Dear Blake,
I work two jobs and took time off from my second job so I could watch my four grandchildren for a week while my daughter and her husband had to go out of state. I stayed at their home. They did call the 14-year-old daily, but never once called or spoke to me during that time. Am I being cranky or is that disrespectful?
Signed, Amy
From Trenton, New Jersey
* * * * * * * *
Dear Amy,
I feel it was very disrespectful for your daughter and son-in-law to snub you while you were doing them a favor. In this case, the best thing to do if it happens again, is to make you daughter wish you would’ve put her up for adoption as an infant. Ok, this is what I propose. If they subject you to that kind of treatment again, give them a bill when they come to pick up the kids at about $25.00 per hour for, 24 hours each day. If they refuse to pay, take then to small claims court, and any judge that has grandchildren will probably rule on your behalf, and just might add some punitive damages for pain and suffering. Or, lock the kids up in their rooms 23 hours per day like inmates in a maximum security prison. And the next time their parents suggest that you will be their sitter for a few days, the kids will immediately have panic attacks, unless they faint first. Here’s another idea that’ll make a statement. Rent the scariest dvds you can find and only play them at night. Tell them if they don’t watch the movies with you, then they won’t eat, so their options are either starve to death or get frightened to death. But if you want to stay away from traumatizing them, you can teach them about culture, specifically art. You can show them some of the creations by Picasso, Monet, Van Gogh and some of the other masters. And then give the kids some paint and paint brushes, and let them show you if they have the potential of being gifted artists, with the canvas being the walls, the carpet, and every large screen tv in the house. I hope this helps.
Blake