Becoming a parent is believed to be one of life’s greatest pleasures. Meanwhile, grandparents will tell you that seeing your own children become parents is equally as beautiful.
For this loving grandmother, however, not everything is always as peachy as you’d think.
In fact, she had to put her foot down when her own daughter began using her as a personal babysitter for her grandson!
Keep reading to find out what happened when this grandmother finally told her daughter “no”…
This grandmother took to Reddit‘s ‘Am I The A*****e‘ thread to explain how she faced a tough decision recently regarding her daughter and grandson.
She wrote:
“My daughter (26F) was abandoned by her husband when my grandson was 3 months old. Since she couldn’t support herself, I let her move into my house.
I (56F) have a hectic routine where I do my things (work, gym, etc.) until 5PM and from 6PM to 8PM I stay with my grandson until my daughter arrives.
Currently, to help my daughter, I pay the expenses at home and she pays for daycare and the baby’s things (diapers, formula, etc.). And there’s still plenty left for her to save up to eventually move.
I decided that I would take a month off next month to rest, without necessarily traveling.
When my daughter found out about the vacation, she talked about the possibility of saving money on daycare to save up to move since I could stay with my grandson.
I immediately said no, as it is my rest and taking care of a child for 6h/5d+2h at night is not in my plans, but that I could help in the morning so she can rest, but the afternoon was out of the question (my grandson stays in daycare on afternoon)
She started crying, saying that she was trying to gain independence and eventually move out, but that being a single mother was so hard and I wasn’t making it any easier. Basically she begged me to at least stay another 3 hours, but I stuck to what I said.
I really want to rest and a 14 month old baby who is walking and curious I know I won’t get that rest, but I can’t help but feel guilty about my daughter’s situation. I love my grandson, but it is also my rest.
AITA?”
What do Redditors think?
The story gained online, with many offering their perspectives on the grandmother’s dilemma.
A lot of people empathized with OP’s need for rest
One person commented: “If she takes her child out of daycare for a month, the spot will be filled by someone else, and she won’t have daycare at all. The daycare provider obviously can’t afford to just hold the space open for her for a month without pay, they need to cover their own expenses.”
Their comment continued: “Has she taken her husband to court for child support? That needs to be done ASAP. It will do more for her long-term finances supporting her child than loosing daycare to try to save one month’s daycare cost.”
Another added: “And if you collapse from overwork, then who’ll put a roof over her head? Her situation is bad, but she could be living in a bug-infested slum, with no daycare or help at all. You didn’t cause her problems, and you’re giving her all you can, and she still demands more. Stand your ground.”
Ultimately, OP’s decision only goes to highlight the complexities of balancing personal needs with family responsibilities, a challenge many can relate to in their own lives.
