My three wonderful grandchildren mean the entire world to me, but keeping up with them is certainly not as easy as it once was, I must admit. The retirement age of 62 brings a certain lack of physical energy, and matching their youthful pace is a definite challenge these days. I have always made the effort, though, to babysit whenever I absolutely could, because it is the cherished time I truly treasure. Still, the sweetest moments always seem to come with a few unexpected twists.
Things took a rather sudden turn when my son and the daughter-in-law asked me if I could begin watching the dear children far more regularly than before. The usual excellent babysitter had unfortunately had to step away, so they were in a desperate need for the help. I did not give an immediate answer right away; I thought about the proposition very carefully and considered my own limitations. I plainly told the couple I would be truly happy to help on the one essential condition: they would have to fully agree to the introduction of a few new ground rules at my house.
My son naturally wanted to know what these new rules were, so I clearly explained the required set of unique conditions to him. Rule number one was that there would be absolutely no traditional bedtimes at the house of the Grandma; the children will sleep only when they are finally tired, which is usually around midnight. Rule number two was that the homework could easily wait until the next morning because the little brains certainly need the proper rest to adequately grow. Finally, the rule number three was dessert before the dinner meal, because the life is simply too short not to start with the ice cream, in my honest opinion.
The son just laughed heartily at all of my rules, but he gave a mischievous nod of solid approval nonetheless, so we quickly settled on the arrangement of me babysitting the kids twice a whole week. At the very first, everything seemed to go smoothly, and the three grandchildren followed the unconventional rules without any complaint whatsoever. But then, only last week, my daughter-in-law called the phone, and she was absolutely furious about all the rules, especially the first one, the late bedtime.
“Because of the foolish things you do,” she yelled loudly, “my kids are acting out in ways they certainly never did before.” The angry daughter-in-law ranted severely that the poor kids were completely exhausted, constantly grumpy, always demanding the sugar, and getting into the deep trouble at the school for the unfinished assignments. When she finally discovered all of my fun “rules,” she held me entirely responsible for the situation. I calmly told the woman that my son had fully agreed to the silly rules beforehand, so I truly did not see any issue with the agreed arrangement.
Later that same evening, my upset son called me. He said my daughter-in-law had become extremely angry and had a huge fight after I told her that he had agreed to the unique rules. Now he was extremely upset with me for speaking up about his original agreement. I apologized sincerely, but I gently pointed out the simple fact that he had indeed agreed to the terms beforehand. He claimed he genuinely thought I was only joking about the whole thing. Honestly, how was I, Teresa, supposed to know the truth of his intentions? I have not heard from them or seen the children since the argument, and now I am forced to question my own actions.
