There are times in life when you have to think fast and find a remedy for a sudden problem. Thats exactly what happened to Emily.
My little boy is four now. Hes absolutely perfect in my eyes. Of course, I cant say hes a little angel all the time, but what child is? They all have a streak of mischief in them. Now, with another baby on the way, things were getting tricky.
At my last check-up at the GPs surgery, I was referred straight to hospitalthere was something to worry about and no time to delay. The big question was: who would look after my son in the meantime?
My husband was abroad on business and wouldnt be back for another ten days. My parents were tied up with work and there were simply no other family members to call on. Thats when my grandmother stepped in. She offered to mind my son until I was discharged from hospital. Ill admit I was worriedshes seventy, and my son is an absolute whirlwind. Would she manage?
We came up with a plan: my parents, who both work in the private sector, would take over after work, while my grandmother cared for him during the day. It seemed the only way.
Still, I couldnt rest easy. I rang my grandmother several times a day to check on them. To my surprise, my son and his great-grandmother got on like a house on fire. The days passed quickly, and soon enough, my husband was home to take the reins.
Just before I was due out of hospital, my sister rang, furious with me. Her daughter is two, and shed wanted desperately for our grandmother to look after her as well, but grandmother had refusedshe said the little one was too young for her to manage.
My sister practically begged her. Still, grandmother stood firm.
Youve taken advantage of grandmother! she told me crossly.
I replied, I was in a real bindI couldnt exactly take my son into hospital with me. I asked you for help as well, but you said no. And yet you wanted to leave your daughter with grandmother so you could have a bit of a break. Dont you see its not the same thing? A two-year-old is very different to a four-year-old. Would you really leave her with someone elderly? Wouldnt it be better to ask your in-laws, or even try to manage yourselves?
She sighed, They dont want to help, so Im left doing everything.
But I truly believe my sister is in the wrong. Four is a world away from two, and Id never choose to pass my son to a relative unless I had no alternative. Yet she insists I manipulated our grandmother.
Life doesnt always fall into neat categories. Sometimes we forgetfamily helps when times are tough, but that help should never be taken for granted. Understanding each others burdens is what keeps family bonds strong.
