Becoming a parent for the first time is exciting but also really hard. Most of us go through it in our 20s or 30s, while we’re also trying to build our careers and manage daily life. It’s a lot to handle all at once. So, it’s normal to need some help, and many people turn to their own parents—the new baby’s grandparents—for support.
Grandparents often help out by watching the baby, sometimes even regularly. For some families, this is a huge blessing. But not every family handles things the same way. That includes mine.
Recently, something happened that really upset me. My husband and I have been married for 10 years, and we just had a beautiful baby girl—Katie. She’s six months old now. Both of us work full-time. My husband works from home, while I go to the office.
When my mother-in-law retired, she kindly offered to watch Katie during the day. We were so grateful. She’s amazing with kids, and on top of that, she also helps around the house—she cooks, cleans, and even does the dishes. I was honestly so thankful for everything she was doing.
But yesterday, she brought something up that completely shocked me. She asked if we could start paying her for watching Katie. I didn’t know how to respond. It felt so strange to think of putting a price on time spent with her own granddaughter.
When I was a kid, my grandmother used to watch me and my sister all the time, and she never asked for anything in return—not money, not gifts—just love. I also helped babysit my own younger siblings when I was growing up, and of course, I never got paid. It was just what family did for each other.
Now, I feel stuck. This whole thing is creating stress between me and my husband. He thinks his mom deserves to be paid because, otherwise, we’d have to hire someone we don’t know, and that might cost even more. I get his point, but I’m still hurt and confused.
I’ve gone over it again and again in my head, and I don’t know what to do. I just feel overwhelmed and lost.
Dedicated and experienced pet-related content writer with a passion for animals and a proven track record of creating engaging and informative content. Skilled in researching, writing, and editing articles that educate and inspire pet owners. Strong knowledge of animal behavior, health, and care, combined with a commitment to delivering high-quality content that resonates with audiences. Seeking to leverage writing skills and passion for pets to contribute to a dynamic and mission-driven team.