Babysitting is working. Whether its family, friends, whomever. They deserve to be paid.
Would you pay someone to babysit your child? The most precious thing you have in this world? Yes? Then pay your family member for the inconvenience and for taking your responsibility on her shoulders.
You would have to pay anyone else, so help your granny out. And that’s pretty cheap.
An active child can be a bit much for a 65 yr old. $65 sounds like a bargain to me especially if you have the peace of mind that your child is being well taken care of. Maybe grandma can treat herself with that extra $65.
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Pay her you do realize she is doing you a favor. And you are clearly taking advantage because you are livid that she expects money. Well I bet she is livid that you don’t give her something for taking care of your child and making sure he his taken care of. My children are worth more than 65.00 dollars to me.
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You get paid . she is giving up her time as well as you. I watch my grandbabys no pay but only mom working for babies. She.buys them what they need.
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Yes u should pay ,if she didn’t watch him u would have to pay the daycare,and pay much more than 65$
Yes she should be paid. Just because she’s your grandmother doesn’t me she should do it for nothing. If she wasn’t around you still would have pay someone
I pay my stay at home sister. I trust her more then anyone else and she needs the money. I work good so his dad and I can afford it no problem. Its only 40 a week.
I would or never have asked to be paid to keep my grandkids. They spend the night anytime they want to or if I am asked to keep them overnight, teo nights or a week. On the other hand if your mom is unemployed and needs the money to make ends meet then by all means you are getting by much cheaper than paying daycare.
I watched my youngest grandson from age 2months until this year when he started pre-school. I still watch his older brother after school. They spend most Friday nights and sometimes Saturday nights and longer on holidays and summers. I am 60 and wouldn’t charge to be with my grandkids. My parents watched my kids while I worked and if on occasional dates or events. It’s what my family does
Or you could pay a daycare at least double that and have strangers watch him
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You would have to pay someone.And isn’t it nice having someone you can trust and loves him.
She is doing you a favor at that rate.
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Just because it’s family doesn’t mean they HAVE to offer free childcare for you! Would you expect free art if it was a family member? I sure hope not!
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You’re livid? Because you can’t get for free what you would pay 3xmore anywhere else? Entitled much???
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Yes you should pay her. It’s not her responsibility. Just because she’s related to you her time isn’t worth anything. You are lucky that’s all she asks for and that you have someone trustworthy to watch your child! It should be her decision to charge or not, not yours. You should be thankful instead of this entitled attitude you have to your grandma. Shame on you.
My children and I came to an agreement and actually they were the ones that made the arrangement when they go to work and make it a paycheck and I have the children that I get a paycheck if they go out on a date then then it is Nana time
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I pay everyone to watch my kids, while I work regardless if they’re family or not. Of course my family loves to keep my kids, and when they get them just to enjoy them, it’s different. But to watch them every day all day while I work, I pay 100$ a week
I paid my mom more than that because I valued her.
My brother paid me to watch his 3 girls for 8 hours a day 4 days a week. I never would have charged because we’re family but he insisted. I don’t think it’s wrong of her to expect a little bit of compensation for spending so much of her personal time to watch your child. Trust me it’s much cheaper then a day care.
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When you have grandkids you can babysit for free and be better than your mother!!
I would have initially insisted on paying her something or doing something for her in return as payment but I feel that she’s wrong to take the money 
. Everyone needs some help here and there and yes it’s cheaper then your child going to some day care but I would think a grandmal or any family member would just enjoy being there.
Using family for free babysitting on a regular schedule of multiple times a week is not okay.
Sure you should pay …I’m sure it’s added income plus I’m sure she guys things for him to have that she wouldn’t normally buy
I keep my granddaughter and wouldn’t think of charging my daughter
My Mimi, 76, helps me get my 5 year old to/from school on the days I need help. She has never asked for a dime… so on Friday’s we try to get her a muffin from Dunks (she loves them) and we try to help out around her apartment when she needs help.
Yes. I paid my grandma to watch my children and had her stay at my house during the week cause she lived 2 far
Yes you should pay. If she didn’t watch them you would have to pay for care elsewhere and it wouldn’t be with the love and care she would give.
At $10/hr, let’s just pick that amount as an example, 12 hours/week, this is a bargain. Maybe she needs the money for gas and meds. Because it is a regularly scheduled job, not occasional babysitting, she may have a point.
So if you don’t want to pay your grandmother to look after YOUR child then pay a complete stranger double that at an after school care program!! Or better still look after him yourself! Gees, you should be greatful to have someone to look after him in the first place!!
I’m currently paying 125 a week for daycare and it’s a family member that’s watching him. So yes you should pay the 65. Before you end up paying 150 plus a week becouse the way daycare works is regardless if you take him that day or not you have to pay for the whole week to keep his spot.
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Flat out you chose to have kids, and yes u have to work…but EXPECTING free daycare is so wrong!!! Poor woman is trying to help u and teach u to be responsible and u want to be “livid” with her!!! Crazy! I never asked my parents ever to watch my kids…but i try n help my younger siblings with childcare but i charge them $2/hr just to help us both…cuz daycare is way expensive but my time n food is not unlimited…its a give and take…
Yes family should be paid and the same amount you’d pay anyone else if not more. They are using their own time to watch your child. I’m sure there’s better things she could be doing for herself.
And $65 a week is nothing compared to actual daycare. You should be paying her more honestly. And just because you think your child is perfect it doesn’t mean he is. I’ve had lots of parents tell me their kids are great but once they’re here they’re little monsters. Also most older people are on ss and don’t have much money and can’t work at a normal job anymore. That small amount you give her could be helping her with her bills.
She’s not babysitting for a date night… she’s watching your child during the week, taking time that she could be doing something else. She should get something for it.
If it’s a schedule while you work it’s a job for her so pay her. If it’s just a night out to the movie or shopping and she wants to keep them while you do your grocery shopping that’s a different story. Never take advantage of her time.
How he behaves has no bearing on whether you should pay or not. Good for your grandma!!!
I watch my grandson at no charge to my daughter. She does however help me out when she can. However a person at 64 years old is probably on a limited income so she may need that extra money to make it through the month. Childcare is not cheap don’t complain about handing grandma $65 for watching you son. You know you can trust her with your child and if at a daycare center I’m sure that in the back of your mind you would be worrying if he was ok all the time.
Absolutely! If your family member is scheduling around the days they have your children, then hell yes! It’s selfish otherwise when your the only one making money. What a crock. If its a once in awhile thing of course not. But if a schedule has to be made then so does money. Period!
If it’s scheduled and regularly, yes. If it’s occasional and they choose to spend time with the child, no.
Depends on the family and the situation , but yeah you could have to pay someone else.
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well its time she could be doing other things. plus she feeds him. family isn’t obligated to watch your kid at all. 65 is reasonable for 3 days a week. be happy you have family to help with your kids. some of us arent that lucky.
That’s crazy my grandma is 83 yrs old and she watches my kids for free but I don’t work but we have a lot of appointments being a big family and all
I mean, your kids aren’t someone else’s responsibility so if they want payment, I don’t blame them. I wouldn’t expect free childcare. Be thankful you have someone to help out at all.
I’m sorry, but you chose to have a child, and in choosing this, it is your responsibility to provide for him. Grandparents should not be taken advantage of because of their title. You are expecting her to take time from her day/week to care for your child with no compensation? Do you think that if you went to a day care they would discount you for his good behavior? Of course not! When I was expecting and before my husband said his mom would watch ours, and I fully expected to pay her, but as it turns out she wasn’t able to; I wasn’t mad because she said no, I moved on and found a solution. We decided to have a child, so we made it work. I would have gladly paid her or anyone else that was trust worthy more than $65 a week. Be grateful.
Please be thankful and grateful… it’s just money, and think of the things she is buying your kids with that money… take it from someone that grew up with out grandparents and lost my mother at 21 and my father at 25… child care is scary, expensive and a huge necessity if you have to work.
I understand why you feel the way you feel but if grandma wasn’t there you would have to pay. I don’t think she is asking for a lot. But it is her time that she could be using for other things and you should pay her. If she was only watching him here or there then i could see that being a courtesy but that’s a demand on her time, pay the woman.
I don’t charge my boy’s to babysit my grandkids, but every now and then they’ll take me to eat someplace, and I’ll except or if one of the kids want something special to eat they buy for them, it’s tough now a days
Yes you should pay her! After all she is watching your kids.
Why not pay her. Your gonna have to pay of the child attends a day care or you hire a sitter
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No. It’s my pleasure to spend quality time with my grandkids. It’s never babysitting
why shouldn’t you pay her? $65 IS CHEAP. HIre a daycare and see how much you would pay them. Feel lucky you have her babysit for you instead if having to take them to a complete stranger.
I am a mimi of 3 (2, 4 mo and 1 mo) and I have asked to be paid. Not always but if it is a regular thing for you to work and me to watch your child, I should be paid. You couldn’t get a babysitter that cared for your child for that price so pay up. It is not her job to watch your child.
Yes family should be paid to watch your children. Maybe at a discount but not free. Because it takes from there day. And children have to eat and so on.
I paid mom $500 and month to watch my 3 year old and pick my 8 year old up from school. Which is cheap! Heck yes you should pay and be grateful you have a family member who can watch them and trust. Money helps pay for snacks breakfast, lunch dinner if needed. It also pays for gas that she uses to pick my kids up from school or take them fun places after school. It also pay for her time… please try to think of it a different way.
Absolutely yes you should be paying for his care, no matter who is watching him, well behaved or not.
$65 a week is cheap n she probably is asking for it because her grocery bill has gone up because she is feeding an extra person 3 days a week.
My mom (67) watches my daughter (4) monday through friday afterschool for a few hours and I pay her minimum of $20/day. Her time isnt free, and thats much cheaper than I would pay a daycare, and I know that my child is in capable hands.
Damn right you should pay her! Your attitude alone shows how much you appreciate her and her help.
If you don’t want to pay her then find someone else who will watch your child for free!
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Not unreasonable to pay her for consistently watching your child- family or not- I’m sure that little bit of extra income helps her provide food & snacks- especially if she’s on a fixed income. My dad watches my 2 kiddos M-F & weekends when needed so I can work & I help him with bills & pay him $100/week for his time.
I keep my year old granddaughter 5 days a week from 8-3. I supply food, washing clothes, if needed, i buy clothing to have extra at my home, for no pay. Im 46 yes old and i also work as a bartender nightly… if school is out, i will have my other 2 grandchildren as well, 6 and 3… is exhausting. But our bond is so strong.
If it’s an occasional time I do not pay my folks but when it is consistent child care service then yes. Pay
My grandparents wouldn’t accepted payment I’m sure ( in my case) but I’d try to pay them. You are getting child care with someone you trust for a great price.
She is feeding him, loving him and doing you a favor… she may need help financially.
Yes,if she asks. I never ask for money to watch my grandchildren or friends kids. But if my mother watches she asks and she should be paid. Its alot to be responsible for another child when they get older. Same with my kids if they babysit family they request snacks or a small $10 fee.
Maybe she needs the income? Ever think of that? Remember she is doing you a favor you did say she was your Grandma.
Yes you should. I paid my mom to watch my son its ur responsibility not hers. Either that or if the father is involved work out so.ething between the two of yall
I have kept my grand son since he was 2mos. Old never ask or recieved any payment. Just.love quality time and being there for him
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Its 25 an hour normally for 65 for all that is wonderful. Plus she must need the money
Take him somewhere else and pay double… plus worry about him being mistreated…maybe she needs the money or in her mind trying to make you responsible 
… you sound like you think you are entitled to a free ride…
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She’s 62 and you’re using her as daycare. She probably wants you to find actual daycare. Why would you put that on her in the first place?
You should not expect free child care on a regular basis, even from family. If you can’t afford to pay them, and that is why you use family and need it free, then offer something in return, like cleaning her house or running errands.
My mum has my son Thursday night and all day Friday to save me one day of daycare fees. I send him with everything the same as I would to daycare. Nappies milk food clothes etc. But if she asked for $$ I would def pay her… it’s one day a week she cannot work and it’s saving me a load on daycare fees!
And why would you want to take advantage of your parents or your grandparents anyway…
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You don’t know her expenses but she’s worth it so pay her
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Offer to pay her she might not want to have to deal with small kids everyday or find another babysitter that you don’t have to pay!!!
If it’s consistent then yes she should be paid for childcare. I tell my kids if I ask for the grandkids to come over then no charge. Otherwise, my daughters will compensate me for childcare and they are okay with that.
$65 a week? My mother in law was making me pay $467 every two weeks and I had to fill her gas tank. Be thankful
If you can’t pay stay at home with them. She does the job just like you do your job and you expect to be paid so yes she should be paid.
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You cannot find a day care for that…I think she is saving you $100 a week at least. If it is childcare…not babysitting on an occasional date night…yes, she should be paid.
I had never took money from my children or other family. My grandaughter. When she calls and ask If i would baby set I said No thats not my job my job is called grandparenting and yes I will anytime
Being a grandma myself, I would say, hell yell, Or pay somebody else! That little money you paying, is probably going right back to them, food is not cheap either
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At the max hours you listed (12 hours), $65 is a little over $5 an hour!!! Wellllll worth it, I say! You know he is well taken care of and that piece of mind is definitely worth it!!!
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I pay my cousins wife 125 a week right now to watch my 3yr old. She has to make some money just like I do and she is doing me the favor.
Just because she is family its not right to take advantage. A point might be she could use the money. I babysit my kids and granfkids dogs. They pay me half of what 3 dogs would cost at a kennel and they know I will play with them, walks and great care. I need the money to make ends meet. I wish I could for just love.
If this is her business, then yes, she should be paid. You can only watch so many kids, so if she’s keeping him for you, that is taking up a space she could be paid for.
You didn’t have kids for her to look after them for free it’s your child think yourself lucky you have her from a mother who has to pay for full time child care
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I probably wouldn’t charge but it is good to offer sometimes we need the money but want to be nice offer it is great and makes you feel good
65.00 a week is nothing. Daycare would cost you way more than that. I think it’s ridiculous that you even have an issue with paying her. I’m sure she needs the money or she wouldn’t even ask.
Yes because she has already raised her kids, this should be her time to do whatever she wants to do, therefore if she has to spend her free time watching your kids she should get paid for it.
All these grandmothers are commenting but the way I read this post this child is this woman’s GREAT grandkid so all you GRANDMAS would you still feel the same in 20 years?? This lady should be paid!!
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I don’t see a problem here. A measly $65 a week for child care by grandma. Maybe grandma needs to buy bread and milk ya think‼️
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If it was me I would’ve paid her. No question. Shes watching your child so you can make money. I dont know why u wouldn’t pay. Your child is at place he knows with family. The trust and love that’s there.
Yes she should get paid and she asking for just a little be of money cause is someone’s duet you will be paying a list 100 dollars and that got nothing to do if the child is a good behavior child.
Just pay the women as she could just enjoy her own free time! Don’t take advantage of your grandmother who is the one helping you out!
Just because she is family does NOT mean she has to do this for free. She is taking time out of her day just as anyone else would, regardless of how well behaved he is, to watch him. You have the wrong attitude about this situation. My grandmother watched my daughter while I worked for two years and I always made sure she had groceries etc. she never asked for me to pay her but I volunteered to buy her groceries. She would give me a list of things she needed and I’d go get them for her. You should be thankful that she’s even willing to do it because a daycare or someone doing in home babysitting would charge more. Just like when my mother watched my daughter after school until I got home (maybe 2 hours a day) I bought her gas for the week.
Not really. I don’t think. It gives family time with the grandkids and it allows you to work.
She could be doing other things she raised her kids I am sure family doesn’t mind time to time but on a regular basis is locking her down from doing what she wants to when she wants to and I am sure she feeds him etc
She’s making less than $6 an hour to give love and care to your baby…it’s definitely worth it. Now if it was your Mom I would think differently.
I’m just confused as to why ur so pissed off about having to pay her?? You won’t find FREE child care anywhere??? And a daycare would charge u way more. Pay ur grandma and stop complaining before she decides she isn’t trying to watch him anymore. So ungrateful.
Yes I would pay. Even if it was family. They are still feeding, using electricity, water and her own time.