When you become a parent for the first time, you may require some help. Being well-rounded can be challenging when you have a child because this is often the time in your life when you are in your 20s or 30s and attempting to advance your profession and preserve the status quo.
Our parents, who are the new baby’s grandparents, are one of the ways we frequently receive assistance.
They’ll help out when needed, and occasionally they might even serve as their regular babysitter.
Many people depend on this, but not every family has the same values when it comes to this. This family is among them, and things became tense when the mother-in-law declared she demanded payment for watching the granddaughter.
I’m having a hard time right now. I’ve had a happy marriage to my spouse for ten years. Our baby, who is six months old, and I work full-time jobs. While my spouse works from home, I am employed at an office.
My mother-in-law offered to watch our child while we work after she recently retired. Her offer was accepted, and things have been going great since. She does an amazing job with children, and I truly value what she does. She assists with cooking, cleaning, and dishwashing in addition to taking care of the infant.
My mother-in-law and I had a shocking talk yesterday. In fact, she requested payment from us for the time she spends with our priceless Katie. It’s unbelievable that she would place a value on time spent with her own grandson. My grandma used to watch my sister and me when we were babies, and she never once asked for presents, cash, or payment. She did it because she genuinely loved us. When I was younger, I would likewise spend hours on end watching my siblings for free.
I have no idea what to say. My spouse and I are having conflict as a result of this circumstance, which is greatly frustrating me. My spouse feels that she ought to be paid because, in her absence, we would have to pay a complete stranger to watch our child, which would be more costly. I have no other options. After considering everything, I’m at a loss. I’m just AAAH in my head.