When you first become a parent, it’s common to need some help. It might be difficult to be well-rounded when you are in your 20s or 30s and attempting to advance in your career while upholding the status quo after having a kid.
Our parents, who are the new baby’s grandparents, regularly help us out.
They will offer assistance and, in certain situations, could even start working with them on a daily basis as a babysitter.
Although it’s something that many people depend on, not every home has this. This family is one of them, and things became hot when the mother-in-law said she wanted to get paid for watching the granddaughter.
I’m now facing a challenging circumstance. I have had a happy marriage to my spouse for the last ten years. We are both full-time workers and have a lovely six-month-old child. I go to work, and my spouse works from home.
Recently, my mother-in-law retired and volunteered to watch our child while we are at work. Since we took her offer, everything has been going smoothly. She is fantastic with children, and I value all she does. She helps with cleaning, cooking, and dishwashing in addition to taking care of the baby.
Yesterday, my mother-in-law and I had a shocking conversation. She really asked for payment for the time she spends with our sweet Katie. It’s unbelievable that she would consider the time she spends with her own grandchild to be worth money. When I was a child, my grandma used to watch my sister and me without ever asking for anything in return, not even cash or presents. She really did care about us, which is why she did it. I used to spend hours on end watching my siblings for free when I was younger.
I have nothing intelligent to say. My spouse and I are having arguments because of this situation, which is really frustrating. My spouse feels that she ought to be paid back because, in her absence, we could have to pay extra to have a total stranger watch our child. I have no idea what to say. After giving it all some thought, I’m still unsure. My brain is just AAAH.
