Many people say that being a parent is full of joy, but grandparents find just as much happiness watching their children become parents themselves.
However, for one devoted grandma, things weren’t as wonderful as they seemed. She found herself in a tough spot when her daughter started treating her like a full-time babysitter for her grandson!
Wondering what happened when this grandma finally said “no”? Keep reading to find out…
On Reddit’s ‘Am I the A*e’ thread, a grandmother shared a difficult choice she had to make, torn between her own needs and those of her daughter and grandson.
The 56-year-old grandma explained that she felt forced to choose between taking a much-needed break and looking after her 14-month-old grandson.
Her daughter, 26, had been living with her for support after her partner left when their baby was only three months old.
In her post, the grandmother, who goes by Original Poster (OP), mentioned that she usually helps out by watching her grandson from 6 PM to 8 PM while her daughter works.
“To support my daughter, I cover all the home expenses while she pays for daycare and the baby’s essentials like diapers and formula. She’s even managed to save some money for a future move,” OP explained.
With everything under control, OP had planned to take a month off to rest. “I wanted to take a month off next month to just relax at home,” she said.
But when her daughter heard about OP’s break, she saw a chance to save money on daycare and speed up her plan to move out.
“When my daughter found out about my time off, she asked if I could watch my grandson full-time during the day to help her save money,” OP shared.
Despite her daughter’s emotional pleas, OP stood her ground. She explained that she would help in the mornings but wouldn’t agree to babysit all day. She needed her rest.
“She started crying, saying she was doing everything she could to become independent and move out, but being a single mom is really hard,” OP recalled. “She even begged for just three extra hours of help each day, but I held firm.”
Even though OP made her decision, she admitted feeling guilty. She knew her daughter’s situation was tough, but she also recognized her own need for boundaries.
“I adore my grandson, but I need my rest too,” OP said.
Her story quickly gained attention online, and many people shared their thoughts on her dilemma.
One commenter understood OP’s decision and brought up a big concern: “If she pulls her child out of daycare for a month, the daycare will likely give the spot to another family. They can’t afford to leave it unpaid.”
The same person added, “Has she tried getting child support from her ex yet? That would help her finances a lot more than skipping daycare for a month.”
Another commenter jumped in with some support for OP: “And if you burn out from all the work, who’s going to help her then? Her situation is hard, but it could be worse without any daycare or your help. You’re doing so much already, and it’s okay to say no.”
In the end, OP’s decision reflects the challenge of balancing personal needs with family responsibilities—a struggle many people can relate to.
