When you first become a parent, it’s common to need a little assistance. Often, this is when you are in your 20s or 30s and you’re trying to build your career and maintain the status quo. Having a child can make it difficult to be well-rounded. One of the ways that we often get help is through our parents, who are the grandparents of the new baby. They will chip in to assist and sometimes, they may even become regular babysitters.
This kind of help is something that many people rely on, but it’s not the same for every family. That includes this particular family, where the mother-in-law asking to be paid for babysitting her grandchild led to a bit of a family feud.
“I’m in a tough spot right now. My husband and I have been happily married for 10 years. We have a lovely six-month-old baby, and we both work full-time. My husband works from home, and I work at the office.
Recently, my mother-in-law retired, and she kindly offered to take care of our baby while we work. We welcomed her offer with open arms, and it’s been working out well. She’s wonderful with our little one, and I’m extremely grateful for her help. Besides taking care of the baby, she also helps out with cooking, cleaning, and doing the dishes.
Yesterday, my mother-in-law and I had a conversation that left me in shock. She asked us to pay her for the time she spends with our precious Katie. I am stunned that she would put a price on spending time with her own grandchild.
When I was a baby, my grandma used to babysit me and my sister without ever expecting payment or gifts. She did it just out of pure love for us. I also used to babysit my siblings for free for hours on end when I was younger. This request from my mother-in-law has left me at a loss for words.
I’m feeling really frustrated, and this situation is causing tension in my marriage. My husband believes that she should be compensated for her time. He argues that without her help, we would have to hire a stranger to take care of our child, which could end up being even more expensive.
But for me, it’s not just about money. It’s about the principle of family helping each other out of love. I’m really lost and don’t know what to do. My head feels like it’s spinning.
