When my mother-in-law Gloria moved in to help care for my daughter Lily after my surgery, I felt relieved but quickly grew uneasy. I insisted on doing things my way when it came to raising Lily, and Gloria’s different methods—like teaching her to brush teeth in circles instead of up and down—felt like challenges to my authority. I was determined to prove I was the best mom by creating magical experiences for Lily, like building a castle in the living room and buying her a special doll, but Lily’s excitement soon faded whenever Gloria offered her outdoor adventures, capturing her imagination with nature’s wonders.

The more I tried to win Lily’s affection, the more it seemed Gloria was pulling her away. I watched as Lily eagerly followed her grandmother into the rain-soaked garden to explore the forest, while my efforts felt ignored and ineffective. I felt invisible, overshadowed by Gloria’s easy connection with Lily, especially when they planned a new “spy base” together. My frustration boiled over one evening when I tried to pull Lily inside from a campfire with Gloria, sparking a heated argument between Gloria and me.

In the chaos, Thomas suddenly noticed Lily was missing. Panic set in as we searched everywhere—yard, house, and familiar places—until Gloria recalled the cabin in the nearby forest where Lily had once played. Racing through the dark woods, we found her asleep inside, safe but tired. Her innocent words about being glad the whole family was together broke through my jealousy and anger, showing me that our constant fighting had only hurt her.

That night, we promised to stop competing for Lily’s love and instead unite as a family. No more battles or jealousy—just love and cooperation for the sake of our daughter. As we watched Lily sleep peacefully, I realized that what mattered most wasn’t winning her heart alone, but sharing that love with everyone who cared for her.