Daughter demands mother babysit grandson instead of going on vacation

Many folks believe that being a parent is a huge joy. Grandparents, however, find it just as wonderful to see their children have kids of their own.

Yet, for one caring grandma, things aren’t always as great as they seem. She had to take a firm stance when her daughter started treating her like a full-time babysitter for her grandson!

Keep reading to learn what happened when this grandma finally said “no”…

On Reddit’s ‘Am I the A*****e‘ thread, a grandmother talked about a hard choice she faced between her daughter and grandson.

The 56-year-old explained in her post that she felt pressured to pick between relaxing and looking after her 14-month-old grandson during her planned break.

Her 26-year-old daughter, a single mom since her partner left when their son was three months old, had been living with her for support.

The grandma, called Original Poster (OP), mentioned that she usually took care of her grandson from 6 PM to 8 PM while her daughter was at work.

“To support my daughter, I cover our home expenses while she pays for daycare and the baby’s essentials like diapers and formula. She also manages to save some money for a future move,” she noted.

“I planned to take a month off next month to rest, without going anywhere,” OP added.

However, when OP’s daughter learned about the break, she thought it was a chance to cut daycare expenses and speed up her plan to stand on her own financially.

“When my daughter heard about my time off, she suggested I could watch my grandson, helping her save money for our future move,” OP shared.

Despite her daughter’s emotional appeal about the struggles of single motherhood, OP held firm. She declined her daughter’s request to babysit beyond the morning hours, underlining the need for her own rest and limits.

“She began to cry, claiming she was working towards independence and a move-out, but being a single mom was tough and I wasn’t easing her struggle. She even pleaded for just three more hours of help, but I remained firm,” OP recalled.

Although she made her choice, OP couldn’t shake off the guilt over her daughter’s tough situation. “I adore my grandson, but I also need my rest,” she stated.

The story triggered a lot of online discussions, with many sharing their thoughts on the grandmother’s dilemma.

Many sympathized with OP’s need for downtime. One person commented: “If she pulls her child from daycare for a month, the spot will likely go to another family. The daycare can’t afford to keep the spot open unpaid, as they have their own bills.”

They added: “Has she sued her ex for child support yet? That should be her priority, as it will help more with her finances than skipping daycare for a month.”

Another chimed in: “And if you burn out from all the work, then who will support her? Her circumstances are tough, but she could be worse off, without any daycare or support. You’re not to blame for her troubles, and you’re doing all you can, yet she still wants more. Stick to your decision.”

Ultimately, OP’s decision underlines the challenge of balancing personal needs with family obligations, a struggle many relate to.

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