Balancing a full-time job with caring for a toddler was wearing me down, so I asked my mother-in-law for help. She has plenty of free time, so I hoped she could watch our 2-year-old during the day. Instead, she told me that “full-time babysitting is not a grandma’s job,” and made it clear she wanted to keep her days free for Zumba classes and outings with friends.

Her refusal felt like a slap in the face. I wasn’t asking for luxury — just support from someone who constantly talks about being a devoted grandmother. Frustrated and feeling abandoned, I told her she couldn’t see the baby anymore and immediately hired a nanny. My husband didn’t defend me, which made everything feel even more unfair.

A few days later, my nanny called me crying. Something was wrong, and panic washed over me. When I rushed home and saw my baby, my legs gave out — I fainted. The stress, fear, and emotional weight of trying to do everything alone crashed into me at once.

In that moment, I realized how far things had spiraled. I didn’t want a war — I just wanted help. Now I’m trying to figure out how to protect my child, mend relationships, and find balance without feeling betrayed by the very people who should be supporting us.