When my daughter-in-law welcomed twins into the world last year, I felt an overwhelming joy. Becoming a grandmother was such a dream for me. I imagined spoiling my grandbabies with love, hearing their giggles, and spending weekends basking in the joy of family. But I didn\u2019t imagine this: endless nights spent rocking babies, handling dirty diapers, and stepping in as \u201cthe free babysitter\u201d multiple times a week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
At first, I didn\u2019t mind helping. I knew my son and daughter-in-law had their hands full. I went over a few times a week to babysit and help with housework. Sure, it was tiring, but it was out of love.
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venomdrop
week ago<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Just remember you may need to wear diapers one day. Who will change them. Are you wrong for wanting boundaries, no. But later your children won’t be wrong for putting you in a nursing home either. Just something to think about. You may be the built in babysitter now, but later they could be the built in nurse aids.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Before long, though, it felt more like I was running a daycare than visiting my grandkids. No one ever checked to see if I was available. I\u2019d walk in, and my daughter-in-law would say, \u201cHere\u2019s one baby, and the other is on the changing table. Can you take care of that?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But I\u2019m not a nanny! I\u2019ve already raised my children. I didn\u2019t expect to take on this role in my 60s. Every time I tried to set a boundary, she\u2019d tell me, \u201cYou\u2019re their grandma. This is what grandmas do.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But I don\u2019t think that\u2019s what being a grandma is supposed to be. It\u2019s about love, joy, and support \u2014 not just unpaid labor. I\u2019m not supposed to be expected to drop everything, clean up messes, and run a daycare. I tried talking to my son, but he was always too busy.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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