The Counterattack of Stay-at-Home Moms

After my maternity leave ended with my daughter Lily, Albert decided to bring Elaine from the countryside to help with the baby. He was also worried about Elaine and thought it would be good for her to live in the city.

One evening, when I got home from work, I found Lily’s face covered by a small towel. She was struggling, her little arms and legs flailing around.

Panicking, I yanked off the towel and saw her face was red from being smothered. I was terrified and sweating as I searched for Elaine.

I found her upstairs, deep in conversation with our neighbor Arthur. Furious, I demanded to know why she wasn’t watching Lily properly.

Elaine simply shrugged and said, “It wasn’t on purpose. It’s just one kid—how important can she be?”

I was so angry that I ended up arguing with Albert. Elaine, crying and sniffling, came over and said, “I didn’t mean to mess up. If you don’t want me around, I can leave.”

Feeling sorry for Elaine, Albert turned to me and said, “It’s just a small mistake. Mom knows she messed up and will be more careful from now on.”

Since I needed Elaine’s help with Lily while I worked, I had no choice but to put up with it.

With Albert backing her up, Elaine grew even more reckless. She started taking Lily to the plaza every day to dance with Arthur.

The neighbors got worried and stopped me one day, saying, “Elaine is dancing with a man, and Lily’s stroller is left way off by itself.

“What if someone takes her? And it’s so hot out—Lily is left in the shade with no protection.”

I soon realized that Elaine was dancing for hours, leaving Lily unattended without feeding or changing her.

Lily cried herself hoarse from hunger, and her bottom got a painful rash. In frustration, I quit my job to care for Lily myself and sent Elaine back to her village.