I Babysat My Grandkids Daily for Free. Then My Son Said I Was “Owed Nothing,” So I Snapped Back 😈

For two years, I wiped noses, packed lunches, and played superhero every single weekday—for free. I hit pause on my life so my son and his wife could live theirs, chasing promotions and pretending they had it all together. They called me “amazing,” “selfless,” and “a second mom” to their kids. Then I asked for a little help—just a few bills after a tight month. My son didn’t even blink before saying, “You’re owed nothing. You chose to do this.” The next morning, their perfect routine crumbled—and I hadn’t even started teaching them the real lesson yet.

The next morning, I dragged myself out of bed and shuffled to the kitchen. Every weekday started the same, making breakfast for Emma and Jake. "Cereal, Nana!" Jake chirped, his brown eyes sparkling with mischief. Emma was still rubbing sleep from her eyes, a sleepy mess. A splash of milk, a sprinkle of sugar, and two bowls later, the morning chaos was handled. I smiled, watching them eat while sipping my coffee, trying to hide my tiredness.

While Emma and Jake were munching away, I turned my attention to lunch preparation. Standard sandwiches, with a twist of course, because what’s a lunch sandwich without love in the form of little notes? "Remember, Grandma loves you!" The notes were silly yet heartfelt reminders that someone was cheering them on. “What’s mine say today, Nana?” Emma asked, her blue eyes wide with curiosity. I just winked, adding an extra cookie for good measure.

After dropping the kids at school, I made my way to Lisa’s office for a quick lunch. “How’s work?” I asked, trying to keep things light. She sighed, rolling her eyes. “Busy as ever, Mom. I barely get a moment to myself.” I just nodded, biting into my sandwich while she continued about her endless to-do lists. She didn’t realize yet, but things were about to get interesting for all of them. I kept my own secrets close.