“My Dad Decided to Retire and Live Off Me, Ignoring That I’m on Maternity Leave”

When my dad announced his retirement, I was happy for him. After all, he had worked tirelessly for decades and deserved some rest. However, I never anticipated the burden that would soon fall on my shoulders. My dad decided that I would cover his daily expenses while he saved his pension for a “rainy day.” Now, everything falls on me: paying for utilities, groceries, and more.

I had just given birth to my first child and was on maternity leave. My husband and I had budgeted carefully to ensure we could manage on a single income during this period. We had some savings, but they were meant for emergencies or unexpected expenses related to the baby. Little did I know that my dad’s decision would turn our careful planning upside down.

It all started innocently enough. My dad mentioned that he was having trouble making ends meet with his pension alone. He asked if I could help out with a few bills until he got back on his feet. Of course, I agreed. He’s my dad, and I couldn’t bear the thought of him struggling. But what began as a temporary arrangement quickly became a permanent expectation.

Every month, my dad would hand me a list of his expenses: utilities, groceries, medical bills, and even his cable subscription. At first, I tried to manage it all without complaining. I cut back on non-essential items and dipped into our savings to cover the extra costs. But as the months went by, it became clear that this was not sustainable.

I tried talking to my dad about it, explaining that we were struggling too. But he brushed off my concerns, insisting that he needed to save his pension for emergencies. “You never know what might happen,” he would say. “It’s better to be prepared.” Meanwhile, my husband and I were living paycheck to paycheck, with no room for any unexpected expenses.

The stress began to take a toll on our relationship. My husband was frustrated that we were supporting my dad while trying to raise our own child on a single income. We argued more frequently, and the joy of our new parenthood was overshadowed by financial worries. I felt trapped between my loyalty to my dad and my responsibility to my own family.

One day, I reached my breaking point. My dad had asked me to cover an expensive dental procedure that he needed. It was more than we could afford, and I knew we couldn’t keep going like this. I sat down with him and tried to explain our situation once again. But he remained adamant, insisting that he couldn’t touch his pension.

Feeling desperate, I sought advice from friends and even consulted a financial advisor. They all suggested the same thing: my dad needed to use his pension for his own expenses. But convincing him was another matter entirely.

As the months turned into a year, our financial situation worsened. We had to take out a loan to cover some of the costs, and our savings were nearly depleted. The stress affected my health, and I found myself constantly anxious and overwhelmed.

In the end, there was no happy resolution. My dad continued to save his pension while relying on us for support. Our relationship became strained, and the joy of my maternity leave was marred by constant worry and financial strain. I learned a hard lesson about boundaries and the importance of standing up for my own needs.