As a retired grandmother, I thought I was being reasonable when I agreed to babysit my grandson, but set boundaries around watching my daughter-in-law’s two other children from a previous marriage. I explained to her that I’d be happy to care for my grandson, but would need compensation for watching all three kids. Unfortunately, my daughter-in-law didn’t take kindly to this request.
The next day, I found myself locked out of her house, with a terse message that I was no longer welcome because I allegedly treated her kids differently. I was taken aback by this reaction, and felt hurt and guilty for causing tension in the family. My son is now caught in the middle, trying to navigate this delicate situation.
I want to make it clear that I love all three kids, but as a retiree, caring for three children at once is overwhelming. I believe it’s essential to set boundaries and prioritize my own well-being. However, I also want to repair my relationship with my daughter-in-law and find a way to move forward without exacerbating the situation. The question is, how can I address this issue without causing more harm?
