Rie, her husband Tsuyoshi, and their two children Sakura and Haruto were living together. Tsuyoshi moved in with his in-laws to support his mother-in-law after his father-in-law passed away five years ago. However, after his mother-in-law’s death, the children’s reaction to Tsuyoshi coming home was unexpectedly cold. Rie and Tsuyoshi decided to think more about their children’s feelings. The children, now in middle and high school, felt neglected by their father who always put their grandmother first. Tsuyoshi realized he failed as a father and felt regretful. They realized the importance of considering their children’s emotions and decided to do better in the future.
Continuing from last time. I (Rie) lived with my husband (Tsuyoshi) and our two children (Sakura and Haruto). Five years ago, my father-in-law passed away, and Tsuyoshi started living with his mother-in-law to support her. It was a choice to protect the family. However, when his mother-in-law passed away, the reaction of Tsuyoshi’s children who returned home was unexpectedly cold. Wanting to improve the deteriorating atmosphere at home, I consulted a friend. This time, my husband and I want to think more about our children’s feelings.
Sakura and Haruto, who were in elementary school five years ago, are now in junior high and high school. During this time, their father, Tsuyoshi, was absent. The last sports day, entrance ceremony, important matches… “I made Rie and the kids endure… always putting my mother first. When I finally spent time with the kids… they were no longer the age to go to the amusement park together like before… Father who doesn’t call… is ‘Dad’ unconditionally…”
“‘For the sake of the family, I supported my mother alone’… saying that, but in the end, I couldn’t protect my children’s feelings, which are the most important.” He’s a good son, but as a father, he’s incompetent.”
Tsuyoshi had tears in his eyes, showing his regret. But I should have spoken more strongly to Tsuyoshi. I saw with my own eyes how lonely the children were feeling…
Tsuyoshi thought about his own thoughts without talking to me. Taking care of family is difficult. Not everyone can enter a facility immediately, and even if a biological child is in supporting mode, the burden on the family increases. We don’t know what the right answer is, and each time we need to discuss as a family to find our own answers. However, our family didn’t participate in such discussions. Instead, Tsuyoshi and I prioritized our own feelings and couldn’t protect the important feelings of our children. This time, we want to be more considerate of our children’s feelings and not repeat the same mistakes.
To be continued in [Episode 9].
Original concept: MamaStar Community Script: Tae Watanabe Illustration: Kayo Nekota Printmaking: Teruko Ii