She Used Me as a Free Babysitter During My Book Club —

I love my grandkids, but when my daughter-in-law Tina began dropping them off unannounced during my book club, I knew boundaries were needed. After losing my husband three years ago, I’d created this monthly escape with friends to dive into books—a break from being “Grandma.” Tina brushed it off as trivial, then twice disrupted my sessions by leaving Emma and Jake without notice. Frustrated by her disrespect, I planned a response. The next time she dropped them off before book club, I waited, then drove them to her yoga class. With a cheerful,

“Won’t take long!” I left them with her mid-pose. I repeated this at her hair appointment and brunch, mirroring her drop-off tactic. After I left the kids at a café, Tina exploded, “You can’t dump them!” I calmly countered, “Ask with respect or expect the same.” She fell silent, and since then, book club has been peaceful. Her lesson learned, she now respects my time, proving that standing firm can restore balance—even with family.