My daughter-in-law has two kids from her previous marriage and one with my son. She asked me to babysit while she worked. I agreed to watch my grandson but told her I’d need to be paid for her other children. The next day, I arrived to find the locks changed and the door locked.
She told me I was no longer welcome, accusing me of treating her kids differently. I explained that babysitting all three was overwhelming, especially since I’m retired, but I’d be happy to care for my grandson. Now, there’s tension in the family, and my son is stuck trying to mediate. I feel hurt and guilty but also believe my boundaries should be respected. How do I fix this without causing more conflict?