Carol, a 67-year-old retiree, dedicated 45 years to her career and sacrificed immensely to support her daughter through college. However, upon retirement, Carol found herself repeatedly pressured into providing free childcare for her daughter’s children.
Every Friday, her daughter would drop off the kids, dismissing Carol’s need for personal time with the remark, “What else do you have to do?” When Carol requested just one weekend off, her daughter threatened, “You’ll never see them again!” Determined to reclaim her time, Carol booked a vacation.
In response, her daughter called the police, falsely accusing Carol of abandoning her grandchildren. The officer, upon realizing Carol was on a planned trip, confirmed she had no legal obligation to provide childcare. Upon her return, Carol was bombarded with angry voicemails labeling her as “selfish” and a “terrible grandmother” for choosing personal time over family duties.
Carol’s story highlights a growing issue where adult children exploit their parents’ time, expecting them to serve as free, on-demand caregivers. Despite her deep love for her grandchildren, Carol refuses to be treated as an unpaid servant. She seeks advice on maintaining a relationship with her grandchildren while establishing firm boundaries with her daughter, who views her as a mere resource rather than a person deserving of respect and autonomy.
