A grandma was torn between spending her vacation alone and providing daycare for her grandchild. Her daughter saw her as unjust and did not understand the difficulties of being a single mother. Navigating the challenges of single motherhood is difficult, but having a solid support network can help reduce some of the stress.

An unnamed woman, a grandma and mother, revealed her experience on the “AITA” subreddit on September 16, 2023. She had worked hard to provide for her daughter, who had become a single mother after her child’s father abandoned them.Despite her efforts to balance her personal life, her job as a supporting mother, and her role as an actively present grandma, the 56-year-old faced a difficult decision when she had to deny babysitting her grandson.

Her 26-year-old daughter had witnessed her son’s father abandonment when he was only three months old. As a result, she had to reconstruct her life and move back in with her mother. Despite her hectic job and gym schedule, the elderly mother stayed determined to aiding her daughter in regaining independence.

Despite her hectic schedule, the grandma made an effort to support her daughter and spend time with her grandchild.Her regular day ended at 5 p.m., and she committed herself to caring for her grandson from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. until her daughter arrived home.In terms of money management, the grandmother indicated that she handled household bills while her daughter handled basic baby items such as diapers and childcare.

The senior woman believed that this arrangement would allow her to save enough money for her future independence. The daughter, on the other hand, was not convinced. Despite her grandmother’s genuine efforts to support her daughter as she faced the trials of single parenthood, she still sought some personal time. This ambition created a heated debate between them, leaving the grandma rethinking her decisions.

The Great Fight Between Mother and Daughter. When the grandma decided to take a month off from work, the situation took an unexpected turn. She did not intend to go on vacation, but rather to take a break and rest. When her daughter found out about her mother’s long-awaited trip, she regarded it as an excellent opportunity for her mother to take on babysitting duties.

Her mother’s time off work, the daughter reasoned, may be a cost-cutting strategy for childcare. When the grandmother learnt of the proposition, she declined right away, saying, “I immediately said no, as it is my rest and taking care of a child for 6h/5d+2h at night is not in my plans.”

Despite her disagreement with her daughter’s decision to withdraw the child from daycare, the grandma attempted to reach a compromise. She suggested assisting with morning babysitting so that her daughter could relax, but demanded that the grandson still attend daycare in the afternoon.

Nonetheless, the daughter had a different point of view. Overwhelmed, she confided in her mother about the difficulties of single parenthood, saying that her current situation was not lessening her difficulties. Desperate for assistance, the daughter begged her mother to extend the babysitting period by three hours. Despite the emotional appeal, the grandma stood firm in her choice, refusing to budge.

The grandma went on to say that she didn’t think spending time with a 14-month-old would be a relaxing experience. While she sympathized with her daughter’s difficult circumstances and adored her grandson, she insisted on prioritizing her own recuperation throughout this holiday. Readers of the Online Reaction said the older mom was correct not to babysit her grandchild.

Many people agreed that one month without paying for childcare would not have harmed her ability to move out financially.While respondents agreed that being a single mother was difficult, they also felt that the grandma should not have to forego her holiday to care for a child who was not hers. Do you think the older woman was correct to decline to babysit her granddaughter so that her daughter could save money? What would you do if you were in the OP’s shoes?