Off The Record

Am I A Bad Mother For Kicking My Pregnant Daughter Out? Here’s Why I Did It

Published on April 30, 2024

I’m so caught up in my story’s many turns and turns that I’m not even sure where to start!

When my daughter told me she was pregnant, I believed she was headed in the right direction for college!

My youngster did something so terrible that it forced my hand after I gave in to that monkey in the works!

(parts of this story have been rewritten for originality)

Hello to all of you. My name is Ella, and this year, Rose, my daughter, turns 19. I want to know what everyone thinks about a somewhat challenging story that I am going to tell. My daughter, who is fifteen, has been dating Nathan, a twenty-year-old, for a year now.

Alright, I’ll be honest: as a single mom who has experienced it all, I had my doubts about Nathan. But to my wonderful surprise, he turned out to be a really nice guy. I noticed that I was getting to know him and thinking of him as my adopted kid.

When I found out something I didn’t want for her at that age, I wasn’t overly delighted. She told me this one day when she got home: “Mom, I have to tell you something, but you need to promise me that you won’t be upset.”

Naturally, I had heard that statement before and had my backup plan. I cursed myself for letting Nathan worm his way into my heart as my imagination began to replay all kinds of scenarios! I even held myself responsible for lowering my defenses around him.

I don’t know how, but I had a sneaking suspicion that he was up to something my daughter wanted to talk about!

However, I tried not to let my reservations show on my face as I tried to be a good father. “What is it baby, you know you can tell me anything?” I asked quietly. She sighed and inhaled deeply before hesitantly saying:

“I am carrying Nathan’s child.” You will become a grandmother.”

I was really taken aback! For some reason, I hadn’t considered that as an option. Rose was a baby herself, after all, and she was about to become a mother! I felt a wave of disappointment as I considered how drastically her life would alter.

I imagined all the things she would have to deal with now that she had to postpone her college degree.

I was concerned that, given what she and Nathan planned to accomplish, her schooling might have to be discontinued completely. Observing the anxiety in my gaze, my daughter comforted me:

“I know you wanted me to secure my future first, but this baby and Nathan are a big part of it.”

She assured me that everything will work out. I gave in to the happiness that greeted me when I realized I would soon be having a grandson! I stood up and congratulated her and Nathan while giving her a hug. Rose then withdrew and said:

“Um, I have another surprise for you.”

She extended her left hand this time, and a ring was on her wedding ring finger!

“He proposed Mommy and I said ‘Yes!'” The moment the waterworks began, I could see how concerned Nathan was about my kid and her future! I was ecstatic for my newborn daughter!

Even though I was hesitant, I couldn’t help but become enthusiastic in the days that followed. Their marriage and the birth of my first grandson were two reasons to be joyful! I let them live in my house since I was so involved in their lives.

Nathan set about building a strong foundation for his new family in the interim.

The fortunate couple was even given a special room in my home for the nursery. Decorating it with each other was a lot of fun! But one fateful afternoon, things in my modest, normally peaceful house took a drastic change.

I got home earlier than normal, carrying a lot of cheap stuff from the neighborhood store in my arms. I purchased items to get ready for the arrival of my grandchild. However, I had no idea that the tranquility of the day would soon crumble in front of me.

With a spring in my step, I entered the kitchen, only to be met by Rose. She was only wearing her pretty underwear. Her look of amazement matched the rhythm of my pounding heart, which seemed to see a problem before I did.

“Mum! How come you’re going home so early?” Rose’s voice wavered as she stammered.

“Baby, who are you talking to?” rang out from the hallway in a deep, foreign accent before I could respond. The informal closeness of the conversation made my stomach turn as I realized it wasn’t Nathan!

Rose had two steaming cups of coffee in her hands, and I finally noticed and let go of the diapers and other items. My hands are still shaking from what I witnessed that day…

“I thought I’d surprise you with these,” I exclaimed, raising my voice as I pointed to the mess at my feet. “But it seems I’m the one surprised.” With my heart racing, I stepped in the direction of the voice, ignoring Rose as she begged, “Mom, please, let me explain!”

Disregarding her, I pushed open the bedroom door and saw a man I didn’t know who was covered in the bedsheet Nathan’s mother had given him!

“What is going on here, Rose?” With a steely voice, I demanded an answer that hung thick in the air. The man got to his feet, making an effort to look dignified, which just made me angry.

“I truly apologize, ma’am. “I was unaware—” he began, his eyes flashing erratically.

“Out!” I gave him a harsh cutoff. Without pausing, he skittered away from me, carrying a regretful ghost with him.

Rose was crying now, her betrayal splattered on her makeup. It was an error, Mom. I was simply being insignificant. Please keep Nathan in the dark. Please, she implored me.

“You claim ‘that was nothing,’ but how? You betray all that our family has worked so hard to provide for you.” I cried out, my eyes stinging.

“You’ve lied to everyone, not just Nathan. We built this home and this room with your future and your child’s future in mind.”

However, seeing her with another man in the house where we had painted fantasies together solidified my determination even more! “Rose, you made your decision. You have to go now. I need time to gather my thoughts, to relax, and to determine whether I can ever view you in the same light.”

Rose fell to the ground and grabbed hold of my legs.

“Mom, I have no money and nowhere to go! I’m afraid, please,” she said. I felt a piece of myself fall apart as I stood there and watched her grab her few items through tear-streaked eyes. However, the lie was too profound, and the injury too recent.

I consider my options while I sit here by myself in the midst of unfinished dreams. There is a great deal of doubt regarding the baby’s paternity—was Rose even carrying Nathan’s child? Shall I impose this reality on him?

Was Rose’s expulsion the right course of action or too harsh a decision?

With heavy heart, I come to you, readers of my troubling story: Should I tell Nathan this sad truth? Was that the right thing for me to do to preserve the integrity of our family? Or am I a mother betrayed, behaving not wisely but hurtfully?