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Expectations of grandparents

(14 Posts)
jenpax Mon 17-Aug-26 18:18:31

Some of you will remember previous posts I put on about the help I’ve had to give my youngest daughter and her three children In Essence I have given her most of my life savings, all of my time(I’ve ended up having to give up my career to help her with the children) and still she needs more and more. I have soldiered on as best I can for the sake of the children, as I can see they are hard work and she struggles. I don’t expect gratitude or thanks, basic politeness would be nice! but she keeps waving the stupid perfect granny women from tik tok in my face and it’s driving me insane. Yes I can choose not to watch them, but it’s the fact that she thinks that this is an acceptable standard of grand-parenting. I don’t think it’s feasible for a grandparent to have to throw their life on the fire to help with grandchildren. Yes being there if there’s an emergency, helping with childcare (if you can and health and time permits), helping out financially if you’re able to do so but this idea seems to be growing that grandparents should not have a life of their own but devote every second of their time to their children and preferably buy them houses and if you can’t buy them this! then give them all your money! DD also draws unfavourable comparisons with how I dont “look after my appearance” hardly surprising given I look after the children nearly full time and virtually all my income is diverted to help her out
This is the link to the women’s videos if anyone’s interested
vm.tiktok.com/ZN88Evy5M/
I know that I shouldn’t get so riled up by this but it’s the final straw when I point out to my DD how much I have helped I’m apparently throwing it back in her face. I’m not allowed to mention it. I’ve just got to suck it up.

MissAdventure Mon 17-Aug-26 18:39:42

I'm afraid if it was my daughter being so disrespectful, she would be getting a dose of "tongue lash pie" from me.
I somply fail to understand how grown adults get to treat their parents so disrespectfully, whilest milking them dry financially.

pably15 Mon 17-Aug-26 18:47:40

I agree Miss Adventure, I have helped out with my grandchildren, but have never been treated like that, nor would I have put up with it. don't be so available in future jenpax.

Iam64 Mon 17-Aug-26 19:00:41

MissAdventure

I'm afraid if it was my daughter being so disrespectful, she would be getting a dose of "tongue lash pie" from me.
I somply fail to understand how grown adults get to treat their parents so disrespectfully, whilest milking them dry financially.

Is this a very recent form of behaviour ? I knew no one when I was a young mother who expected, never mind got, emotional, practical, financial etc support to the extent many yiung parents get now. I was lucky, my mum would step in if I couldn’t miss a particular meeting or other work thing but not if she already had stuff she was doing - like ballroom dancing or art group. I was just thankful she’d help with love.

I know a few grandparents on the receiving end of the behaviour OP describes. Are we living in a more me me extended childhood

Shelflife Mon 17-Aug-26 19:02:11

This is a form of abuse and is happening more and more. GC are loved but not our responsibility ! Your DD should be ashamed of herself . You have given her most of your savings-
what !!!!!!!!!!😱 You do not have to suck it up - whst you do have to do is stand up for yourself, tell your DD hiw selfish she is and regain control of your life. She will be the one who must suck it up.
My DDs would NEVER behave like that!
Can't believe what I have read
For goodness sake put an immediate stop to her bullying behaviour, msje ut clear they are her children abc her responsibility.

Ilovecheese Mon 17-Aug-26 19:09:21

I wonder, is some of this because some parents cannot let go of their adult children, or do not trust them to be able to run their own lives?
They feel they have to step in at the slightest little problem, to "sort things out"?

MissAdventure Mon 17-Aug-26 19:12:46

I just watched the video in the link jenpax.
Apart from the fact that i think that woman is a silly cow, i just wanted to say that if a male partner treated you as gour daughter is, it would be classed as cohersive control.

Plevey08 Mon 17-Aug-26 19:25:23

I feel really sorry for you and the situation you are in. Mostly we do want to help and support our now adult children. And the requests can creep up on you, as we ultimately want our GC to be looked after well. You don't mention if she has a partner? You are also a very important GP to the children.. What would they have done without you? However, that's where your daughter has a hold over you. Has she not been able to cope, so you had to step up to the expectations? Is there any chance you can get away for a few days or so for a break, and a chance to think about what you are able to offer and more importantly, not to feel any guilt or obligation to over explain to her. She sounds as if she needs a bit of a wake up call, as to her expectations of what you should be like, and what you do for her and her children. You have gone above and beyond your GP responsibilities.

jenpax Mon 17-Aug-26 19:39:26

Ilovecheese

I wonder, is some of this because some parents cannot let go of their adult children, or do not trust them to be able to run their own lives?
They feel they have to step in at the slightest little problem, to "sort things out"?

This might be true in some cases but I can honestly say that my DD would not cope without substantial help ! Sadly the children father lives a long way away and their relationship is adversarial he also pays zero child support! two of the children have diagnosed health conditions that effect behaviour and she really struggles none the less I cant be her unpaid slave 24/7 and the til tok “granny Helen” was the final straw this evening 🙄

Jaxjacky Mon 17-Aug-26 19:57:45

You have been advised before on your situation and chose to continue with your engagement and its consequences.
Did you have any therapy as recommended last year?

valdali Mon 17-Aug-26 20:00:20

"Granny Helen" might not even be a granny - we've only got her word for it.
You're such a good Mum to your daughter Jenpax, it's a shame she's so entitled & needy, but you know how much you do for them all so don't let the silly (lying?) TikTok woman get to you.

SueDonim Mon 17-Aug-26 20:26:24

I can’t see the video. From what you say, Jenpax you’re rather enabling your dd to behave in this way. I don’t know whether she has particular issues or is just entitled but I don’t think she or you are very good role models for the children. Would the father be prepared to have custody of the children? What about the other grandparents? Are they able to help out?

jenpax Mon 17-Aug-26 20:27:21

Jaxjacky

You have been advised before on your situation and chose to continue with your engagement and its consequences.
Did you have any therapy as recommended last year?

My post today was specifically about this wretched tik tok woman and not my general situation. No i haven't been able to afford private counselling its not cheap in my area

Dickens Mon 17-Aug-26 20:43:20

jenpax

... but I can honestly say that my DD would not cope without substantial help

And she never will. Because she's apparently abdicated her responsibility and placed it firmly in your lap.

If you become ill or incapacitated and are unable to shoulder this responsibility - what do you think she will do then? If that video of 'Granny Helen' is indicative of her mindset, then you need to start putting that supportive "village" in place now via social services.

Also, bear in mind that Granny Helen is a content-creator and as such, it's quite likely that her main priority is getting sufficient 'clicks' and followers, and she's found a ready market of self-entitled parents.