Daughter demands mother babysit grandson instead of going on vacation

Many people believe that being a parent is joyful, but grandparents also find a lot of happiness watching their kids raise children.

But for one caring grandma, it wasn’t that easy. She ended up in a difficult situation when her daughter started treating her like a full-time babysitter for her grandson.

Want to know what happened when this grandma finally said “no”? Here’s the story…

A 56-year-old grandma shared her tough choice on Reddit’s “Am I the A*e” thread. She had to decide between helping her daughter or taking care of herself. She was stuck between enjoying a well-deserved break or continuing to care for her 14-month-old grandson like she usually did.

Her 26-year-old daughter had been living with her since the baby’s father left when the child was just three months old. As a single mom, the daughter was depending on her mother for support.

The grandma, known as OP (Original Poster), watched her grandson for two hours every evening while her daughter worked. It was a small amount of time, but it helped ease her daughter’s busy schedule.

“To help my daughter, I cover all the house expenses, while she pays for daycare and the baby’s needs like diapers and formula,” OP explained. “She’s also been saving money to move out.”

Things were going well until OP mentioned her plan to take a break. “I decided to take a month off to rest at home, no travel, just time for myself,” OP shared.

When her daughter heard about the break, she saw it as a way to save money on daycare and speed up her plan to move out.

“When my daughter found out, she asked if I could watch my grandson all day instead of sending him to daycare. She thought it would help her save money,” OP said.

Even though her daughter begged, OP knew she needed the time for herself. She refused to watch the baby all day but offered to help in the mornings.

That’s when things became emotional. “She started crying,” OP remembered. “She said she’s working so hard to be independent, but being a single mom is really tough, and I’m not making it easier for her.”

Her daughter even asked for just a few more hours of help. “She pleaded with me for three extra hours each day, but I had to stand my ground,” OP added.

Though OP felt guilty, she knew she needed to set limits. “I love my grandson, but I need time to rest too,” OP said.

After sharing her story, OP’s situation started a big conversation online. Many people gave their opinions, with most understanding her need for a break.

One commenter mentioned a problem: “If she pulls her child out of daycare for a month, someone else will probably take the spot. Daycares can’t leave unpaid spots open. She might lose that spot for good.”

Another person suggested, “Has she tried getting child support from her ex? That should be her focus. It would help more than cutting daycare for a month.”

Others supported OP’s choice, with one saying, “If you burn out, who will help her then? You’re already doing a lot, and it’s okay to take time for yourself. Stick to your decision.”

In the end, OP’s story shows how hard it can be to balance family duties with personal needs—a challenge many people know well.