During the recent Tet holidays, the small house of Mr. Hoang's family in Yen Bai ward, Lao Cai province was still bustling with children's voices.
Although the couple has separated, Ms. Hoa's two children are still able to go to their paternal grandparents' house to celebrate Tet like in previous years.
Every year, the lucky money for the children is kept by the grandmother, and then she sends it to save for the two grandchildren," Ms. Hoa recounted.
It used to be an underground agreement, without paperwork, without calculation. But this year, when the marriage ended, everything suddenly became more sensitive.
After a few days of Tet, the grandmother called Ms. Hoa, informing her that she had summarized the lucky money for her two grandchildren and transferred it back for her to keep.
From now on, mom will keep it for you, for convenience," she said briefly.
Ms. Hoa was surprised. Not because of the amount of money, but because of the change in the arrangement.
“I understand the circumstances are different. But my heart is still restless. Is it because we divorced that everything is more separate?”, she wondered.
For her grandmother, that decision stemmed from tact. Relatives in Mr. Hoang's family said that she thought after the couple broke up, keeping the children's money could make Ms. Hoa embarrassed or give rise to misunderstandings.
You are mainly with me, so let me keep it clear," she said.
But the story does not stop at who keeps the money. Mr. Hoang, the father of the two children, is also in a difficult situation.
I want my mother to continue to keep it as before, because it has been a habit for many years. But I also understand that after divorce, anything related to money can easily make people sensitive," he shared.
Ms. Hoa admitted that what worries her is not the matter of managing money, but the worry about her child's emotions.
I am afraid that later when my children grow up, they will feel the difference in the way adults treat them, even though adults are just trying to be proper," she said.
In fact, lucky money is inherently meaningful for good luck at the beginning of the year. But when the family is no longer intact, lucky money envelopes can become a symbol of care, decision-making and trust.
Finally, Ms. Hoa decided to text her ex-mother-in-law to thank her. She also clearly stated that she would continue to send savings to both children as in previous years.
Money in someone's hands is not as important as both sides thinking about their children," she shared.
