead of him. I couldn’t understand why he would want to take such a big step so soon.

“Aaron,” I said one evening as we sat at the kitchen table, “are you sure about this? You’re still in college, and you have so much to focus on right now.”

“Mom,” he replied, his eyes filled with determination, “I love Camila. We’ve thought this through, and we want to be together. We can make it work.”

I wanted to be supportive, but the reality of our situation weighed heavily on my mind. Our apartment was already cramped with just the three of us. Adding another person to the mix seemed impossible.

“Where will you live?” I asked, hoping he had a plan.

“That’s the thing,” Aaron said hesitantly. “We were hoping we could move in here for a while until we save enough to get our own place.”

My heart sank. As much as I wanted to help my son, the thought of four people living in our tiny apartment was overwhelming. We barely had enough space as it was.

“Aaron,” I began gently, “I understand you love Camila, but we simply don’t have the room. It’s already hard enough to make ends meet.”

“I know it’s not ideal,” he admitted, “but we’ll make it work. Camila can help out with expenses, and I’ll continue working part-time.”

I could see the determination in his eyes, but I also saw the naivety of youth. Life had taught me that love alone couldn’t solve all problems. Practicality and planning were just as important.

Days turned into weeks as Aaron and Camila continued their plans for the future. They were determined to make it work, but the strain on our living situation became more apparent with each passing day. Sean started to feel the pressure too. He needed space to study and focus on his schoolwork, but our small apartment offered little privacy.

One evening, after another heated discussion about living arrangements, I found myself alone in the kitchen, tears streaming down my face. I felt torn between supporting my son’s dreams and facing the harsh reality of our circumstances.

As time went on, tensions grew within our household. Aaron and Camila’s relationship began to show signs of strain under the weight of financial stress and cramped living conditions. Sean’s grades started to slip as he struggled to find a quiet place to study.

In the end, Aaron and Camila decided to postpone their wedding plans indefinitely. They realized that love alone couldn’t overcome the practical challenges we faced. It was a difficult decision for them, but it was necessary for everyone’s well-being.

Life continued its relentless march forward. We remained in our small apartment, still struggling but holding onto hope for better days ahead. Aaron focused on finishing his degree, while Sean worked hard to improve his grades.

As a mother, I wished I could have provided more for my sons and supported their dreams without hesitation. But sometimes life forces us to make tough choices and face harsh realities.