I’m Clara, 65, and my grandchildren are my world, but when my daughter-in-law, Megan, started leaving them at my house during my beloved book club without asking, I knew I had to step up. My clever plan showed her the value of respect and brought peace back to my special time.
Since my husband passed three years ago, I’ve lived alone in the home where I raised my kids, keeping my days full of purpose. My son, Nathan, and his wife, Megan, live nearby with their energetic toddlers, Lily and Owen. My daughter, far away with her family, visits less often. I love helping with Lily and Owen—school pickups, sick days, or work emergencies. When Owen had a fever, I cooked broth for days; when Lily was teething, I rocked her so Megan could rest. It’s what grandmas do, and I wouldn’t change it.
But I wanted a piece of joy for myself. I started a monthly book club with friends, where we dive into novels, debate plots, and share laughs. It’s my time to be Clara, the reader, not just Grandma. Megan didn’t take it seriously. “A book club? That’s so cute,” she said, her tone dismissive. I told her about our latest thriller, but she switched to asking for daycare help, brushing off my passion.
At our first book club, as I set out tea and cookies, Megan’s car pulled up. She rushed Lily and Owen out, saying, “Just a quick watch, Clara!” I reminded her about book club. “Your reading thing? I’ll be back soon!” she said, leaving no snacks or toys. Toddlers turned my meeting into chaos—Owen spilled juice, Lily tossed books. My friends helped, but our discussion was lost.
When Megan did it again, my friend Jane said, “She’s taking advantage, Clara.” My friend Ruth added, “You need boundaries.” They were right. Megan saw my book club as a babysitting inconvenience. The next time she dropped them off, I waited ten minutes, then drove to her yoga class. Smiling, I walked in with Owen on my hip. “Hey, Megan! Need you to watch them,” I said, copying her tone. I left them by her mat as her class stared.
I repeated this at her salon and brunch, saying, “Just a few hours, right?” After I showed up at her coffee shop meet-up, Megan snapped, “You can’t ruin my plans!” I stayed calm. “Oh, plans? Like my book club? Ask politely, give notice, and I’ll help. Keep this up, and I’ll keep bringing them.” She was silent, stunned.
My book club is now peaceful, and I’m proud I stood up for my time, keeping family love strong with respect.
