She has four sons and two daughters and has spent her entire life working the fields, saving every penny to build a house and buy land. When her husband passed away, the couple owned about 20,000 square meters of farmland and a small garden. Most of her children had already received their shares, except for her youngest son, whom she lives with.
But then she unexpectedly decided to transfer her youngest son’s share of the family land to his wife and son instead, sparking accusations from relatives that she loved her daughter-in-law more than her own son.
She did not directly respond to the speculation and only said: “He is my son, but I do not trust him.”
It was not that she rejected her son. She simply knew his nature, as he had enjoyed drinking, gambling, and cockfighting a little too much since he was young. If she left the property to him, she would only be enabling his vices.
My aunt recalled how, when she was young, her family had kicked her brother’s wife out after his death.
“Since then, I have always felt sad seeing women left empty-handed,” she said. “I pity my daughter-in-law because I know marrying my son means hardship for her. She joined our family, treated her husband’s parents like her own, yet when it comes to dividing property, no one ever thinks of her.”
Her story makes me think of families where parents entrusted their sons with early inheritance, only for the property to be sold off and squandered on gambling and alcohol. In such cases, the parents can end up homeless in old age.
I believe my aunt’s decision reflects a lifetime of wisdom and experience. Sometimes, the one who keeps the family together is not a biological child but a daughter-in-law who knows how to sacrifice and endure.
This is something many mothers-in-law fail to see. Even though they are women, wives and daughters-in-law themselves, they often make life difficult for their sons’ spouses, let alone trusting them with property.
*This opinion was translated into English with the assistance of AI. Readers’ views are personal and do not necessarily match VnExpress’ viewpoints.
