My daughter convinced me to go on vacation to the seaside: “All inclusive, Mom, you won’t have to do a thing.” I paid for the tickets myself. Upon arrival, I discovered I’d be staying with my grandchildren, while she and my son-in-law would be in a different building.

 

Sometimes I felt like I wasn’t on vacation, but back at work. Except now I wasn’t looking forward to a night shift, but to 24/7 care for two little ones.

 

The second day was exactly the same. And the third as well.

 

I tried to convince myself that I shouldn’t take it all personally. After all, they were my grandchildren. I loved them with all my heart.

 

But I was also human.

I also dreamed of swimming in the sea, reading a book on a deckchair and drinking at least one cup of coffee in peace before the water got cold.

 

Next to the children’s pool I met Elena, who came with her granddaughter and also spent every morning with her.

 

We chatted while the children built a sandcastle next to us.

 

“Did you come here to work too?” he joked, applying sunscreen to his granddaughter.