OP and their husband, who is a stay-at-home dad, needed a break from parenting. They asked OP’s mom, the only family nearby, to babysit their toddler for four hours. However, despite agreeing, the mom delayed and kept them waiting until 4:30 p.m. This upset OP, who had a migraine and a cranky baby.
OP confronted their mom about her unreliability, and an argument ensued. Later, the mom and her husband accused OP of being too harsh and expressed a desire to be part of their grandson’s life. In this situation, OP isn’t the AH. They sought help due to exhaustion and a genuine need for a break. OP’s mom agreed to babysit but failed to keep her commitment, causing frustration and inconvenience. While communication could have been more empathetic, OP’s feelings of disappointment and frustration are valid. To avoid such issues in the future, it may be wise for OP to explore alternative childcare options to prevent relying on their mom.
Scroll down to read the full story.
They need a break from parenting but struggle due to finances.
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OP’s mom lives nearby but often avoids babysitting. OP, desperate with a migraine, agreed to a nap suggestion.
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But her mom’s delays caused frustration.
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OP asked their mom for a 4-hour babysitter, and she agreed.
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Mom arrives at 4:30, causing frustration. OP explains the time frame has passed due to dinner, bedtime, and grocery shopping, leading to an argument with mom.
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OP expressed frustration, calling the day a waste due to mom’s unreliability, even in emergencies. Mom got offended, leading to an argument. OP decided to leave.
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Now OP questions if they were in the wrong.
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OP wanted to save for a babysitter, but mom insisted on family babysitting. OP was willing to pay mom for babysitting.
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OP’s husband is disabled, so they share childcare at home. Their job helps financially, but they can’t afford daycare.
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They’ll save up to avoid burnout instead of relying on mom.
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OP thanks everyone for the advice.
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Now that you have read the story, it’s time for you to see what Redditors had to say about this. Read till the end to see what are other people’s opinions on this. Don’t forget to share your own opinion at the end of this article, too.
OP did what was right for her own well-being.
 Self-care is essential, and OP deserved that break.
NTA – Your mom’s actions were unfair, and you had every right to speak up.
It’s important to stand up for yourself and your needs.
Your boundaries and feelings matter too.
What are your thoughts on this story? What would you do, or how would you react if you were in OP’s position? You know that your feedback means a lot to us; therefore, we want you to share your thoughts in the comment section below. For more such articles, keep visiting Defused. Have a nice day!
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“Meet Gatto, he hates it when I wake him up…”
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