Woman fumes as mother-in-law expects payment for spending time with her grandchild

The mother slammed the grandparent for wanting to be paid for her babysitting work, as her own grandmother would spend hours on end with the mum when she was a youngster

For lots of busy parents, caring grandparents are lifesavers. From helping round the house to babysitting little ones, there’s so much many of them do. One new parent who would likely agree adores her mother-in-law and says she is great with the couple’s 6-month-old baby.

But the parent was left flabbergasted when the retired relative asked for money when she babysits, thinking she should be paid for her time. Shocked by the request, the mum told Bright Side she has run out of options. Thankfully, the publication’s expert team were able to offer advice, which might give the mum some insight into what her next move should be.

Explaining her dilemma, the mum named Amy said she has been happily married to her partner for ten years, but their recent disagreement over his mum’s request is starting to take a toll on their relationship. As such, she was keen for advice. She described how her retired mother-in-law volunteered to babysit for the couple, who both work full-time.

“I truly appreciate her time and devotion and everything she does. She not only watches the baby but also does the dishes, cooks, and cleans,” the mum wrote.

However, the parent said she was shocked when the grandma “dared to ask” for payment, in a later conversation. “How dare she ask for money for precious time with her grandchild?” she questioned.

The mum added that her own grandmother spent hours babysitting her when she was a child, never expecting anything in return. However, her husband disagreed with her viewpoint, reasoning they would have to splash more cash if the grandma never volunteered and they needed to hire a babysitter.

In response, the experts were quick to advise the woman has an open, honest conversation about her feelings with the relative. They noted there may also be several reasons why the woman hoped to be paid, including that money is often a cause for concern for retirees.

“Most grandparents don’t expect to be paid for babysitting, however, it’s totally reasonable for them to get paid,” the advisors pointed out. “Caring for a child can be a full-time job.”

Who do you agree with? Let us know in the comments below