As a retired grandmother, I thought I had earned the right to set my own boundaries. However, a recent request from my daughter-in-law (DIL) put me in a difficult position. She asked me to babysit her three kids, including my grandson, but I knew I couldn’t take on that responsibility without some compensation.
I explained to my DIL that I would be happy to watch my grandson, but I would need to be paid for babysitting her other two kids. I thought this was a reasonable request, considering the added responsibility of caring for three children. However, my DIL didn’t respond, and the next day, I found that she had changed the locks on her house, effectively barring me from entering.
When I called her to discuss the situation, she told me that I was no longer welcome in her home because I treated her kids differently. I tried to explain that my decision had nothing to do with favoritism, but rather my own limitations as a retired person. Babysitting three children is overwhelming for me, and I felt that I needed some compensation for my time and effort.
Unfortunately, my explanation fell on deaf ears, and now there’s tension in the family. My son is caught in the middle, trying to navigate the conflict between his wife and his mother. I feel hurt and guilty for the stress I’ve caused, but I also believe that my boundaries should be respected.
I’m left wondering how to address this situation without deepening the rift. I want to maintain a good relationship with my DIL and my grandson, but I also need to prioritize my own well-being and set boundaries that work for me.
