"Now, let's lay down some facts: my mother has never watched our children for an extended period, either alone or with her new husband. She lives more than five hours away from us and still works, so when we visit during the summer or for the holidays, my whole family often stays for a week to try to maximize our time with her."
"Our relationship has also changed dramatically in the last 10 years. Losing my little brother to suicide and then weathering my parents' tumultuous divorce were difficult for us both, and it weakened our bond. Then, the pandemic coincided with early motherhood, which I experienced in isolation. All of these things were contributing factors to the dissipation of our once Gilmore Girls-like closeness."
A couple planned a four-day trip to Seattle and needed childcare for their 3- and 5-year-olds. Mother-in-law pulled out unexpectedly, prompting them to ask the maternal grandmother, who lives over five hours away and still works. The parents' relationship with the grandmother had weakened after family tragedies, divorce, and pandemic isolation. Despite nerves and lack of prior extended childcare experience, the grandmother cared for the children successfully. The successful caregiving eased parental anxiety and allowed the couple to travel, while offering an opportunity to rebuild family connection.
Read at Business Insider
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