I sat at the kitchen table, looking at the phone. < img src = "https://zycie.news/crrops/56d09e/620x0/1/0/2024/11/29/0lssoddhxXVujm0beh0beh46nkl9b21wop20tnmcxhphph.jpg" alt = "old lady @pexels" styles = "background-color: rgba (122,110,115.1)" > < p > I just talked to C & Amp; Oacute; She screamed. She was furious. She told me that I was an egoist.

< p > because I had to deal with her children.

< p > I devoted my whole life to my family.

< p > When Kasia was born, I quit my job to be with her at all the time. Then Tomek was born, and my life turned into an endless list of duties & oacute; w. Cooking, laundry, cleaning, lessons, crying, diseases, sleepless nights.

< p > m & oacute; Jer worked, earned money. And I ?

< p > I was the one who devoted everything to everything.

< p > I didn't complain. I thought that this is what the mother's life looks like.

< p > but when the children adult and moved out, I was hoping that now m & oacute; j time.

< P >I dreamed of resting. Can go to the sea, sign up for a painting course, read a book in peace.

< p > I had no idea that for my children I would still be just a babysitter.

< p > first it was subtle.

< p > — Mom, you could pick up Ola from kindergarten ? sp < p > — Mom, you could stay with Winnie for the weekend ? We want to go out with my husband.

< p > I always agreed.

After all, what a problem is the help of & oacute; c children ?

< p > but then it was no longer a request.

< p > it became a duty.

< p > — Mom, you have time. This is not a problem for you to take care of your grandchildren.

< p > — Mom, I don't understand why you resist. It is normal that grandma helps.

< p > — Mom, how can you be so selfish ?!

< p > and I sat and listened to these words with oacute; in the growing b & oacute; lem in the heart.

< p > I devoted everything to them.

< p > I gave them my whole life.

< p > And now, when I wanted a moment for myself, they treated me like a lazy parasite, which & oacute; ry does not want & bdquo; to fulfill the duties of & oacute; in grandmother & rdquo;. > < p > today I said: & no. < p > I won't be a nanny every day.

< p > I will not give up my own life.

< p > I will not let my children take my next years, just as they took my youth from me.

< p > and you know what I heard ?

< p > — If you do not want to help your family, do not count that we will help you when you are old.

< p > I look at the phone.

< p > silence.

< p > children were offended.

< p > Maybe they will never speak.

< p > but for the first time in many years I feel something new.

< p > freedom.

Natasha Kumar

By Natasha Kumar

Natasha Kumar has been a reporter on the news desk since 2018. Before that she wrote about young adolescence and family dynamics for Styles and was the legal affairs correspondent for the Metro desk. Before joining The Times Hub, Natasha Kumar worked as a staff writer at the Village Voice and a freelancer for Newsday, The Wall Street Journal, GQ and Mirabella. To get in touch, contact me through my natasha@thetimeshub.in 1-800-268-7116