The day began like any other.
I thought it would be a quiet afternoon, a much needed break and some peace after a chaotic week. But I knew little, things were about to turn, which would let me question everything. I was disproportionate, or was I right to trust my instincts?
My husband Peter asked his mother Melissa to come and watch our three -month -old daughter Emily to take a nap. Melissa and I didn’t have exactly the hottest relationship. It wasn’t that she was bad, but she had talent to make me feel like I was constantly tried. Yet the idea was finally getting a continuous sleep too tempting.
Melissa grabbed her purse and attacked from the house.
It all started when my husband, Peter, asked his mother Melissa to come and watch our three -month -old daughter Emily, so I could relax.
Melissa and I have never been very close. It wasn’t that she was kind, but she had a way to feel like I was constantly judged. Yet the idea of peaceful naps was too tempting to pass on.
Recently Emily did not sleep well and I was completely exhausted.
After Peter spoke to her on the phone, Melissa agreed to come for a few hours and even offered dinner, which I appreciated.
I managed to get Emily to nap and headed to bed. But I was awakened by my daughter’s loud crying.
In panic, I reached over the phone to check the time, but it wasn’t where I left it. Even the children’s monitor depicted an empty screen.
I went out of bed and ran to Emily’s crib, where I found her cry and remained alone. I quickly changed her diaper, which Melissa clearly ignored.
When I carried Emily with me, I searched the house. The living room was empty and the kitchen was also quiet.
Then I saw Melissa stand out, talk over the phone and laughter.
I quickly put Emily back in her crib, attacked the back door and opened it. Melissa jumped and almost threw her phone in her hand. “Oh, Alicia. You’re awake,” she said carelessly.
“Why did my daughter cry when you talked on the phone?” I demanded. “And why do you have my phone?”
“I was talking to Peter,” she replied as if it were the most natural thing in the world. “He called your phone and I didn’t want to wake you up, so I took it out.”
“You disconnected the child’s monitor, right?” I gave off. “That’s why I couldn’t hear her.”
Melissa sighed. “Yes, I disconnected it. You needed to relax and I thought if she cried, it might wake you up. But when I got out, she didn’t cry.”
“How long have you been on the phone?” I asked and my voice rose.
“Thirty -seven minutes,” she replied unwillingly.
“Did you leave her in the room for thirty -seven minutes?” I said and felt my rage. “You realize what you did? She cried when I picked her up!”
“She didn’t cry all the time,” Melissa retorted, and now it sounded defensive. “And the kids are crying, alicia. It’s not a big problem. Honestly, you are going to be going. You should be grateful to help you.”
I was amazed by her reaction.
“Grateful?” I said my voice was trembling with frustration. “You were supposed to help me, Melisso. Instead you left my daughter alone and took my phone -“
“Well, Peter wanted to check you,” she said. “I did a favor by letting you sleep!”
“It wasn’t a kindness!” I shot back. “You took my phone, disconnected the monitor and left Emily alone. If I didn’t wake up who knew how long you would have been on the phone!”
“You’re dramatic, Alicia. Just calm down,” she said.
“I’m not calm, Melisso,” I said firm. “You have to leave. Now.”
Meliss’s eyes spread. “What? You kick me out?”
“Yes, I’m. I don’t trust you that I will take care of Emily,” I said, and my voice with stable.
She looked at me. “After all I have done for you?”
“Leave. And don’t knock if there’s no Peter,” I repeated.
I went back to Emily’s room, lifted her and held her in my arms. When I stood there, I wondered if I exaggerated. What would Peter think when he found out what happened?
When Peter returned home next evening, he kissed my face and asked how we were doing.
“We’re okay,” I replied even though I couldn’t hide my frustration. “Emily was a little upset, but we go.”
Peter took Emily from me and spoke quietly to her, “Hey, Princess, Tivin Home.”
“Peter,” I started, “we have to talk about your mother. She came yesterday to help, but things couldn’t do well.”
“What do you mean?” he asked. “She said she would watch Emily and prepare dinner to rest.”
“She disconnected the child’s monitor, took my phone out, and left Emily alone in her crib for more than thirty minutes while she was talking to you,” I said, and felt the rise of anger again.
“She told me she replied to your phone because you slept and didn’t want to disturb you,” Peter said, explaining her party.
“She didn’t answer it, Peter,” I snapped. “She took my phone out and left our daughter unattended. I woke up to hear Emily cry while your mom laughed at the phone.”
Peter sighed, clearly frustrated. “There was no shame, Alicia. She tried to help you relax.”
“And do you think it helped?” I interrupted. “She disconnected the monitor and took my phone. How will it help?”
“But you didn’t have to kick her up!” He claimed, his tone irritated.
“How can you defend it, Peter, after all she did?” I demanded.
“She came to help us, Alice,” he said. “She didn’t have to come, but she did it because you and Emily care about you. And now, thanks to you, she feels as if she’s been no longer welcome.”
“Do you mean it?” I said and shook my head. “Are you trying to feel her feelings than what she actually did?”
“I’m just saying you could do better,” he said. “The situation feels pretty bad. Don’t be surprised if it never offers help again.”
“Okay,” I said quietly, turning away from him.
Peter sighed again, sat down with Emily, and gently swung her. I stood there for a while, and I felt an emotional distance between us.
That night, when I lay in bed, I couldn’t stop playing our argument in my head. Maybe I could do things differently. Maybe I shouldn’t dig Melissa.
But every time I thought she laughed on the phone while my daughter cried, my determination just stiffened.
I wasn’t sure if I decided correctly or if I burned the bridge, I regret later. I knew my daughter deserved better.
Was I wrong?
Finally, I found out that I was questioning if my reaction was too hard. Meliss’s behavior was incredibly worrying and I couldn’t shake my daughter crying while she was alone. I understand that she might not have intended, but I had to feel that my daughter’s cool was her priority, especially when she offered help. Peter’s defense made me feel even more isolated in my frustration, because it seemed to prefer her feelings over what was the best for our family.
I may have swept through it by kicking it, but my daughter’s safety and comfort came first. At that moment I had to decide and as hard as it was, I stood on the ground. Whether I was wrong or not, I would do anything to ensure that Emily would never be in such a situation. In the end, my actions were driven by the desire to protect my daughter, and that is the most important thing for me.