My mom who was instrumental in everything from my teenage years to my wedding, decided that despite the millions of men around, she just had to have my husband. Here’s what happened: I’ve been happily married to Matt for eight years — or so I thought. We have two daughters and live a pretty relaxed family life. Now, my mom, Mona, lives about twenty minutes away. I just loved the idea of having her so close because, growing up, it had always been the two of us. Mom’s a single lady who is all about looking much younger than she is. I’ll credit her skincare routine because she does not look her age at all.

I thought it would be a win-win situation — the kids would be entertained, and Matt wouldn’t be bothered by them while working. So, I’d come home every day, and while I cooked, Mom would sit at the counter and tell me what she and the kids got up to that day. But for weeks, all she would say to me was how lazy Matt was. “He sits behind his computer for hours. And then, when he’s not doing that, he’s watching TV. He doesn’t even come to check on the kids and me, to see if we’re okay or if he can join in.” “Mom, that’s just how he works. He takes a break in between the writing,” I said. “No, it’s more. He’s lousy.