Mom demands grandma cut short 5 day vacation to babysit 4-year-old and 6-year-old, gets offended when she tells her she's disappointed: 'I wouldn't ask if I wasn't desperate'

Author image for Ally Perry
Ally Perry • Writer and Editor
Mar 1, 2026 9:00 PM EST

Just because a babysitter is part of the family doesn't mean they aren't allowed a break now and then.

Relatives who provide childcare are a privilege that not every parent gets, and should be treated accordingly. While it is true that modern life and the average full-time job do not make it easy for many to be present 24/7 for their kids, that doesn't mean that somebody else who is related to them is automatically ready to step in and watch them whenever their parents are not able to do it.

It is understandable that most moms and dads need a break now and then, whether because of other commitments or just because they need a breather. They love to say that it takes a village, and a lot of parents have family members who are happy to be a part of that—they just don't want to be the sole member. Unfortunately, that is exactly what often happens to the individual who first offers themselves up as the go-to babysitter for a busy parent. Even the most generous of unpaid childcare providers need some time to themselves now and then, no matter what their relatives may have going on.

Add as a preferred
source on Google
Advertisement
  • A grandma and granddaughter play on the floor together
    via Getty Images (Unsplash+)

    A grandma and granddaughter play on the floor together

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

  • One mom was left feeling like she had crossed a line when her own mom had expressed disappointment with how she had treated her. The grandma often took care of her two grandkids for her, but she had planned a five day vacation where she would not be available to do that.

    While she was on this vacation, the backup babysitter cancelled on the mom, and she and her husband had no choice but to work. As a last resort, she called her mom and asked if she would be able to come back a day early to help her with the kids. Although she agreed, she was unhappy, and she wasn't sure if she had done something wrong.

  • Am I wrong for asking my mom to cut her vacation short to help with my kids?

    I (32F) have two kids, 4 and 6. My mom (60F) has been my main source of childcare for years while I work.
    via Constant-Elephant763
  • She's always been amazing about it and I'm incredibly grateful. She planned a trip months ago to go to a convention out of state with her friends.
    via Constant-Elephant763
  • It's a 5 day trip and she's been looking forward to it forever. Here's the problem: My usual backup sitter just had a family emergency and is out of town.
    via Constant-Elephant763
  • My husband can't take time off work right now. I'm stuck with no childcare and a work deadline I absolutely cannot miss.
    via Constant-Elephant763
  • I called my mom in a panic and asked if there's any way she could come back a day early.
    via Constant-Elephant763
  • Just one day. I explained the situation and said I wouldn't ask if I wasn't desperate.
    via Constant-Elephant763
  • She got really quiet and said she'd think about it. Later she texted saying she'll come back but she's really disappointed and feels like she can't have anything for herself.
    via Constant-Elephant763
  • Now I feel like absolute garbage. I know this trip meant a lot to her but I genuinely don't have other options.
    via Constant-Elephant763
  • A mom holds her young son while sitting on the floor
    via Getty Images (Unsplash+)

    A mom holds her young son while sitting on the floor

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

  • divinacci YTJ, come on. Your mom raised her children already, she shouldn't be taking care of yours full time too. There were NO other babysitters you could've contacted in a pinch? No one your friends use and like and could recommend? 4 and 6 are not babies, they can handle a new person in their lives. No wonder she feels like she can't have anything to herself, you've shown that you don't respect her life enough to let her have 5 days off.
    via divinacci
  • Icy-You3075 YTJ. They're your kids. Figure it out without asking your mother to drop everything for you. Isn't she entitled to have a life of her own? Your husband can't miss work and you have a deadline. Why did you even decide to have kids if you can't handle one day without childcare? What would you do if your mother was no longer able to care for your kids? Call your mother back and tell her to stay and have fun and just figure your sh out like the adult you are.
    via Icy-You3075
  • hedwigflysagain YTJ, time to put your children in daycare. You are abusing your mothers generosity and goodwill. You should have more than one backup sitter.
    via hedwigflysagain
  • Salt-Improvement-263 Yes, you are the j . Those are YOUR kids. If all plans fall through it is up to YOU. It is nice of your mother to do all that she has done. But i would feel very used now if i were her. Her comment about not getting to have anything for herself is valid. Why is her time and plans less valuable than your work?
    via Salt-Improvement-263
  • Low-Cartoonist8022 YTJ and very entitled.
    via Low-Cartoonist8022
  • Respectable450 The audacity. Ytj
    via Respectable450
  • Gonpostlscott Sorry, but like all the others here, yes ya are! YOU have a problem, not your mom... who, as you said has planned this for months. If you have a deadline and only needed 1 day, you could have done something different for coverage. You owe your mom any and all payments for her missed time, hotel, travel expenses, etc. You could have asked to work from home for 1 day...or even called in sick and still worked at home. Yes, this is on you and you owe your mom big time!!
    via GonpostIScott
  • mrs_madvi11ain27 YTJ Trusted friends? Other family members? In laws?
    via mrs_madvi11ain27
  • Pretend-Adeptness105 YTJ. You should stop relying on your mom so much for childcare and be respectful of her time. I can acknowledge that you were. desperate for childcare but it sounds like she can never get time away completely which is unfair to her.
    via Pretend-Adeptness105

Want More? Follow Us and Add Us as a Preferred Source on Google.

Tags

babysitter entitled parents kids grandma babysitting mom entitled people vacation
Scroll Down For The Next Article