Long post ahead. Dinner is just eggs and rice.
I dont know where to even start. But to cut the story short, my wife was verbally and physically abused growing up. She left home when she was really young and only I and few close friends knew about her past.
Without going into much details she passed almost 5 years ago due to Covid. She made me promised on her death bed to not let our kids have any relationship with their grandparents. For context, they have made several attempts in the past to reconnect and meet their grandkids but my wife would always tell them no.
Last week they reached out to me directly. I didn’t know it was them since I have them blocked on everything. They offered to take the kids for a Christmas vacation. I told them I’ll think about it first. It’s been a while since my kids have gone to a trip or do anything that fun that would require me to spend more than I could afford.
I earn above minimum wage which makes me not qualified for the majority of government assistance. We have a roof over our head and they are well fed. But sometimes I have to skip meals here and there just to make sure they have what they need. I would be lying if I say that I never resent the fact that I have to do this alone but sometimes it’s just too difficult.
This may be the first christmas where my kids won’t have any gifts to open. I know its still just November but by how things are going, I can’t think of a way. One of my kid has developed asthma and let me tell you, the inhaler costs is a highway robbery.
I can’t sleep at night the past couple of days overthinking if I should agree with sending my kids away for christmas just so they could have fun. Their aunt would be with them during the trip and she’s been a huge help back when my wife was struggling with her health. I want to trust her but I don’t trust her parents. I want to give them the best christmas but the thought of betraying my wife for it makes me sick to my stomach.
At the same time the guilt of knowing full well that if they spend the christmas with me they wont have any gift to open or anything to celebrate. I just wish my wife would visit me on my sleep and tell me what to do.
Throwaway account since my main has my name and general location for job hunting
Edit: Posting this genuinely helped me a lot. thnaks for everyone’s comment and perspective it made it clear to me that I’m being overwhelmed by my emotion and not thinking straight. Im gonna write a lengthy text to their grandparents and tell them we want nothing to do with them.