Dear Annie: Young grandmother canât get away from daughtersâ babysitting requests

Dear Annie: I have two daughters, and they have children. I had to move to a different state because my children thought my life should solely be about my grandchildren. I’m still in my 40s.

After I moved, my children continue to call on me for babysitting. They plan “vacations” for me to come watch their kids while they go on an actual vacation. I have to fly back to their state and take off from work. Now, they do pay for the airfare, and I stay at their home with the kids, but I feel I am obligated to plan a full week of things for my grandchildren to do — at my expense. There are five grandchildren, ages ranging 2-8. This happens twice a year. It also makes it extremely difficult for me to afford an actual vacation myself.

I am a young widow, so there is no grandpa to shoulder some of the weight. How do I explain to my kids that as much as I love my grandchildren, I would like to go on vacation, too! — Babysitting Forever

Dear Babysitting: You have to say to your daughters exactly what you said to me in this letter. Maybe you could find activities at your local library, park or beach where you could find activities that don’t cost money.

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