Should u have 2 pay a grandparent 2 babysit ur kids

Nakethia - posted on 05/03/2009

Absolutely not. Its thier granchildren not just any child.

Trish - posted on 05/03/2009

I wouldn't, but then I don't know what's going on in Grandma's home.

Sarah - posted on 05/03/2009

no! i think its nice of you for not wanting money.

i don't think a grandparent should charge for looking after her own grandchildren!!



ilive with my mum and she wouldn't charge me .. she'll happily babysit for free .. loves my son to bits

Amy - posted on 05/03/2009

There's too many grandparents out there that don't realise that babysitting their grandchildren is a priviledge not a right...

Angela - posted on 05/03/2009

It depends on the situation if she truly cannot pay then you are doing the right thing. However i know single moms who say they can't pay a babysitter because they want to keep their extra money to party with i would watch how she spends her money cause if she if carelessly blowing it then she should be able to pay for child care. I pay my parents to help with my son because it's a whole lot cheaper than trying to find a full time sitter.

Lisa - posted on 05/03/2009

I believe it would be rude not to offer. If they don't want to take it, well enjoy it.

Michelle - posted on 05/03/2009

Hell NO. Maybe a few weeks of not seeing her grandkids on such a regular basis will wake her cheap ass up.

Stacy - posted on 05/03/2009

Only time you should pay relative is if it like daycare

Heather - posted on 05/03/2009

My mom voluntarily offers to babysit our little guy..asking for no money nor expecting it...personally I think it's pretty sad that a grandmother is setting conditions on babysitting her own grandchild....whatever happened to unconditional love??? I know with my mom that we will take her out for lunch or buy her goodies as a token of thanks..even then she doesn't babysit him on a regular basis. Ship your kiddies this way...my sons grandma will do it for FREE : ) PS you are NOT WRONG for doing it for free...good karma to you!!!

Shakita - posted on 05/03/2009

YES YOU SHOULD GIVE THEM SOMETHING JUST BECAUSE THERE THE GRANDPARENT DOES NOT MEAN THAT THEYARE YOUR BABYSITTER THEY TOOK CARE OFTHEIR KIDS THAT WHY ITS YOUR KID

Jessica - posted on 05/03/2009

If grandma watches the baby all day every day, I think she should get paid.
Other than that she should do it for free. WOW!
You are right. I help my friends and sister in law with baby sitting too and I would never ask them for money!

Emyli - posted on 05/03/2009

i don't think u should pay your parents to watch their own grandkids

Tammy - posted on 05/03/2009

grandparents is just that they should be proud to keep them not ask for money im not the wealthest person in the world and i keep mine every chance i get cause i love them and want to be with them

Esther - posted on 05/03/2009

Further to my note, I understand that there can be exceptional circumstances, losing a job, medical issues that cause financial difficulty etc, but I have a problem with people having children when they are already on shaky ground financially and just assume that others will be there to help them out. It's your child, your responsibility.

Heidi - posted on 05/03/2009

yea, unless she does daycare for her only income, that is ridiculous. My husbands parents watch our three month every friday and saturday night and sunday afternoon while we are at work and they say that is still not enough time!! I hope this lady figures out these are her grandchildren and not a money ticket

Esther - posted on 05/03/2009

My friend pays her mother $1600 a month to watch her child while she is at work. That is approximately the same she would pay a daycare. I think there is something to be said for that. I don't think you should have to pay a grandparent if it's occassional babysitting, but if it's a standing arrangement, I don't think that's wrong. Also, and I know I won't make myself popular saying this, I don't think you should have children if you cannot afford to pay for them or if you have to depend on favors from others to provide what they need (and clearly they need more than food and clothes only, they need someone to care for them 24/7). This is why I'm only having one child.

Stacey - posted on 05/03/2009

Holy Cow! I have to try to remember which Grandparent has had my baby the most recently so I will call the other to babysit so that I don't hurt anyone's feelings. That is crazy for a grandparent to not want to help out in a situation like that. Unless grandma is out of work and looking for a job and needs the money, I see no reason to have to pay her.

Krista - posted on 05/03/2009

i never have to wonder if he is being changed or fed. my oldest she will be 18 this year and my mother watched her. she is a good kid never had any problems. i work 3rd shift. i dont mind. it helps them and they help me.

Daenelle - posted on 05/03/2009

He will be taking care of and loved with a day care worker. but I do understand where your comin from. I felt the same way but but when your child grows up and you cant understand a thing they say at the age of 3 or 4 u will wonder why. b/c they need to be around other kids and other people. they need to be learning thing instead of sleeping and eating all day.

Krista - posted on 05/03/2009

well i guess it comes down to each person. I do it cuz i want to not cuz my mother ask me to.

Daenelle - posted on 05/03/2009

hell naw. im not paying my mother to watch my son. the only person i pay is my sister.

Krista - posted on 05/03/2009

i think yes i pay my mother $50.00 a week to watch my son he will be 8 months old. i look at it like this my mother raised me. out of respected why not. gives them some extra money for them selfs saves me money if i had to put him in day care it would be $100 to $150 a week. she is helping me so why not help her and give her something. at least i know my son is being taken care of and is being loved.

Anastasia - posted on 05/03/2009

I think it depends more on the situation. My mom watches DS 3 days a week at my home and he goes to daycare 2 days a week because I work full time. I pay them both. But she has never asked for money for occasional babysitting while we go out (in which case we take him to her house). I also think if we were in a financial situation where we couldn't afford to pay her, she would probably do it for free.

Pat - posted on 05/03/2009

it's sad BUT maybe she really NEEDS the money... has anyone asked if she is okay?

Angela - posted on 05/03/2009

good grief. no way should she be expected to pay grandma to spend time with grandkids. if she was babysitting in place of a childminder 5 days a week then i'd maybe understand but otherwise it should be a joy for her not a paid job. you are being a great friend helping out. hoepfully grandma will come round in the end.

Christy - posted on 05/03/2009

Ok I was going 2 start wacthing the kids last yr, but their grandma said no cause she wanted 2 , I told thier mom that was fine, well grandma did it for 2 days for free, on the 3rd day told thier mom she would have 2 pay a little bit while every week what she wanted payed would go up. By time it was getting 2 where mom was having a hard time paying her & the bills I already had a full time job at a facotry working 7 days a week I didn't even get much time w my kids so I couldn't start babysitting for her my boy freind lost is job I was the only on working I have 3 kids of my own so I had 2 keep my job, she understood though, but if I did by some chance get a weekend off I would baby sit I would like my girls help me then I would pay my girls a little bit of money out of my pocket for helping me we live by the dollar store my girls where happy w 5 dollars a piece they go over by candy something 2 drink, but now I am laid off from job and am able 2 help out more, beleave me I could use any extra amount of money but I know how it is 2 struggle w/ bills cause I am now plus they r family & I enjoy the time w/ them

Christina - posted on 05/03/2009

no she doesnt have to pay her anything thats just really sad to hear that a grand parent would only look after the kids if she got paid thats wrong should do it for love not money

Denise - posted on 05/03/2009

my daughter pays me for her 2 girls. i have them 6 days one week an 4 the next. i don't work cause i take care of them. my daughter makes me take money cause she says she would have to give it to someone eles an would rather help me. however if she is low on money one week an ask if she can pay half or next week than i say sure an if she just can't than thats ok to. it takes my time an if i have things to do than i have to find someone to watch them or take them with me. i raised 3 daughters an now i just want to be grandma not mom. its hard work. if i want the kids for a speacial day than thats my choice as grandma . i told my daughter if she has another one they have to go to day care. we grandmas get tired an need breaks to. i feel if its to hard to pay for daycare stop having children. i love my grandaughters with my whole heart but its still a job.

Patricia - posted on 05/02/2009

I am a Mom to 4 kids. Between the 4 kids there are 6 grankids with 2 more on the way this summer. I quit my job to watch my first grandson while his parents worked. They offered me money to watch him if I would quit work. So I quit my job....they would have to pay a daycare anyway and that could amount to a lot of money....I would rather they paid me then to have to pay a stranger to take care of them. You never know what kind of people are taking care of them, afterall, you hear about child death everyday from their babysitters. I felt terrible taking their money but they insisted! They were so grateful that I would take good care of them with no worries while they were at work. They ended up having 2 more kids and I took care of them also....drove them to pre-school...outings for school...etc,etc. I enjoyed also being there for them and still do. As my other children began having their kids, I then got paid to watch them also...ACCORDING TO WHAT THEY COULD AFFORD! And I will also watch them for free on occasion depending what the situation is. But my belief is, if you do this for free then they tend to take advantage of you. I had, at one time, been watching 5 of the 6....two of those were babies only 5 months a part....and it wasn't a walk on the beach let me tell ya...but I would NO WAY have strangers taking care of them. My husband is retired and the extra money comes in handy....as another post said...I usually end up spending the money on the grandkids in one way or another anyway. I always have the shelves stocked for them with the goodies and so forth....or new toys. Since I watch them during the week I request that they don't ask me to watch them on the weekends....I do need time for myself.....again, depending on the situation. In answer to the question...I feel that No you shouldn't have to pay a grandparent to watch the kids occasionally....but if it is a full time situation, you would be paying someone else anyway so why not someone you can trust and have peace of mind. Just a little side note....2 of my kids live within very close walking distance so it's not like I never get to see these grankids. I love them all and wouldn't have it any other way. Grandparents should never be taken advantage of because the kids feel it's their place....that's ridiculous!

Stephanie - posted on 05/02/2009

I did at one point pay my mom to watch my kids. But I had extra money & she needed some. She never asked for it.. I chose to pay her. She always told me not to.

Stephanie - posted on 05/02/2009

I asked all of my kids grandparents what they think... all said they love time with their grandkids & would never think to charge to watch them. I can understand if it's an everyday thing but at 3 days a month that grandma should be slapped! Most grandparents would do anything to spend that much time with their grandchildren. Don't feel bad for watching them for free & don't take her crap. In my opinion, if she doesn't want to watch them for free I wouldn't take my children to see her at all. Money seems to be more important to her.

Cynthia - posted on 05/02/2009

No! my mom babysits for free...she even changed her schedule at work so I could go back to school to better myself...now his mom on the other hand used to charge me by the hour to watch the kids...and the real kicker is she is raising his sisters three children!

Sarah - posted on 05/02/2009

I don't think any grandparent should charge for babysitting their grandchildren. They should be happy to be able to have a part in the children's life and cherish every moment.

Kate CP - posted on 05/02/2009

It's proper to OFFER to pay any person who is watching your children for you. Most of the time grandparents are happy to do it for free, but you should still make an offer. "I really appreciate you watching the baby for me. Can I reimburse you for your time?" I don't blame the SIL for wanting to find a free means of child care. If you're willing to watch the kiddos for free then I would do the kindness for her. If Gramma doesn't like it then she should open her own child care business and charge those parents. Your SIL doesn't HAVE to send her kids to her if she doesn't want to!

Stacey - posted on 05/02/2009

I pay my mother to my my girls, but she comes to my house 5 days a week unless I'm off for some reason. I also pay her to help my husband realize we can't blow money on anything we want that we do have responsibilities. I only pay her $75 a week for 2 kids and she turns around and ends up spending most of that money on the girls by buying them clothes or presents or anything else that they might need. However, I don't think you are wrong for doing it for free and I think the Grandma might need to sort out some of her feelings. I babysit for my family sometimes and never charge for a day here or there.

Sylvia - posted on 05/02/2009

that depends how often you want the grand parents to baby sit.Every now and then,no but every day or a regular day each week Yes.

Maria - posted on 05/02/2009

I think it would only be appropriate to pay grandparents if they have to miss work in order to care for the grandchildren and cannot afford to do so.

Rosie - posted on 05/02/2009

I think you're doing a nice favor. I believe that before bringing a child into this world people should take full responsibility for the care of their children. If you have to work, then find a means to get childcare for your child. I think we forget that our parents (grandparents) have raised us and although they enjoy spending time with their grandchildren it is not their responsibility or obligation to watch them daily. My mother would never charge me to care for my child, but I know she has her own life and I wouldn't expect her to give up her activities to watch my child. If I had to leave my child with her grandparents I would pay them because they're doing me a favor. We all have bills to pay, some more than others, but we need to act like adults and make things work for ourselves and not depend on anybody else to be responsible fo us.

Jennifer - posted on 05/02/2009

no, you shouldn't have to pay them to watch there own grandchildren. if you do have alot of money and they don't , buying them occasional gifts as a thank you is nice.

Denice - posted on 05/02/2009

i work 3 days a week, and before returning to work asked my mum if she could help out with babysitting as we could not afford nursery fees, she was really honest and said she would give it a go, but didn,t know if she would find it too much, she did not want any payment, but i used to treat her to a gift every month on payday to show my appreciation, after all she has had her children, and brought us all up, and i choose to have mine, we,v now got our little girl into nursery 2 days a week and my mum and sister take it in turns to have her on the 3rd day, i feel im very blessed to have such good support from my family..

Valerie - posted on 05/02/2009

I have been in this place before, I have used other things such as food, gift cards & small gifts as an act of appriciation. Not because any body has asked. I always feel like I should pay. And the kids are so well behaved they practilly take care of themselves. So don't feel bad. Always remember it is a blessing to be a blessing.

Helen - posted on 05/02/2009

i would never think of paying the grandparents to baby sit if it was once in a while but we do pay my sister in law because she has our little boy 5 days a week so it is a job and not just a occasional favour.

Stephanie - posted on 05/02/2009

love my grandson so much and would never charge to watch him.

Julie - posted on 05/02/2009

nope thats the right thing to do

Liz - posted on 05/01/2009

Wow what a selfish grandmother! She doesn't deserve to be a grandmother!! I am a grandmother of 2 and I would love love love to babysit my grandchildren while their momma was at work but I can't because I live out of state!! We are only a couple of hours away and I take them as much as I can to give their mom a break since she is a single parent. I would never ever in a million years charge any of my children to watch my grandbabies! I have 3 more kids I can get grandkids out of too!! This woman blows my mind!!!

I have taken my niece and nephew for free as well! Isn't that what family is for??

My kids would probably offer to pay me and I wouldn't ever take the money. These are my grandbabies!

Libby - posted on 05/01/2009

I babysit, but watched my friend's kids today as a favor. I might need a favor one day too, so didn't mind helping her out. As for a grandparent, I think it can go either way. I have two friends that both pay their moms to watch their kids b/c they don't want to do daycare. The one grandma cleans houses, so she is taking away time that she could be making money that way. The other grandma stopped working to watch her grandkids. I think that is totally fair. Now if it was an occasional thing or the grandparent didn't want money (even if they were babysitting every day, all day) then that is between them. My mom babysit 2-3 times a week for me when I worked. She babysat all day on Saturdays, Friday evenings from 5-10, and any other occasion at times. But I've never paid her. So, I think this can go either way really.

Morag - posted on 05/01/2009

My ex's mum used to charge me to watch my daughter while I was at University/college. I hardly had any money and went without food some days just so my kid could eat.. 10quid a half day (around 18 USD at the time), but I was only getting 3quid a week and had to beg, borrow and miss payments for rent and stuff, just to make sure we had food...So it really screwed me over... I suppose if you are working a good job, then fair enough, maybe you should offer something, but if you are struggling then thats taking food/clothes from your grandchild. Now my MIL takes care of my daughters while I am at work, but we struggle because my husband has had his hours cut, so we don't pay, nor has she ever asked. My mum takes the girls too and she never pays, and she gives them food and toys and everything for them. My mum loves doing it so does my MIL.

Saying that in Spain grandmothers are expected to care for the grandkids while parents are at work. Stay at home mums are kind of frowned upon and grandparents are the governments get out clause to get everyone working.

Jane - posted on 05/01/2009

If granny had the kids full time whilst mum was working, a few quid would help towards food etc. But in a case like this - NO CHARGE. Granny should feel honored to be able to spend that bit of time with the kids. She should take her wicked greed and stick it where the sun don't shine!!!!!

Anne - posted on 05/01/2009

Well I am a nan (grandmum) now I think it depends on the whole situation..I do not see mine grandchildren very often, they do not live near me.. so it is a great joy to have them..but if I was asked to have them if they had to go to work, and it was on a regular basis yes I think that a payment should be paid, but not as much as you would have to pay out for a childminder, ....this is not like babysitting..this is daily childcare.

Katie - posted on 05/01/2009

I don't think that she should pay her children's grandmother to babysit the kids. It is such a small number of days that she should be willing to it for free. I could understand it if she had to watch them mon. through fri. from 9 to 5 but if it's only 4 days a month, that's silly.