Is it a child's job to financially help their parents?

[Anonymous]

My DH is an only child, his mom is a single mom. As a teen and young adult he worked and paid half the rent and half the bills.

We got married and he still had a year left of college. He went to school full time (did not work) and I worked full time to help him finish school. He graduated and got a job and we both worked for a while. Then I got pregnant and I quit and became a SAHM.

Well, his mom told him yesterday that it's his obligation to still help her pay her rent and her bills because he's the only child and she never remarried because of him.

I am not against helping her with what we can when we can (we have before), but her attitude has me a bit surprised. I never ever think it's a childs obligation to support their parents.... am I wrong????

[Mommy2Jolee]

No, it is every adults responsibility to take care of themself. That being said, I think he should still be there to at least make sure she has basics.... Food, heat/ac, meds...

[MistyMoo]

LOL I would never ever expect my kids to help financially!

[tnmommy5]

She is wrong on that!

[stefvan]

 It's not.  I have to say that's the one thing that has surprised me about CM - finding out how many people's parents have kids footing their bills. 

[Jensep]

Not wrong at all. I agree helping if she needs it every once in a while. But it's NOT his job to do so! I don't think my parents would ever ask me for help...

[ff-princess]

no, he should not be responsible for supporting her.  if he chooses to and can afford it without taking away from his own family, that's one thing.  but it is not his obligation, that's ridiculous and emotionally manipulative.

[Anonymous]

In some familes (and in some cultures), yes, it is. 

[Anonymous]

THAT IS COMPLETE AND UTTER BULLSHIT.

Sounds like something my biological father would try to pull. 

[CheyanneW]

That's ridiculous.  How did keep her from remarrying?

[Rach7224]

I would never expect that of my kids but i also would never let my mother go homeless or hungry i would do my best to help. And my mom has a bit of that same attitude sometimes... But im an only child too, and my parents were together until i was an adult. My mom just likes the attention.