Whenever I babysit my grandkids, my daughter-in-law insists I pay for the toilet paper I use. “This isn’t a free hotel,” she snapped once, while my son stood by and said nothing. I paid, smiled, and let it go.
But when they left for a weekend getaway, I decided to handle things differently. That Friday night, I ordered pizza for the kids and scheduled a full grocery delivery—snacks, drinks, and everything we could want. By Sunday evening, their fridge and pantry were completely stocked, all paid for by me.
The look on her face when she opened the refrigerator was priceless. I hadn’t just replaced what we used—I’d filled their kitchen with high-quality food, including the snacks she always says are “too expensive.” The kids were thrilled, happily munching away and thanking me.
My son looked embarrassed but stayed quiet.
I left every receipt neatly on the counter with a note explaining what I’d spent on “not being a freeloader.” It turned out to be more than they usually spend on groceries in a month.
Since then, she hasn’t said a word about charging me for toilet paper, though I can tell she’s still annoyed. Meanwhile, the kids light up whenever I visit, knowing I’ll bring something special.
I adore my grandchildren, but I shouldn’t have to pay to babysit for free. Now I’m trying to figure out how to stay close to them without letting their mother’s pettiness get in the way.