“I love you all dearly, and I want to be a part of the twins’ lives,” I said. “But I also need time for myself, to pursue my interests, to relax in my retirement. Being a grandma means sharing joy and creating memories, not filling in as a stand-in parent every day.”

My son nodded, though he looked a bit surprised.

My daughter-in-law, on the other hand, seemed taken aback. “I didn’t realize you felt this way,” she admitted after a moment of silence. “We just thought you loved spending time with them.”

“And I do,” I replied gently. “But it’s about quality, not quantity. I want to enjoy every moment I spend with them, not feel overwhelmed by responsibilities.”