Gift? Compensation? For my mom watching baby
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Our parents are watching our son too, everyone is so happy to have time with him and also to help us save the money on daycare as well! I think surprising them here and there with things that made you think of them comes across very thoughtful and they would appreciate being thought of 😊
I would cook meals for her! Book some fun activities for her to do with the baby. Maybe a day at the zoo, day at the aquarium, etc. Would be nice to provide her some treats for her days off too! Massage or nails, movie outing, classes that she would love etc.
If it was my mom I would do $100 each week. When you think about it that’s not much at all and she could use that money to buy whatever she wants or needs
Does she need the money? If not, then I would buy her things on a regular basis like necklace, shoes, Clothes, etc.
We get my MIL a massage, usually once a month
I keep the house stocked with snacks they like. Always be respectful of her time limits. Make sure she is getting time with the baby that isn’t “work” time. Sometimes I offer to DoorDash lunch. That’s usually how we pay my sister when she babysits for us. DoorDash whatever she wants for dinner
You could give her a gift card every month or gift package of some sort
My parents & my inlaws looked after my kids when they were little while we worked. They didn't accept any money either (although, only 1-2 days a fortnight but it was for 4.5 years). So we just bought them more extravagant gifts for their birthdays, Christmas, mothers/fathers day instead.
I hope to live long enough to do this for my children if they decide to have kids, it’s a blessing. Sometimes telling someone how grateful you are for them is a gift. It really all depends on their love language as well.
If she doesn’t want payment maybe something a little extra birthday/xmas. Maybe some of your time ie a lunch date or going to the theatre, spa or something. At the very least I would invite her over for dinner as a thankyou. I imagine it will be very tiring for her.
Maybe a token for her fuel and food? Filling her fridge with stuff for baby and supplying money for “activities”. Basically so she’s never out of pocket and then a big gift for her bday/xmas/Mother’s Day.
My boyfriend buys his mom's cigarettes as compensation, she's expensive.
Take her out to eat at her favorite place each week. Or give her a voucher for a spa or massage like something to relax (once or twice a month maybe.)
Just take her out once a month, and besides that get your toes done together or something. If she said no, then she is telling you that it is a gift in itself. Maybe you can save $50 aside each time she watches them and then use that money to get her some thing after a couple months.
You’re so lucky! Childcare here is at the very least 300-400 per week; usually much more than that. If she isn’t accepting money, maybe just buy her meals every day? Or treat her to a monthly massage or other activity she might enjoy but might not want to splurge on for herself.