I’ve always cherished being a grandmother, so when my daughter-in-law, Jessica, asked me to watch my grandson Luke for the weekend, I was more than happy to help. The weekend went smoothly, and I returned home expecting a peaceful evening—until I found a note from Jessica.
Inside was an itemized list of charges for things like snacks, diapers, using the TV, and even $20 for using the guest bathroom. I was in shock. I cared for Luke out of love, never expecting any form of payment, and felt incredibly disrespected to be treated like a paying guest.
I sent a message to Jessica expressing how hurt I felt and made it clear that I couldn’t accept such treatment in the future. Her response was a cold, brief apology. Since then, our relationship has felt distant and strained.
Now I’m left wondering—am I overreacting, or was this truly out of line? I only wanted to help, but this experience has made me feel more like a burden than a beloved family member.
