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Estranged from daughter and granddaughter

User Profile: amiableKitten6944
amiableKitten6944 December 17th, 2021

I’m 43 y/o grandmother to a 2 1/2 month old girl. My daughter became pregnant at 19 and the father is not involved. I was disappointed initially but as expected, I became very involved once I processed the pregnancy. I went to every dr appt, was in the delivery room for the birth and my daughter and granddaughter lived with me. Three weeks ago, my daughter began acting odd, was leaving me with the baby to go out, not returning home at times, nor calling to check on baby. I learned she was smoking pot (which I’m not opposed to but in this instance it’s inappropriate), getting high and driving with the baby. She had been seeing a new guy who has since been arrested for drug offenses. She was having sex before she even got birth control implant after delivery.


I admittedly flew off the handle because of her safety and the baby’s safety. I had to resort back to her younger teenage years and put rules for my home in place. They were not unreasonable- if she had plans to go out, she would need to ask me to babysit instead of assume I would do it. There would be no dating until birth control was implanted. The chores that she used to help with had been neglected recently so she was instructed to resume those (she has not returned to work or school). She was irate and dramatic and told me to “take the baby and keep her because I can’t handle this”. I did for 2 days while she lay in bed pouting. She suddenly decided to leave with the baby and text me some horrible messages, things she never would have said to me directly, and it hurt but I thought she would realize running the streets with a newborn was not ideal. Instead of returning home, she and the baby have moved in with her paternal grandparents, who she has had no relationship with as the grandfather sexually molested her and the grandparents kidnapped all three of my children in their childhood. I spent 15 years in and out of court trying to keep them away from my children. I believe she has done this to hurt me, knowing it would tear my heart out to go without them while they are staying with people that don’t even know either of them. She has let me get the baby once since they left. We had planned for the baby to stay with me this weekend and now my daughter won’t answer calls or text messages at all. I remember how painful it was when my children were kidnapped and I was helpless until the law intervened. Somehow, it’s almost worse not seeing my granddaughter nor hearing from them. I don’t know if I should let it go and wish the best for them, or if I should persist. I can’t endure the mixed messages (you can keep the baby; never mind you cannot keep her) and I believe my daughter is going to put me through that forever if I try to keep them in my life.

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User Profile: Linognathus
Linognathus December 17th, 2021

This is very difficult to read without feeling sad. I feel bad for what you are going through. I think your daughter probably is feeling quite miserable herself, being a mum at a very young age. You’ve been a very good mother to your daughter, being by her side through all the hard times. It’s very respectable to me. Your daughter has been irresponsible of her to let you become a babysitter for the baby without asking your willingness. You only supposed to help her as a single mother, but she make it like the baby is your responsibility alone. That just not right.

I know you care about your granddaughter so much, and your daughter too. But it seems like she doesn’t want you anymore. Forcing her to did the right thing (birth control, not going out with shady guy) wouldn’t get you anywhere that you wanted it seems. I think the best you can do is to be calm in this moment. It’s hard, but I think the reason she doesn’t want to come back to you because she doesn’t feel emotionally safe with you.

My advice would be to show her that you love her and be a safe space for her. Don’t judge her or blame her. I believe she is also in a bad condition mentally that leads her to do such thing. Being 21 means enjoying life, but she has to take care of a baby. Things must be hard for her too that she rebelled by getting high and stuff.

Afterall this is just my personal view. In the end, you as a mother knows right what to do. I believe all mothers want the best for her children. You’re a good mother for trying to get back with your daughter and your granddaughter and worry about them. I wish your daughter realize how much you care about her and her girl :) *hugs

User Profile: Clio9876
Clio9876 August 19th, 2023

@amiableKitten6944

It seems to me that being a mother is a massive test of patience. It's obvious that you care about both your daughter and granddaughter. To some extent you need to let them live their own lives and make their own mistakes. But I can totally understand that you want to protect them. And it is totally fair that they follow your rules while living in your house. But if someone can't keep to those rules, it does run the risk of pushing them away.

It's difficult because if you try to help, you could end up being pushed even further away.

Do mothers in your country get any post birth support? If so, I wonder if you could share your concerns with them. Sometimes someone who isn't emotionally involved can achieve something when we can't.

Best wishes.