Care and Feeding

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Care and Feeding is Slate’s parenting advice column. Have a question for Care and Feeding? Submit it here .

Dear Care and Feeding,

My daughter, “Amy,” is married to a worthless reprobate, “John.” Last week, I was at my book club when I received a text from my 8-year-old grandson, “Harlan.” His soccer practice had ended and John was more than an hour late in picking him up. Harlan had tried to reach him, but received no response, and my daughter was out of town on a business trip. I rushed over and got him. When we arrived back at his house, we found John passed out drunk in front of the TV and the baby screaming in her crib in a dirty diaper.

As soon as I took care of the kids, I contacted my daughter and described what I discovered. Instead of being outraged, she made excuses for John and asked if I could keep an eye on the kids until she got back the following morning.…