Childcare by mom/mother in law

I do not pay my mother in law to watch her grandchildren. It depends how long she is watching them and how often. But still I wouldn’t pay her unless she is requesting.

Everyone I know that has this arrangement doesn’t pay their mom or MIL. If they need financial help that’s something you should talk about.

My mom isn't able to help much, but when she does, I don't really pay her. I will get her dinner or groceries as a thank you since she doesn't have much money, but she would never expect it.

I paid my mom to watch my kids while my husband and I worked. She was very hesitant at first, but she didn't have any other source of income at the time and I appreciated that she chose to watch my kids instead of going back to work. We paid her around $800/month. We did that for about a year and a half. Now that she has her own source of income, she doesn't accept any payments when she takes care of them for date nights or whenever else we might need it.

We pay for my MIL flight tickets when we need her to come stay and take care for a bit. Then we take care of meals while she is in town.

that's cool how you were able to help each other out that way, mom probably needed it and it helped you. Christa, that's also super cool. It's great how she will do that ❤️ I think it's so great for grandparents to be in your kiddos lives as well, it's good for everyone.

I never pay my MIL. Whenever my husband asks her how much do you need she says “this is my grandchild, I got it. Do you and your wife need something??” Lol

i never paid my mom in law but she did think that she could put her foot in where it didn’t belong when rising my own kids so that was kinda annoying( wasn’t my kids dad mom my bf at the time we were together for 3 years but still)

Thank you ladies for responding, I would love to go back to work I’m self employed but childcare is so expensive in Los Ángeles it’s not even worth it. Also the thought of leaving them with a random person makes me feel so uneasy. I just wanted to know what’s the average Pay for Grandma’s taking care of your littles 💝 my mil is local and doesn’t work but she told me she’d rather pick up cans than watch her own grandchildren. I know (ouch) lol

you are so blessed 🥹

that’s so good my mom doesn’t work and she would love to watch them but I didn’t know what’s the average or acceptable amount to pay Grandma’s. Thank you

Maybe speak to your mum and see what you come up with together. If it helps her out and you then it's a win win and cheaper than childcare. I'm in the UK and childcare is so so expensive. They don't make it easy for parents to work. But if I was you I'd definitely have the conversation. She may say she wouldn't take money from you in which case you could provide money for activities and food when she has them maybe. X

I’m expecting my first but I plan to pay my mum if she has my child during the day as an alternative to nursery or childminder, which is when she would ordinarily have to work to pay the bills. She would love to be in a situation where she could afford to do it without payment but it isn’t possible. If it was the odd date night or trip away at a weekend then payment wouldn’t be needed x

I don’t pay my MIL, she lives by us. When my parents visit I cover all meals/outings.