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Expectations of grandparents

(65 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.

ShropshireGal87 Wed 19-Aug-26 05:20:20

I am sorry you are feeling like your daughter doesn't appreciate your support - which sound to have been an incredible amount.

This Tik Tok gran seems to be quite a controversial figure but as others have said, these people have to know how to get views and often saying things that will be divisive is a good way to get engagement. A strange world to live in. Here is an article about her:
www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/grandparent-responsibility-grandkid-relationships-tiktok_uk_69f36172e4b058c24a535800

I wonder if you're able to find a reason to be unavailable for a week. A holiday, visit to friends, etc. Maybe when your help is not available for a short period the amount you do will become clear. flowers

monami Wed 19-Aug-26 08:31:03

Cut her off, she's deplorable

Chocolatelovinggran Wed 19-Aug-26 08:55:25

jenpax I am sorry to hear how you have been treated. I wanted to add my agreement to the advice given by ShropshireGal.
Rather than a big discussion, a gentle amount of unavoidable unavailability, in terms of time - " I can't do Tuesday because of x , but can do Wednesday", instead of constant attention.
" Here's X towards your electricity bill", rather than paying the bill.
And, having seen the clip.of the other grandmother , I was astonished to hear her declare that one should never say that the grandchildren are the responsibility of the parents- how extraordinary: of course their children are their responsibility - who else?
I wonder ( a little unkindly) if her sons in law, or daughters in law were simultaneously posting on Mumsnet about their over - involved mother in law...

Purplegranny Wed 19-Aug-26 09:28:21

The perfect granny on tik tok is not real, she gets her self esteem from people (strangers) "liking her". That in itself is pathetic! Why so many young mums listen to her is because they are inadequate and entitled and it's their validation for expecting their own mums to take the work and responsibility off them. Don't be bullied by your daughter into thinking these perfect grannies are the norm. They are not. We have done our bit, brought our own children up, struggled with work, money and difficult children. Now it's her turn. She should be grateful for all you have done for her and stop acting like a selfish, entitled child. Will she be the perfect granny in the future? I doubt it.

Dalfie5577 Wed 19-Aug-26 10:47:06

Are we sure the 'Granny Helen' video wasn't being ironic . . . ? Just a thought.

jenpax Wed 19-Aug-26 12:05:59

ShropshireGal87

I am sorry you are feeling like your daughter doesn't appreciate your support - which sound to have been an incredible amount.

This Tik Tok gran seems to be quite a controversial figure but as others have said, these people have to know how to get views and often saying things that will be divisive is a good way to get engagement. A strange world to live in. Here is an article about her:
www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/grandparent-responsibility-grandkid-relationships-tiktok_uk_69f36172e4b058c24a535800

I wonder if you're able to find a reason to be unavailable for a week. A holiday, visit to friends, etc. Maybe when your help is not available for a short period the amount you do will become clear. flowers

I read the article (thanks for the link) the article appeared to miss other comment she has made that I take issue with! the whole drop everything whenever your children want something narrative and the underlying opinion that your life matters less and has less value. I absolutely think we should help when we can but it is not our responsibility to do so its an extra and does not replace the underlying parental responsibilities. The article seem to focus narrowly on who should be instigating Contact with the grandchildren which is not really the issue of most of her videos

Truffle43 Wed 19-Aug-26 16:26:31

I think it is time your daughter learned to stand on her own 2 feet. You need to think about yourself more and refuse to give in to her.
You deserve respect and she needs to understand that what she is doing is wrong.
Believing everything on tic tock makes me think she must still believe in fairies.
you have done more than many would.
Tell her straight no respect No Help.
She should take a long hard look at herself as she is a selfish person who is treating you like a money bank and unpaid childcarer.
Take yourself off on holiday anywhere just go and let her sort herself out.

Jenthehen Thu 20-Aug-26 08:39:59

How selfish of your daughter, did you spoil her? I wouldn't give my career up for anyone. I only have one life I am not here to bring grandchildren up, it was her decision to have them did she ask your permission? Stop running after her she's an adult and time she acted like one.

Iam64 Thu 20-Aug-26 12:04:38

“Did you spoil her”

Classic victim blaming. Adults are responsible for their own behaviour

Madgran77 Thu 20-Aug-26 14:32:58

monami

Cut her off, she's deplorable

Dear me!

Welshy Sun 30-Aug-26 13:00:17

I understand where you are coming from. I also feel taken for granted. I am never shown any appreciation in all I have done, in the 8 years looking after my grandchild 3 times a week.
I am the paternal grandmother.

But I bite my tongue ..... Why? Because I know if I fell out with my son I would never see him or my grandchild again.

I also wonder if I will see much of either of them when my grandchild goes off to Comprehensive School anyway.

Yet my daughter who has no children, respects me & shows her appreciation on any help I give her.

Norah Sun 30-Aug-26 13:22:59

Perhaps, when asked to do or give say 'No thank you' every other time she makes a demand to your money or time? Slowly pull back.

Donenow1 Sun 06-Sept-26 21:55:35

Orchid60

I’m afraid that being taken for granted by our children to look after their children and give up some of our retirement time is something that this generation expects from us. I won’t say all my children are doing this but I have one that thinks a job, marriage, mortgage and 2 young children is a fashion accessory. They want it all but on their terms. They still want their nights out, they still want their hobbies but we have to stop for them.
They only seem to contact us when they want something. We’re suppose to drop any of our plans to accommodate them and they assume when we visit we bring gifts and pay for the takeaway because they do not know or want to cook a decent meal. I didn’t go back to work when I had mine, I stayed with them at home till they went to school and they had a proper meal everyday. We didn’t have a lot of money but we managed. Unfortunately my son married someone who didn’t get the same qualities offered to them and I dread the visits. I feel sorry for my grandchildren because anything I try to show them only happens with me. When they’re at home, there’s no structure, just a mess to live within.

I absolutely agree, this young generation seems to have utter entitlement to ongoing babysitting, nights out and think nothing of hightailing on holidays abroad leaving the children behind with "Granny". I don't agree with these new ways at all.

M0nica Sun 06-Sept-26 22:31:01

If either of my children even began to try to treat me like this. They would be out on their ear. If people have children it is up to them to look after them As for the quite despicable emotional blackmail she uses on you. Well, words fail me.

But, if she is acting like this it must have had a start point and the question is, Why did you not shut it down the moment this behaviour raised its ugly head. It has got to the point it has now because you let it. You have enabled her behaviour from start to finish

You are now in the very hard and difficult position of having to tell your daughter that enough is not just enough, it is far too much and you are phasing out all support for her. She must manage, as many another single parent does. Stop any financial help immediately. and tail off the physical help. When she rings to harangue you. Put the phone down. If she threatens you with estrangement let her get on with it.

You say this post is about these TikTok stuff about what a grandmothers do, but it isn't, it is about your domestic problems disguised to be a Tik Tok problem. The vast majority of mothers of young children would be disgusted by them.

The reason you posted is because despite the advice given in a previous thread you are still looking for a solution that will not involve you in any hassle with your daughter, one where all your problems miraculous disappear over night. That solution does not exist. The solution lies with you and only you.