Widower wants ex-wife to be his caregiver
Dear Amy: I am an 85-year-old widower. My wife died three months ago.
I live with a "live-in" assistant who provides meals and general assistance to me. This person also has a job in real estate.
I have two grown children from a previous marriage, and three adult stepchildren from my deceased wife.
Now, I want to ask my ex-wife to move in with me to provide 24/7 care.
She is 82, and is in favor of moving in with me. We've been divorced for 36 years.
The children are split: my two agree with this idea, and the three stepchildren disagree.
The disagreement comes from concern over too short a period for bereavement, and also distribution of an inheritance after my passing.
They also think that my ex-wife is too old to provide effective caregiving.
Is there a "normal" grieving period? I am torn between my original family and my family through marriage.
Is a compromise possible?
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