When Grandparents Don't Help

Maybe your mom doesn't seem to want time with your kids, or your in-laws would help but live too far away, or every visit comes with a comment about your family size or how you parent. Maybe you've watched a friend's mom swoop in after a new baby to cook and clean and hold everything together, and felt the sting of not having that. I've been doing this parenting thing mostly without family help too, so I'm walking you through the two kinds of work that bring me back to peace: sitting with Jesus, and the coaching side of clear requests, quiet boundaries, and catching my mind when it starts to spiral. WHAT WE COVER IN THIS EPISODE: Why someone can disagree with your parenting (or your family size) and still deeply love you, and why it feels so threatening anyway Park bench Jesus: telling the Lord how unfair it all is while looking at His wounds, and watching the hurt lose its hold How to make a clean request, and why a yes with a little annoyance mixed in still counts as love Quiet boundaries you never have to announce, for the "well, you chose this" comments and for family who want more access than you can give The deal I made with myself for when I catch myself ruminating (my brain always picks the Wedding at Cana) Giving equal airtime to what's wonderful about your parents and in-laws, including the hard parts that made you who you are EPISODE TIMELINE: [00:00] – Why we read family approval as proof of love [04:00] – The mom who doesn't want to watch the kids, and the superhero grandma down the street [07:00] – Park bench Jesus, His wounds, and hugging your family in heaven [11:00] – The theological work, the coaching work, and "let your yes be yes" [15:00] – Boundaries for "you chose this" and for family who show up unannounced [19:00] – Feeling the grief, accepting your cards, and the rosary deal for rumination [22:00] – What's amazing about them, and the love you're really chasing LINKS AND RESOURCES MENTIONED: Catholic Mom Calm: https://catholicmomcalm.com Diary of St. Faustina: https://amzn.to/4iylkLq