Should Grandparents be paid to babysit their grandchildren?

i am becoming a grandparent soon, so this discussion is of much interest to me. i never paid my parents or inlaws to babysit,,but i didn't leave them with them to go to work, only if we went out and that was just an occasion or so... i think i would be willing if i had time was asked nicely. not expected to. i really was sad about becoming this "old person" too soon. but now, with just a couple of weeks to go, i find myself anxiously awaiting this little bundle of joy! i am not sure i will want to let go of him once i hold him... so i'll have to get back to this one after ive been a grandma for awhile!

Paying for something equates to buying a product or service. I put this question back to you: if your daughter wants to pay you because she left their children at your home for you to look after while they are out or at work, will you accept payment? Perhaps not. I know you won't, because you love your daughter and her children, and being asked to take care of them makes you feel important, wanted and appreciated. I think that's reward already, if you look at things that way. If you are not asked, but someone else is, you will likely feel otherwise. But then, if this arrangement is very often, or a daily affair, then it may not be so fair to you because it impinges significantly on your time, effort and financial resources. Your daughter can show appreciation in other ways (instead of paying you) by providing for some of the meals or buying some provisions for you, or if she gives you allowance regularly, she can increase that amount to help you defray some of your expenses. There are of course other non-monetary ways she can show her appreciation for what you do.

Charge them? I'm flabberghasted! It shouldn't be an onus, a chore, a payable task to take your grandchildren out. Most grandparents would be jumping for joy for the chance to be with their grandkids and to spoil them rotten. I think it's very cold and shallow that they should expect payment for a role they should take without question.

Well I think it is up to the kids parents to give you something not for the trouble but a little bit something just to assist you in taking care of their children. How about a gift of baskets of fruits. A small party in celebration of your love for their children or a Big THANK YOU for what you have done and not expecting in return...

I agree, but not as payment for babysitting, but as a token of gratitude..children should realize that their parents also have needs especially expenses for medicines...so they don't have to pay them for babysitting their grandchildren...but the parents should show their appreciation by giving them allowance, etc. It's up to now for the parents to recognize the great contribution that grandparents provide for the care of their children...and if at all, they are considered as the unsung heroes for our children..

I really don't think that grandparents should be paid when babysitting. Grandparents are not obliged to babysit their grandchildren. They have a choice to do it or not. As far as I know, grandparents love taking care of their grandchildren. It gives them a different feeling.

Yes, my mother paid my grandmother to look after my brother and me. She did it because my brother and I were a handful at times and my mother knew it. My step-father really gave my grandmother great payment for watching over my brother and me. My step-father got her a car and a cell phone for watching us for so many years.

No I do not think that Grandparents should charge if I was a Grandmother I would be in my element to spend so much time with my Children I would love every Minute of it and make the most of it

I think you should get paid for babysitting your grandchildren. When my mother would take care of my children while I worked, I would pay her for it. This is what is just.

You sound like a wonderful grandmother, Tina. My mom watches my sister's kids and my sister does pay her a small amount. This is only because my mom can't work because she is babysitting for the kids. So I do think that's a fair arrangement.

do you feed them? does that come out of your pocket? there is a fine line between taking advantage of your parents as babysitters and asking them every once in awhile. my parents are more than willing to help out but i do try and help them out for food if my children (ages 10 & 14) are there for a long period of time...its not fair to my parents at all to be taken advantage of! by all means, why not ask your children for money? perhaps they will wake up!

I'm of the opinion that if it's something occasional... perhaps 1 night a week or so, so that the parents can have a night out then it's ok not to provide compensation of some kind. But if it's regular, like babysitting while the parents are at work 2 or 3 days a week every week then there should be something. Not necessarily money. But if it were me, I might buy or cook my parents dinner a couple of times a month or something like that. Just to say "hey, I appreciate what you're doing for me."

what such a wonderful granparent are u..i love to here that u are very close with ur grandchilds.u remind me to my late grandparents. back to ur question, for me ur childs should pay for taking care of their childrens.but it is not like a salary but juz paying u every month to buy their foods, games or any important things for them. like what my aunts and my mom always do before. it just like to thank u for taking care about their childrens.

Well my mom watches my son when I'm at work so 5 days a week durning work hours. I pay her 50.00 every two weeks which I know is not alot for the work of watching a small child but I feel that I should pay her something just not alot. Sometimes if I go out of town and she's got him day and night I will pay her something. My brother has two kids and she keeps them alot they are in school durning the day when school is in but he doesn't pay her anything.

My mom has moved in with me b/c I just had my 3rd (by c-section) and although I don't pay her, she has free axcess to internet & cable, no water, electric or rent bill & only partially responsible for groceries. But I also am getting help with all 3 of my kids (22 months, 11 months, & a 2 weeks old) while I get back on my feet. So it's a good thing for everyone :)

well i think they ned not be paid an exact amount for baby sitting, after all it is their grandhildren. i think the parents of the kids should be able to help the old folks with their daily expenses too, since they are old and can no nlonger earn money for themselves, they must just give them an allowance, baby sitting or not.

Whether you want to be paid or not, is totally up to you!! I don't expect parents of my children's friends to pay me if they come over for the day to play. I feed them, give them snacks, take them to the park. I don't ask for money. I don't see the need to, we just have fun together. I'm a mom of 3 young ones (8,6, and 3) and admit I don't pay my parents or my in-laws to watch our children. I know I would be in tears everyday if it wasn't for the support of our parents--so I need to pay them back somehow. Usually, DH and I do work for them around the house.. paint, fix things, clean, or garden. I also pay my mother with goodies from the kitchen which she really appreciates. So, I guess HOW you get paid is the biggest issue. Sounds like you and your grandchildren have a great payment plan. Lots of love. I guess I couldn't ask for a better reward than that!! BTW... Kudos for taking them! Do you take them all at once? God bless, and give those GK a big hug from me!!

I'm not a grandparent but my husband and I have contemplated asking our parents to watch over the kids. I think if it is an occasional favor, then no payment is needed. But if I were to leave my kids as often as they leave theirs with you, as a parent, I would give my parents some sort of allowance for watching over our kids. It might come as cash or say me buying groceries for them. Anything to repay the help that they do. As for you charging them to take care of their kids, honestly, I wouldn't know how to advice you to go about doing it without looking bad. The thing is, since you've been doing it so long for free, they've gotten used to this type of setting.

i dont think there is a need to pay grandparents for taking care of their grandchildren but rather must be respected well enough for theie effort and rewarded through love which is really great...

Hi!Well,it is all upon the way you have built your RELATIONSHIP with your children. Usually, when itcomes to FAMILY as such, money should not come in the way, as grandchildren are also of the same blood.BUT, if you are not treated properly by your children or they do not take good care of you, then you may levy your charges for everyone has to LIVE.But as far as I have experienced, when money intervenes, the true love is lost.If you consider them as your own, you would go out of your way to doanything for them. GOD BLESS!! Thanks, www.creatingcolourfulfuture.com