As a loving grandmother, I wanted to support my daughter-in-law (DIL) by offering to babysit her children. However, I soon found myself facing a difficult decision. My DIL has two kids from a previous marriage, and I agreed to watch my biological grandson, but I requested compensation for taking care of the other two children.
I didn’t want to be taken advantage of or feel overwhelmed by caring for three children on my own. As a retired person, I felt that my boundaries were reasonable. Unfortunately, my DIL didn’t see it that way. She stopped responding to me and even changed the locks on her house, making it clear that I was no longer welcome.
When I tried to explain my position to her, she accused me of treating her kids differently. I reassured her that I love all of her children, but I couldn’t take on the responsibility of caring for all three without some form of compensation. The situation has created tension within the family, and my son is now caught in the middle.
I’m struggling with feelings of guilt and hurt, but I also believe that my boundaries should be respected. I want to find a way to address this issue without making things worse. It’s a difficult situation, and I’m not sure how to navigate it.
