Real-life. “You have a big pension”: My daughter regularly nags me, demanding expensive gifts for my grandchildren

I used to think I raised my daughter well. But now I have doubts.

As soon as I retired, Ela started looking into my wallet. First, she asked how much I was getting now. I receive a regular pension, and this year I also managed to recruit students for tutoring. I work in a nice room where I am my own boss.

The schedule is not too tight – my age is already visible. And I do not want to tear my life apart like I used to. Retirement has shown me that I have to value my health. I also help my daughter's family, but in moderation. I consider it my duty. I bring them food from the market, take them to the circus or water park.

Their parents rarely take them for a walk or for fun, considering it a waste of money. And I want to give my grandchildren some happy moments. Apparently, my daughter and son-in-law decided to play on my feelings. Ela has become completely impudent. Every time she comes to visit, she starts crying about her sad financial situation. I pretend to be shortsighted and not read her directions. I sighed sadly and agreed that the prices are really high now.

Ela realized that this was not the way to reach me and decided to approach me from a different angle – to play on my love for my grandchildren.

– Ignaś has a birthday next month — my daughter reminded me. – He told me he wanted a new phone. He chose the newest model…

I raised an eyebrow, indicating that I was surprised by the request. After all, just a month ago my daughter had said that their family was in savings mode — saving for a vacation. They want to fly closer to the sea for a whole month.

– Igor and I can't fulfill that request — Ela said sadly — and we don't want to get into debt.

I continued drinking my tea, wondering when I would hear that precious sentence.

– Don't you want to please your grandson a little and give him this phone? – said Ela finally, losing patience. – This will be a real birthday for him.

– I'm sorry, but I can't afford such expenses – I answered honestly. – Children that age don't know how to appreciate things yet.

– But you have a big pension! – my daughter attacked me. – You could help us a little, you wouldn't go bankrupt.
Ela started to insist that now the child would be left without a birthday present, would be very sad and would cry.

– Do you even have a heart? – she shouted when I refused her again. – You don't want to make your grandson happy!
I'm just outraged, I can't do that! It was as if I had signed a contract that I would support my daughter's family for the rest of my life. I reminded her that I wasn't sitting here with a pile of money and it didn't fall from the sky.
Last weekend I took my grandchildren on a boat trip. I spent my entire pension on them in two days and didn't take a penny from their parents. The children were absolutely delighted and shared their impressions with each other. To which my daughter just snorted.

– You offered to make them happy, but you didn't ask for a refund, she replied. – And generally speaking, as a grandmother, you're just obligated to spoil them!

My daughter ran home, seething with rage. She even left her gloves on my hall table. And I'm not even ashamed of my refusal. I think Ela doesn't feel the line between helping and extorting money from people.

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