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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 BABYSAT MY 2 GRAND KIDS FOR FREE FOR OVER 5 YEARS.
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gloriakopidlansky
07/31/08 @ 04:06 PM
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I run a licensed child care center in my home and so my grandchildren take up spots that otherwise would be used with paying clients and since I need the income, I do charge him for child care when he is working. I do give my son a discount but he understands that this is my business and I am giving him high quality care at a discounted rate. I think it depends on the circumstances whether or not grandparents should be paid for caring for grandchildren, but offering is always appreciated. Of course, I take care of my grandkids without pay on evenings or weekends so their parents get some adult time too!
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mom1981
07/31/08 @ 04:24 PM
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I never asked my daughter to pay for my watching my two wonderful grandboys. Recently my husband of 21 years walked out on me and my daughter knew my finances are going to be tight since I'm on disability and she offered to pay me for babysitting. I told her that I'd never take money for playing with the boys. I was happy that she'd offered, but at the same time I was sort of offended. As if that makes sense. lol
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leebaby
07/31/08 @ 04:50 PM
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If you don't get to see them that often like me. I see mine about twice a month when I do I keep her for two days to a week. I really enjoy seeing her and when she go back home I miss her the same day. I love her very much. I don't charge them any thing to watch her. They bring everything I ask for to keep her going the amount of time I have her. They send toys, books , drinks and food for her.
I am a grandmother of four. I have three granddaughters and a grand son.
in StarrSC
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petpev
07/31/08 @ 06:17 PM
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My mom wanted 50 cents an hour (two babies) when I went to work back in 1970. ( She didn't need the money). But I had to go 10 miles further to get to their house, then I did to another babysitter. Sorry to say, I went to the other babysitter (a stranger). Now I'm a grandma, and I'm so sorry that I didn't give my parents and our girls kids the opportunity to spend that time together, no matter how much it would have cost, with their grandparents. My daughter doesn't work, but I look for opportunities to keep the grandkids -- I charge hugs.
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romani218
07/31/08 @ 07:00 PM
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You should feel darn lucky you can have these few years with your grandchild. Soon he/she will be grown and have other interests in life that won,t include you! You are also helping your daughter out she no doubt feels good knowing the person caring for her child is in good hands! be thankfull for these few short days when he/ she is little!
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gramasally
07/31/08 @ 07:30 PM
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If there is travel involved, there is and it is over 50 miles one way, then I feel justified is expecting, at least, enough money to cover my gasoline.
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ceramagrama
07/31/08 @ 08:38 PM
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I'm with mzzellen, i would never charge for grandparenting. i thought the whole reason i went through menopause was so i could stop being quite so interested in my sexlife and devote more time to helping support the next generation...since my baby bearing years are quite over! Thank goodness! I love my grandchildren...and i have one daughter who needs quite a bit of help as a single mom...if i could pay her rent i would, but i babysit all i can...and love doing it...even when i am tired and cranky!
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melformosa
07/31/08 @ 08:43 PM
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For me it's a joy watching my grandchildren.However,if circumstances changed and it became a full time child care situation ,then there would have to be a discussion and compare what another child care facility would cost or would I want to do this.This has to be the choice of the grandparent.That's the best thing about being a Grandparent,I can give them back when I want,I raised 3 children and now it's joy/fun time.Every family is different and talk and be honest!
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smzecfc7
07/31/08 @ 09:20 PM
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I have three beautiful grandgirls. I only get to see two of them. The oldest lives in Virginia, but even if she lived closer, I would NOT charge her mom to have me watch her. I do NOT charge to watch the ones I have living close to me. I love my grandgirls, and would not ever charge to baby sit them. When my kids were little, I called my dad to see if my daughter could come spend the summer with them. My STEP-mother called and said she would LOVE to have her. But she would have to charge me x amount of money cause after all.. she would be feeding her 3 times a day and she would have someone to help with chores. I thought... NO WAY... I will not pay my dad to watch or see his grandchild. Do I regret it to this day.. NOPE!! Grandchildren are a blessing. Not a chore! My mom never got a chance to meet any of her grandchildren, and I don't think she would have charged either.
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grandmaofgirls
07/31/08 @ 09:37 PM
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We love all our children and grandchildren very very much. We just ask at times, not always, that our children help out a little with snacks, fun time funds, whatever. but most of the time it is all on us, which is fine since we both work.i understand that it is a hard thing for some out there that are on low fixed income. we still dont get to give our grands what all we would like but we try, especially with our love in other ways.
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hlmelton
07/31/08 @ 11:12 PM
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I usually charge something, only if its an on going thing. If I am needed for one afternoon or an over nighter, I don't ask for anything. If I watch them as a regular thing I charge a little as an example, I was watching my one grandson Nate. He is ADHA and I have a hard time with him. It is a handful for me. My son-in-law's father was the one who suggested I get paid. So I charged $20 for the day. I got pocket money and they got help.
Now, I am watching 3 kids for my daughter. She has been out of work for several months, and finally got a temp job. Its just two days. I can't bring myself to ask for money when they are struggling. My son-in-law goes to school and works, but his pay is not enough. How could I ask for money under the circumstances?
Yes, we should be compensated when they can do it, sometimes they can't and that's what we are here for.
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MomMomKim
07/31/08 @ 11:23 PM
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Oh and yes, I love doing it. I have a bad back so I can't get out to do somethings with them. We go for walks to the library or the dollar store and then we go home and we read or do crafts. I believe it is time well spent. I also believe that sometimes our children take advantage and that's when I charge. Nate as I said has ADHD and he can be a stinker. His my daughter is always looking to drop him off to me. Once in a while, I do it for the love but regularly I ask for a little something.
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MomMomKim
07/31/08 @ 11:31 PM
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when my mom watched my daughter while I was working I paid her for that-I figured I was making money why shouldn't she-but if I needed a babysitter to go to a movie or dinner with my husband my mom would not except money for that. That is the way I would play it if I was in a position to watch my grandkids-if it was so their parents could work and not worry about them I would charge-not as much as at a regular daycare, and not as much if they provided the kids food (mostly) for the time I would have them. I would not charge for them to have a few hours together without the kids though.
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trekmate
07/31/08 @ 11:31 PM
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