You are not alone in this. What they were doing is taking you for granted... because you are Grandma... I have the same issue, my daughter calls and wants to come and stay for a few days with my grandson, when she gets here she says... oh I never get out, and leaves for the whole night with her friends and comes home when she pleases. I let it go because she doesnt do it every weekend. It upsets me because I thought she was coming to see me, and spent sometime together. We get in huge fights, and she leaves mad . But at times you feel, hurt, used, and they just treat you like you are worthless. Let them hire a sitter, why shouldnt they have to pay? You shouldnt have to do it everyday, unless you want to. If it wasnt for you, they would have been paying someone along time ago.. Yes, they go out buy, stuff they should not, but they are doing it because they know, they can. You need to tell them how you feel, and if they get mad, leave, and get a sitter, so be it. Seems to me, they have no or little respect for you. They saw a good thing and they just pushed it. You have every right to feel the way you do. I understand you probably dont want to ask for money from them to watch your grandbaby, but you know a sitter isnt cheap, and who can you trust these days? I feel they just thought ...well. Grandama will do it, and we can do what we want to. You need to talk with them, and tell them how you feel, I am sure perhaps you need a break from watching a child, it isnt easy, like when we were younger, and I think that is what my daughter doesnt understand. Shes 19 with a 18 month old, and I have told her, I get tired and she says oh, stop, its fine. I tell her, well you wait 20 years and you will see. This happens in alot of families, and grandparents watching and raising there grandbabies. You need to take a stand, and dont feel bad about it. perhaps, they can get some state help to where they pay a small amount for day care. Then you can see your grandson, and enjoy him, without feeling used and under pressure. Maybe just watch him part time. I am sure you had every right to have that melt down, a person can only be pushed so far.You will all calm down and it will work out, just talk to them, and stand your ground, that doesnt mean you dont care or love them, that is telling them that you do, and you want it back in return.
