My Husband and His Mother Decided I Should Quit My Job and Become Her Maid

When Ethan came home that Sunday, his expression told me something was off. He and his mother had decided—without me—that I should quit my job.

At first, I thought it was a joke, but seeing his serious face, I realized he meant it. They thought my career didn’t matter and that I should be their personal housekeeper instead.

I had been married to Ethan for two years, and while things were usually good, there was always his mother, Diane, a constant presence who often shared her unsolicited opinions. Ethan, a mama’s boy, followed her advice blindly, even when it made no sense.

One Thanksgiving, Diane suggested we fire our house cleaner so I could take care of the home. Ethan agreed. I cleverly turned it back on him, suggesting he should start doing the cleaning instead.

But this time, it was different. Ethan came home one Sunday and told me, “Mom and I think you should quit your job.” He said it would help me focus on family duties, but the underlying message was clear: my worth was in the home, not my career.

Diane added, “A woman’s place is with her family.” They even suggested that my work was leading to “temptations” and questioned if I was cheating because I was always working late.

I was stunned but quickly realized this wasn’t just about quitting my job—it was about control. They wanted me to give up my financial independence and serve them.

I played along, telling them I’d quit. The next morning, I followed through, taking an extended leave and cutting off my financial support.

As the weeks went by, Diane and Ethan quickly realized the consequences. Diane’s spa trips, Ethan’s shopping sprees, and our fancy meals all stopped. I let the discomfort build until, after a month, I told Ethan I was returning to work. But first, I added, “I’ll also be filing for divorce.”

The silence that followed was golden. Ethan tried to apologize, but I was done. I couldn’t let Diane control my life, especially after accusing me of cheating. I left Ethan and started over—free and independent again.