When I was just out of high school, I worked for my church in the nursery. I wasn’t paid much but I loved it. The little paychecks I got, I would turn around and buy snacks for the kids, arts & crafts, room decorations and even gifts during christmas. If I stopped to get a burger on the way to work, I would grab an extra large fries to share with the kids. What I’m trying to say is I used a lot of my money, even though I didn’t have to, for the kids. Your grandmother, doesn’t have an extra income, so she probably uses a lot of her own money for your child just to have snacks or something to play with. $65 a week isn’t much, especially when you consided the alternatives. You know she loves him and is going to take good care of him.
I look after my granddaughters and have done since they where baby’s and I do school runs now with oldest one and would not take a penny of my kids for doing this I love to do it and it saves them having to pay for childcare
It’s a fair price, daycare a whole lot more, it really averages like 5.00 an hour. Your average daycare is 200.00 plus a week depending on age and ect
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You would have to pay someone else so why not pay Grandma? If you need free child care apply for assistance if you don’t need assistance then pay Grandma. Guarantee what she is asking is much less than a daycare or a in home child care provider would charge.
If Grandma expected this granddaughter to come over and clean up after her and feed her that many hours a week , I am highly doubtful the young woman would do it. Perhaps if she was willing to spend that many hours cleaning, cooking and running errands, perhaps grandma would make a trade. Obviously this young woman has little respect for her grandmother. The fact that she imagines her grandmother has no life. don’t charge my children and I’m grateful for the opportunity to spend with my grandchildren. However, my income is sufficient for my needs. And my children are always watching out for me in other ways, things I have trouble doing for myself.
look at it as a blessing…
She’s obviously someone you can trust and it’s less than daycare cost
Anyone that babysits on a regular basis should be paid family or not. I would love to have my grandma in my life again. She passed away 8 years ago. Be thankful. As for my mom and motherinlaw they both work and have important jobs so I’m a stay at home mom. Be thankful that you have a trustworthy person to watch your son.
I always paid my mom and my sister in-law cause they baby sit both my girls while me and my husband worked! We couldn’t afford day care! So we were happy to have family watch them! My daughter lives with me and has three kids, I baby sit hers while she works now, she pays my light bill & the cable for me and buys all the groceries for all us!
Shes babysitting for you instead of doing other things. Shes committed to being there for u. You shouldnt get mad about paying because if she wasnt there, you would have to pay more to someone else. Also…the trust that your child is being cared for, is worth way more than that.
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I would NEVER under any circumstances take money for watching my grands.
Do you get paid for the work you do? 
so why shouldn’t you pay your grandma? She watches your child - and not just every once in awhile, but on a consistent, weekly basis. While your child may be “perfect” - they still need to eat. They still need water/juice/formula. They still need adult supervision.
Yes she should be paid. She is providing you with a service!
Problem solved put them in daycare. I have never charged that is my choice. I did pay a family member to watch my children when they were young. Be grateful not entitled.
You should never expect anything for free. I am another and grandmother and when I ask for childcare I assume I am paying for it. If they offer to childcare for free then be grateful but do more assume you have the right. I personally dont normally charge for time with my precious little ones but there are times where I have
I don’t charge my daughter because as a single mother she has enough bills and i enjoy spending times with my grandson. I personally would never charge her but i have known other people who have to pay their family to babysit.
You should pay… she’s providing a steady “childcare” for you, not occasional baby sitting… there’s a difference.
I pay my mother to keep my 4 year old while I work. It is cheaper, and better quality care, than a daycare.
I watch my grandkids 5 days a week and would never exspect payment.They are my life and I love them dearly.I am 71 years old and they keep me young.
Your family member may have come the wrong way, but I believe it’s fair she gets some $$. Taking care of a child isn’t easy. The fact that the kid is quiet and independent does not change also the fact, that she’s being responsible. A little help doesn’t not hurt.
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Just be thankful you don’t have to send them to day care and pay that price, it isn’t easy. Be thankful you have a family member willing to watch them
You are very lucky that’s all you have to pay. Stop being so damn entitled and feel gratitude that your grandmother can help you. She won’t always be around to help you.
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Yes. Why is it expected that they babysit because they are family.
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Your " grandmother " may need the money . Your " mother" may not . Ask her to watch your responsibility ! Family should never be taken for granted .
My mom watched my kids while I worked. I paid her. She didn’t ask for it but I would have had to have a sitter anyway. Why not someone I totally trusted to take care of them as well as I could. Pay her. She deserves it.
Paid my mother 50.00 a week. It helped them out and me at the same time. Maybe your mother needs help making it and is to proud to ask. Please it beats day care
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Family helps Family. If you were watching your grand kids would you charge? I have never charged for watching my grand kids or been charged for my mom watching my kids. That’s my opinion. That was the way with my nieces and nephews as well. NO CHARGE from me!
I believe that family should pay something. Look we all have to live. My youngest daughter baby sits for my other daughter she gets 10 dollars a day. I am the grandmother I try to help my kids out in any way I can so I don’t charge. But if I needed it I’m sure they would help me out.
Yes, you should pay. It is not an occasional thing, but 3 days each week.
You should happily pay. That child is your responsibility and you should be grateful that is all you have to pay. Knowing that your child is being taken care of by someone you trust can be a great relief.
I paid Grandma for watching my 5 year old for the afternoon. He was very well behaved too. It helped her out with gas money and any treats she wanted to purchase. Her time and love was well worth the low cost!
I wouldn’t charge to watch my grandchildren. If I were still working and gave up my earnings I probably would not ask for payment but I would probably be really happy if you chose to pay $ as a token of appreciation. It sounds like you have a great thing going…family in home care for your baby & you probably couldn’t beat that price if you tried. Just be thankful & pay $65 out of love and appreciation.
I kept my grands for my children for nothing because it was not expected of me. I had five beautiful grandsons. I loved them with all my heart. Never charged them. My ex got mad at me for volunteering to keep them and we often went round and round about it. But I was never taken for granted by my children about child care.
I watch my niece while her momma works and I charge her. I watch my grandkids and I’m paid to. I’m much cheaper than a daycare and I love and can provide love and one on one time they can’t get in a daycare. My babies are with family which makes their mommas feel better. So absolutely you need to pay your grandma. Your son may be easygoing and independent blah blah blah but she still provides the adult supervision he needs and the care and love you can’t get from sending him to an expensive daycare. $65 a week is nothing!!! Have you seen the injuries and deaths occurring at child cares lately??? Be a lot more grateful grandma is there, smile as you pay her and give her a big hug as you say I love you and thank you.
If you are working, then so is she. You wouldn’t be able to get childcare for him at that low of price anywhere else. Watching a child is not cheap, she has to but him food and things to keep him entertained. Your child is your responsibility, you should never expect someone to keep him for free, your not intiteled to free childcare.
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I would never charge my children for the pure privilege to watch my grandkids. I wish I could keep mine more often.
Yes she should be paid… if you didn’t have her trustworthy attention your child would have to be placed in the care of an unknown persons care… be thankful you have her…
If she really needed money fine. I have watch my grandkids pass 14 years 9hrs a day and 4days aweek.Love every min. of it:heart:
My daughter an son in law are very thankful.
I watch my 3 grandchildren Monday thru Friday and expect nothing ! Remind you they want to pay me- but, a grandparent that wants money for helping their child, or spending time with their grandchild is a grandparent that doesn’t value time or only sees money signs! Granted if times are tough then yes they should offer a helping hand!
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I watch my grand kids from time to time. I don’t expect to get paid. But if I did it on a regular basis is they could work or even go to school, I would expect something. Hi pretty much raised one of my grands. My daughter and grand lived with me for the first 8 years. My daughter paid my bills so I never had asked for anything. The last 2 years my daughter moved out, my grand stayed. She kept paying my bills.
If She was not watching your child you would have to pay someone else. Isn’t she worth as much as a stranger? Is she taking good care of the child? Could she need the money? Does she have cable TV and internet for the child? Does she supply food?
65 a week is cheep. But if it will be a financial hardship explain that to her.
I would have been heart broken if they had put my grand in daycare. I was so thankful they helped me with my bills.
How sad that you didn’t offer to pay her; she had to ask. Grandparents are not automatic babysitters! If you offer and she declines, that’s one thing. You seem to think she owes you. She doesn’t.
Where do you think you will get child care for $65 a week? You assume because she’s family you should not pay her…that’s really selfish regardless if he is a good child
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I can’t believe this is even a question. Value your child and value the person watching your child. $65 is nothing.
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I use to pay my dad $200 a week. They shouldn’t ask for pay but they do. I would rather pay 65 then what daycare asks for.
I have never even considered money at all when babysitting my niece and nephew. And I used to babysit a lot, probably 15-30 hours a week sometimes and crazy hours while my brother and sister-in-law worked (on top of working my full time job). It would never even cross my mind to ask for money. I love spending time with the kids and being able to help out family. But I guess if someone does look at it as a “job” and want to be compensated, family or not, they are entitled to feel that way. Personally it does seem a little strange to me though, we just wouldn’t do that in my family.
It’s sad that she has to “demand” it when it should have been offered! Think of it as a convenience fee, you have a trusted family member looking after your child! It’s a very small price to pay to have your mind at ease… have you heard these day care horror stories?? Family or not, it’s a favor and a sacrifice on her part to be taking care of your child
As a grandmother I take care of my grandkids … I do not charge … however my kids do compensate as needed … they bring them extras for them and my selves … if they can they pay for my medications or things I may need … fix my car … etc …we make it work … however if your grandma needs extra … $65 is nothing … for your kids to be taken care of with the most trusted person and feeds them … gives genuine hugs and kisses … safest place they can be
Family time and babysitting time are different and should be compensated. At least make the offer. Seriously, of all the people in your life to NOT take for granted…Think of it this way: what are you preventing them from doing in a regular basis? Would you want to switch places? If their neighbor/friend/your sibling asked this of them—what would your reaction be?
My mother wouldn’t have her grandchildren unless she was paid… even if it was a medical emergency… she would still expect payment… I on the other hand would Never charge a family member for watching over a child… and I would NEVER charge for looking after my grandchildren (in the future) … it’s a blessing… xx
Yes. Why do you feel like your family owns you free childcare? You chose to let the daddy finish inside, not your or his family. You sound super entitled and very immature. If you don’t want to pay the 65 a week, you could always put the baby in a actual daycare and pay a few hundred a week.
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It is not a normal grandparent situation to have set times to watch the grandchild.
Depends on the situation… If you’re using family as daycare…then yes… If it’s like a few days just to spend time with Grandma… then that’s a different story…
The demand part is a little hard to take ( your words or hers)? I think if it’s a regular thing every week then yes you should pay. It would be a lot cheaper than Day Care and you have the safety of it being a family member watching your child. No matter how easy the child might be, children are a lot of work. Be nice, Grandma might need that extra cash and it’s really not very much. Make nice.
Your mother is a grandmother, not a babysitter. If you are treating her like a babysitter, she should be paid as a babysitter. If it makes you livid, find a new babysitter.
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Instead of working part time to supplement her income, instead she loving works around your schedule,and has a commitment to you, I’m sorry, but you actually are acting entitled
I’m sure day care is way more than$65 week
I would do it for free if they were sick but not 3 designated days a week. That’s a lot to ask from anyone for free.
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YES, you should pay her!! I am a grandmother of 8 who dearly love my children and grandchildren. When I have my grands over, I do not charge or accept anything from their parents. However, we are retired and have a life also. We used to keep one of our grandsons, pick him up after school and keep him till his mom and dad got off work. Afterschool charges 125.00 per month, so that is what she gave us. It helped buy the gas to pick him up and buy him extras like smoothies, etc. We are by no means rich and live on a strict budget…as most older folks do. During the summer months, they would pay us what regular daycare would cost them, was their choice. Son in law said they would have to pay someone, so might as well pay us and help us out with our needs. Grandparents have needs also honey. So help her out and pay her.
I’ve always kept 6 of my grandkids everyday and at least one night a week and never charged a penny. I bought my diapers pull-ups wipes and even clothes for my house. It was my choice so I didn’t have to worry about their well being. However your grandmother may need the money.
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I always paid my Mom to watch my kids while I worked. She never asked for anything but I insisted. Her time was valuable to. I also took food for the day.
I think u should pay her,it is her time,her house,and her rules.and I am assuming she feds your child also. She is helping u out and she could be doing other things but she is helping u.be grateful,
I paid my Mom to babysit when I worked…she had already raised her children, and because she was home doesn’t mean she had to do it…
Yes the absolutely get paid. It may not be as much as daycare, but you have a good person whom,you know and trust to watch your child.
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Are you kidding? $65.00 a week is great!!! First off it’s a family member. A stranger would not care half as much for your child. Grandmas are the greatest! Nuff said.
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No one owes us anything. We make the decision to have children and family. If we can not afford to pay others to help us raise our children, we should not expect their help. If they volunteer their availability or services. Be thankful. If the help because we ask for help. Be grateful. Pay this minimal fee, and be glad your child is well taken care of and loved.
I paid my own mother to watch my child during the day while I was at work because I did not want him exposed to daycare where I live. It wasn’t that she expected it, or that she minded, but as a courtesy to her for doing me and my baby a favor. He was in a safe and climate controlled environment with people he knew and not exposed to random germs and what not and was not ever sick in his life until I put him in preschool when he was 4 and he went to after school care at a daycare. I pulled him out of the daycare and he never got sick (ear infection) again until he was a teenager and caught the flu. There is something to be said about homeschooling and taking care of children by family members, but you’d pay a heck of a lot more and have a lot more doctor visits if you took him to a daycare so I’d be thanking grandma and handing her $75 a week.
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Doesn’t matter if it’s family, she’s taking care of him for 3 days out of the week for a few hours, shes not asking for a lot, pay her for her services…
I say yes because they’re watching your child(ren). It fair because you COULD be paying more for a real babysitter or a daycare. Most family members are taken advantage of with this… Ive seen it myself. Pay her a reasonable n be lucky it’s not someone else that charges more!
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Yes. She is using her time. Her time is just as valuable as yours. Esp if she is providing any meals for your son during this time.
Personally, ALOT of situations come into play. Can grandma AFFORD to babysit, did she OFFER to help or feels pressured to help, does she WORK or have a busy schedule, is she HEALTHY, etc. PERSONALLY , for an AVERAGE of 9 hours a week, $65/$7 hr is a steep request from Grandma. I would feel GUILTY taking that if it TAKES from my grandchild needs. I would APPRECIATE they bring snacks or dinner once a week, $20 or a better yet, a MANI PEDI! I’d appreciate time with my grandchild. I work full time and need my income but that’s not alot of hours in a week to assist if my FAMILY needed that help. Sure, I may have grouchy moments but it would still be ok as long as I don’t feel abused.
She should be paid and what she is asking for us such a small amount of money. Us seniors need additional income. Pay the lady
Why do people feel that if it is family, it is mandatory that they watch your children? THEN want it for free? Ummm, no. Sorry, you should always offer something and never expect it free. They are doing YOU a favor by helping YOU with your RESPONSIBILITY. Sad that “family” is ready, willing and able to pay a stranger but doesnt want to pay family. 
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I am a grandma and I would sit for my daughter occasionally. That is a jab and that little change you throwing her way can buy Food, medicine, be a little extra to do something her income doesn’t cover. She is teaching responsibility because if she wasn’t here or able, who would do it? Someone else charging more right?
Even when my brothers were living with me, I paid them to watch my kids so my husband and I could work.
If it’s consistent, then I say yes, family should be paid something. If it’s a date night or a random situation, I say absolutely not, it’s a privilege for family to watch a kiddo-
I paid my mom to watch my son, I knew he was in good hands plus a lot cheaper than babysitting
She raised her kids and I’m sure paid babysitters. She is giving up her time so pay her. I paid mine. If it was a once in awhile thing it would be different but this is a job
You should never expect anyone to do it for free. yes, a token of appreciation should be given. What if grandma wasn’t around? You would have to PAY another to do it. Also, I guarantee that you will NOT find a better child care at that price… don’t take advantage of family members
Yes you should pay. Treat your family as well as you do strangers
Do you expect free child care?? If you did daycare it would be triple that. Be grateful that’s all you pay!!
nothing in life is free and $65 a week isn’t bad at all compared to how much people who don’t have helped have to pay for full-time daycare plus supply diapers and snacks. My mother watched my daughter for a year why I worked and I paid her very well almost have my checks and I was making minimum wage it’s a part of growing up and being an adult.
I paid my mother to keep my children in the 70’s. She was a widow in a fixed income. I have babysat for 2 grandsons and did NOT want to be paid. I did it for love. That was my decision.
Hand her a couple of bucks, or buy her some groceries, take her out to dinner, do something nice for Grandma, if it weren’t for her you would be paying your entire check to childcare, I know I used to work in one, they are very expensive…
No…I find it a gift to be able to “grandparent” them.
My neighbor insisted her daughter pay. The daughter didn’t know the money went into savings for the child. Even if that’s not the case, you should pay if that’s what she requests.
If its scheduled babysitting, yes I would offer.
If it’s just casual babysitting for a date night, no.
That is not a grandparents responsibility all though it’s the grandparents choice to charge or not
I wouldn’t complain. That’s pretty decent price. Even better to have family members watching your kids.
You should be grateful and respectful about her asking amount. She could not do it at all. It shouldn’t have come to this point, you should have offered a fair price before it got to this point.
I watch my grandkids they are twins and pick up my other granddaughter off the bus. I know what it’s like to be a single mom so I will be there to help my kids and grandchildren anyway I can.
My daughter just put her daughter In a childcare center where i work ,but i no longer work there ,but my granddaughter still good , she said that she would paid me to keep her ,what she paid at the childcare center ,but i wanted her to be around other childrens it best for her ,it doesnt make me any less of a grandma ,I love her very much
I pay 155 for a 2 year old and 75 for after school pick up . I would love to have family to pay to watch my children
You sound entitled…she could find plenty of other things to do with her time…and 65 is less than daycare.
My grandmother watched my daughter from 8 weeks until she went to kindergarten. She would drive to my house and watch her, after I moved her house was on the way to work so I dropped her off at her house. I paid her $100 a week or $20 a day.
Uh why shouldn’t they? It’s hard work. If they offer for free then okay but I still would do something nice for them. If she wants to be paid sit down with her and explain the norms rate for sitters in your area and figure it out together or take him to someone else!
I watched my grandson And now I have a second grandson and I could never take any money from my daughter watching my grandsons is a blessing I love it
Grandparents should LOVE to watch there grandbabies. No money ask. My mom watches my 3yr a good bit so I can work n doesn’t even ask for money. I offer to take her out to eat once in awhile to thank her.
Five bucks a hour…my grandma was long gone before I even had kids. I would gladly pay any amount for my kids to be able to spend time with her. You sound ungrateful and entitled. I don’t think it’s too much to ask.
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If it’s occasional know a grandparent should not pay but if it’s on a daily situation absolutely you should pay…!!
Pay her!! That is so cheap and what a peace of mind you will have knowing someone that loves him will care for him. If you hire someone to care for your baby it isn’t going to be on $65 a week you will be paying that a day.
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If I need my sister to watch my kids i pay her. I buy my mother in law groceries so she watches my kids if they get sick and I’m at work. I look at it like this. My grandmother and mother raised kids already they dont need to just watch my kids for free. I have a brother in law who has his mom watch his kids while his and his wife work all week then asks if the kids can spend the night on the weekend. They dont pay her a dime. I think it is a slap in the face to take advantage of family.
You should definitely pay! It’s 3 days a week EVERY week! She is your plan A. Find another plan A that’s free & let me know…
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Even angels are hard to keep up with - anytime you are responsible for others, it’s work - my kids may never pay me but help in other ways