In today's Dear Annie column, Annie Lane offers advice to a frustrated grandma in her 40s who is expected to fly in and watch her grandchildren multiple weeks a year and pay for activities while she's there.
The cost of paying for activities for her grandchildren makes it difficult for today's Dear Annie reader to afford things she wants to do. Annie Lane advises her to tell her daughters enough is enough. I have two daughters, and they have children. I had to move to a different state because my children thought my life should solely be about my grandchildren. I’m still in my 40s.
After I moved, my children continue to call on me for babysitting. They plan “vacations” for me to come watch their kids while they go on an actual vacation. I have to fly back to their state and take off from work. Now, they do pay for the airfare, and I stay at their home with the kids, but I feel I am obligated to plan a full week of things for my grandchildren to do -- at my expense. There are five grandchildren, ages ranging 2-8. This happens twice a year.
I am a young widow, so there is no grandpa to shoulder some of the weight. How do I explain to my kids that as much as I love my grandchildren, I would like to go on vacation, too! -- Babysitting ForeverYou have to say to your daughters exactly what you said to me in this letter. Maybe you could find activities at your local library, park or beach where you could find activities that don’t cost money.
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