My son Andrei got married five years ago. My daughter-in-law Natasha is a very slim and well-mannered girl. In five years, she has given birth to two wonderful grandchildren.
At first, I didn’t think about it at all. Andrei and Natasha lived in the city, and we lived in the village. When we came to visit them, for some reason, there were always only vegetables and fruits on the table. But I thought Natasha just didn’t have time to cook anything. We always came to visit empty-handed. Since we live in a village, we brought meat, vegetables, and fruits. Of course, we also brought various pickles and jams.
When I visited, I always fried cutlets and baked pies. The fact that my daughter-in-law had never eaten meatballs didn’t really surprise me. I just didn’t pay attention. I thought maybe Natasha was following some kind of diet. But Natasha didn’t forbid her grandchildren to eat cutlets, and everything was fine.
And then we came for the birthday of the younger grandson. And on the table, there were only salads and fruits.
Is this a festive table? Why didn’t you cook meat? What will you feed your children? I asked my daughter-in-law.
And Natasha suddenly told me:
“I’ve wanted to tell you for a long time not to bring us meat. We don’t eat meat. We are vegetarians!” I was very upset when I heard that!
What is my daughter-in-law doing? After all, boys need to eat meat! They are growing!
I wonder where she put the meat we brought them? Did she throw it away?
I told Natasha:
“You can eat whatever you want! But you must feed your son and your children meat! Why are you starving them? Otherwise, I will take your children!”
“Try it! I won’t give them to you!”
“I will call child protective services and tell them how you are mistreating the children!” I threatened my daughter-in-law.
But I really don’t know what to do. After all, if the children are taken away from Natasha, nothing good will happen. After all, my husband and I are already old, we have a large farm. There is no kindergarten in our village. Who will take care of the children?
I don’t know how to explain to my daughter-in-law that children grow up and need to be well-fed.
I don’t know what to do. Maybe it would be better for our son to divorce Natasha and take the children with him?
