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Should Grandparents Get Paid For Keeping Their Grandchildren?
This is my third summer to keep my grandson every day. I also keep him during school breaks and holidays. I am fully retired now and my income is less. I feel that my daughter should begin to pay me for the one on one childcare that I am providing. What do others do?
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07/28/08 @ 10:07 AM
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I watch my three grandsons. While I don't charge as much as the regular daycares in town I do charge a little. It helps with the food, crafts and fun things the boys and I do. I also watch my sister's grandchildren. I get $125 a week from each family.
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hstrothe
07/28/08 @ 06:22 PM
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Thank you for your input. I am pleased to hear that other grandparents are being compensated for childcare. It doesn't mean in any way that we love our grandchildren less, it just means that our kids need to understand that we have to meet our expenses on a smaller retired income than they do.
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07/28/08 @ 08:22 PM
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I love to watch my granchildren. I work full time now but when the time comes and I watch them more often, the only reason I would need to be paid is if I needed the extra income. I would hope that my sons would just see if the needs are being met and would voluntarily help out. I won't set a dollar amount on 'baby-sitting' my granchildren. If I can help, I will. If my sons can help, they will.
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bestgrands
07/31/08 @ 11:56 AM
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I can't even begin to even think about charging to watch my grand daughter's. I would even pay them if I had the money. Young families can't even afford to purchase a house these days. If my taking care of the kids while they work helps them out, then I'm more than happy to do it. Having Kaitlyn & Mackenzie with me actually keeps me young & happy and that's my payment.
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mzzellen
07/31/08 @ 12:04 PM
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I would never charge to watch my grandson, ever ever ever. I agree with the other ellen,I would pay his parents if I had the money.To me it is not just love, it is principle. Asking for money for a special trip or something like that, or asking for them to bring snacks and such to the house, that's fine. No matter how poor I am, watching my grandchildren is a act of the heart. There are of course circumstances that might make getting paid an option, but trully I would hope that it would only be in someone's most need that they would even consider getting paid. Watching and teaching grandchildren is a legacy of love and learning for the generations ahead, not a 9 to 5 job.
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LdyLopes
07/31/08 @ 12:10 PM
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WE DID NOT HAVE TO PAY MY MOM TO BABYSET OUR 3 BOYS, SO WHY SHOULD I GET PAID. IF I CAN HELP OUT IN ANY WAY I WILL. WE HAVE A 15 YEAR OLD GRANDSON WHO LIVE WITH US NOW,AND HAVE TO GRAND DAUGHTER'S THEY ARE MY EVERY THINK, I DON'T KNOW WHAT WE WOULD DO WITH OUT THEM.
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BONNIEFFF
07/31/08 @ 12:23 PM
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I care for my 2 granddaughters daily and love every minute of it. We are not wealthy and manage to get by on my husband's salary. As long as I am able to afford to not work outside of the home I would never consider charging for their care. I often purchase clothing, supplies, toys, etc. for them. If we became financially strapped and I needed to bring in additional income to the household I would be forced to re-evaluate the situation. For the time being everything that we can do to make our children and their children have it a little easier than we did, we do.
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GrammySusan
07/31/08 @ 12:34 PM
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Yes and that depends on the grandparents financial cituation. It takes money sometimes to entertain the little munchkins and grandma and grand pa may not always have it.
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Michelle0118
07/31/08 @ 12:45 PM
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I think getting paid for watching a Grandkid depends on the circumtance. If it is a rare occasion, I would do it for nothing, but if it is expected, say watching the kids before and after school then I think some sort of pay should be offered.
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blues77
07/31/08 @ 12:58 PM
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I have a policy. I will watch my grandchildren for no charge when the parents want to go out on a date or get some time away. Also when they have a medical appointment.
When it comes to being the care-giver on a full time basis while the parents are working, I feel the grandparents should be paid. The parents are less apt to take advantage of the situation if they are paying for the care their children are receiving. They would be paying someone else while they are at work. They should not take advantage of their parents, expecting FREE daycare.
I sacrificed and stayed home giving up material things because I could not afford daycare. It seems today our children expect everything for free.
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Peweli
07/31/08 @ 12:58 PM
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I AM ON DISABILITY AND MY INCOME IS VERY LOW, AND MY DAUGHTER IS A READING TEACHER AND MAKES VERY GOOD MONEY. SHE PAYS ME BECAUSE SHE KNOWS I NEED IT, AND THE BABY COULDN'T GET BETTER CARE ANY WHERE ELSE.
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JOYCE221
07/31/08 @ 01:26 PM
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A dollar amount can't be put on the quaility time I spend with my grandchildren, it won't be long until they don't have time to come to grandmas. I'll be replaced with sleep-overs with friends, dates, parties, school activites. Everytime those little arms go around me and tease me with "hey Nana (I'm not a banana), or ole lady", it's a memory for the memory wall in my mind.
Six years I missed out on their lives because of medical reasons, this summer I've made up for being sick. We've played, swam, watched Hannah Montana and enjoyed life to the fullest. I want my grandchildren to have happy memories of their grandma to share with their children someday.
I am Blessed, no it's a pleasure and joy to be trusted with these precious children. I thank my children when they call and say "Mom can you "
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grammyl
07/31/08 @ 01:33 PM
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I would never dream of charging my daughter for the privilege of spending time with my grandson.I understand that some grandparents need the money but personally I try to help my daughters family as much as I can.I often call to see if my grandson can come stay with me cause I know all too soon he will be grown and too busy to spend much time with Nana so I am taking advantage of the time I have now.
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jammin
07/31/08 @ 01:49 PM
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I don't charge my son for watching my grandson, only because I can afford to stay home from work. I know his wife has to work and I wouldn't want my grandson left with a stranger. This gives us all the piece of mind knowing he is in the best of care and I get to spoil him and love him more. Some people don't get that option. If you are taking care of your grandchild and need the added income I think its only fair your son/daughter should give you something, after all we raised our own children its their turn to do the same. Some kids really take advantage of grandparents when it comes to daycare.
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grammyt
07/31/08 @ 01:52 PM
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