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Grandparenting

Daughter prioritises her dad and partner

(8 Posts)
Tldcookie Tue 03-Jun-25 10:30:04

Last year as been a really bad time as I was cheated on and he left im still healing. Me and my daughter have a really close bond and I'm very close to her daughter ( my first grandchild) recently she's spent alot of time with her dad and his partner. I spend lots of time with my daughter which I'm so grateful for. She's going in hospital to have her baby and I said I'm here if you want me to look after * which will include a night stay. She always said she'd feel ok her being here.Shes now mafe the decision with her partner to let her dad and partner have * . I wish I wasn't bothered but I feel hurt. I feel like they don't trust me. It's such a kick in the teeth that my ex husbands wife will be watching my grandchild not me. Please give me encouragement words to try and see this differently 🙏

Ilovecheese Tue 03-Jun-25 10:52:41

Could she be thinking that you would be free to support her at the birth if she needed you? You couldn't go to her if you were babysitting.

NotSpaghetti Tue 03-Jun-25 11:15:31

There could be any number of reasons for this.

I'm sorry you feel like this.
Grandparenting isn't a competition and you'll always be your daughter's mum.

Congratulations on grandchild number 2 and all good wishes for a straightforward labour and healthy baby for your daughter.

Lathyrus3 Tue 03-Jun-25 11:30:15

I guess she’s secure in her bond with you and is now trying to build some bridges with her dad, perhaps trying to deal with the negative emotions she felt when he left.

She’s mature enough to recognise that he still has a part to play as her children’s grandad.

You’ve done a really good job raising a person like this. Now it’s working to your disadvantage a bit. I don’t expect she meant to hurt you for a moment.

Astitchintime Tue 03-Jun-25 11:34:45

Being a grandparent is a privilege not a competition. Your DD might feel that she could possibly need you at the birth, she might feel more confident that her child is being cared for by two people instead of just you on your own…….either way, this is her choice. Please do not damage your relationship with her by objecting to the OW having contact with your DGC.

Magenta8 Tue 03-Jun-25 12:08:32

You don't mention if your DD has partner or not. If she does, then presumably they will be the birth partner but you will probably be called upon for babysitting and generally helping out after the birth and you will have the enjoyment of getting to know the new baby.

You must still, understandably, be feeling very hurt and raw about the break up. Women do not usually stay in hospital very long these days so your ex and his new partner would probably only be babysitting for a short while.

My experience of extended families is that is best for the children to have everybody on board who cares about them and for them to be, at least superficially, as amicable with each other as possible. I know this will be very hard for you in view of what happened you to through no fault of your own.

I wish you all the best for the future. You are obviously a very caring and sensitive person. Your daughter is very lucky to have you and your grandchildren, present and future, are lucky too.

Elowen33 Tue 03-Jun-25 12:43:09

Her dad is looking after the child rather than her mum, maybe she loves you equally and trusts both of you with the child. You dont say how old the child is but the child could have asked to stay with their grandfather.

Magenta8 Tue 03-Jun-25 13:36:22

Sorry, you did say in the title of your thread that DD has a partner.blush Anyway, all the best to you and yours.