My mother-in-law is just aching to babysit my baby once she's born (due Aug 29). She has already decorated a nursery and everything. She even said that she prefers me to go back to work so she can take care of the baby.
If I do chose to return to work and my MIL ends up babysitting, how much should I pay her? I'm not sure that she will accept any money because she is so excited to babysit, but how much (if anything) should I offer?
2006-07-20 05:24:33 · 18 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Other - Pregnancy & Parenting
I know how you feel. You need to know a basic amount that would be around the right price for daycare.
A normal day care will charge about $130/week, which is outrageous! You can offer - at the lowest $60/week, around average would be $75/week if you can pull that off.
2006-07-20 05:36:05 · answer #1 · answered by amyvnsn 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I think with her being family she wouldn't accept it. Family is there to help each other out. If you insist on paying her you can call around to see what other facilities charge to keep children during work hours. Also, if you want to do something for her and she won't accept money, try making her dinner sometime. After a long day of sitting it would be nice to be able and relax without having to prepare dinner one night. Also, you could pick a day like Saturday afternoon and take her out to do something with you as a way of saying thank you. Get her hair done, go to lunch, get a pedicure, anything like that where you can pay for her to have something done if she won't actually take the money from you. Hopefully you two get along well and if not use this as an opportunity to get together more often to become closer.
2006-07-20 05:31:48 · answer #2 · answered by MSHOTTIE 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Call around to local Day-Care centers and see what the average "going rate" is, ( you may be shocked to see how much your Mother-in-Law will be saving you) if she won't accept money perhaps you could offer to run some errands for her, clean her house once a week., Or perhaps just a nice dinner out on a Friday night. I'm sure You guys will come up with something that will work out to benefit you all. Congrats on the Baby!!!!
2006-07-20 05:39:04 · answer #3 · answered by Erin O. 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not sure about how much - but an idea might be that once you've agreed a rate if she WON'T take it, persuade her to pay the money into a bank account for the baby's future.
That way everybody does some good.
Doesn't have to be the full amount, just a token amount.
Also how much you pay will depend how much you are earning and your travel costs.
Phone up a couple of local childminders and ask them how much they charge - rates will be different everywhere
2006-07-20 05:32:50 · answer #4 · answered by cornwall_seo 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Depends on the going rate in your area and the hours you are talking about. If it is full-time, which adds up to be about 10-11 hours depending on your lunch and travel, she should get $75 a week and you provide food and diapers. If she refuses, how about setting up a bank account in the child's name and depositing that money in it every week without fail. My daughter pays the other grandmother $80 a week, but she begged to watch him for the money. She had paid the first sitter $100, then found one for $80 when that one went on maternity leave. This is in Kansas, by the way.
The previous poster doesn't think you should pay a grandmother, but if she is doing it full time, it is a job. When she watches them while you go to the movies, that is usually unpaid. But all day, for 5 days a week, it seems to be taking advantage if you don't at least offer.
2006-07-20 05:30:23 · answer #5 · answered by jboatright57 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The amount you pay depends upon how much you think that person is worth to you. My mother babysat for me, and I would pay her $60.00 a week and she would always say I didn't have to pay anything. I thought about what other people were paying a daycare and felt as if she wasn't getting enough. It's a tough choice to make, but in the end I feel as though you will come up with a good amount.
2006-07-20 05:30:59 · answer #6 · answered by superchocolatechick 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Figure out what you can afford to pay her and present the $ amount to her and tell her that it is all that you can afford. If she accepts then you are golden. My MIL is the best in the whole world and I would love it if she could take care of my daughter. Just relax about her and figure out a 2ed plan just in case things fall through. I was on a waiting list for infant care for 10 months to get my daughter into daycare.
2006-07-20 05:31:59 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
My mom watches my two boys (28 months and 12 months) Tuesday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. and we pay her $200 per week. She also does the laundry, picks up toys, etc. It might not seem like a lot, but she can take a break when she wants, nap when the boys nap, won't get in trouble if she's a little late to "work", etc. We also give her paid holidays, but we don't offer group insurance. :D
2006-07-20 14:58:30 · answer #8 · answered by brevejunkie 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't pay her! She's a grandmother!!! It would be insulting to pay her. Perhaps instead you should get her a nice little gift as a thank you, or take her out for lunch.
Make sure everything is stocked for her when she is babysitting, so that she doesn't have to worry about anything.
Pay a grandma for watching her grandchildren!? That is the dumbest thing I have ever heard!
2006-07-20 05:29:11 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Discuss this with your mom in law,tell her you you appreciate that she wants to help out but you dont feel right about not paying her something.Tell her you dont want to take advantage of her generousity.Im sure you can come to an agreement that works for everyone and noone gets offended or hurt!Good Luck!
2006-07-20 05:36:52 · answer #10 · answered by ? 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋