If you have a close relative babysitting...

brittneycc1982

What do you do as far as payment?  My mom will be coming here to watch the girls 4 days a week.  She's going to have to get up at 530am, and be here until about 3/330pm.  I am going to make sure she has gas money, whatever food she likes while here, and money if she wants to venture out with the girls.. but I feel like she's doing A LOT of work.  I KNOW she will not accept money from me.  So how do you work it out with your relative?

YoLinds28

My mom watched my two boys while I worked. It was only part time, I have been paying for her cell phone, so that I know I can get ahold of her anytime. I take food to her house also, so that the boys don't eat her out of house and home. lol

metisca

My mom watches my girls, but just one day a week.  We get her potted plants or hanging baskets occasionally, and DD1 makes her lots of paintings and drawings.  She loves watching them!  I hope it goes well for you, and congrats on your new job!!!

brittneycc1982

Thanks!  I figured it was kinda silly to pay your own mom. Haha.. Just wasn't sure what they expect.  I know my mom LOVES watching the girls, but they are definitely exhausting.  My mom will need a nap everyday. : )

amazingkel

I would ask her if there is some bill u could pick up for her...like her cell or something like that.

marriedchick06

My family doesn't accept money either when they watch my kids. My sister had the girls 2 days last week so I bought her a couple packs of diapers because I knew she wouldn't take money. My mother in law keeps them 1 day a week, so we buy their dinner if we got out to eat here and there because she won't accept money either.

Dani123

I was going to suggest an occasional dining giftcard so her and gramps can have a nice free date nite...thats what we do.

May524

lrob313:

My mom used to watch DD two days a week and now watches her one day.  She absolutely will not let DH and I pay her ANYTHING or give her any type of gift.  She's just ridiculous like that though. We try to be a little more extravagant with her birthday and Christmas gifts to make up for it, but you know how that is.

Same here. My mom watches DS every day.  He will go preschool in the fall, but she will be the one bringing him and picking him up (it's only 4 hours 3 days a week).  I bring her Starbucks daily and every now and then throw in a yummy pastry.  I also bring her anything I bake and supply some of DS food (like today I sent fruit, yogurt and his lunch).

neverblushed

Ugh -- I'm late on the reply here, but I've really dealt with this situation.  My mom has babysat my kids for 10 years, enabling me to work p/t. 

Initially, she did about 6 hours a day, 3 days a week.  When DS was born, I quit teaching, and she did from 2 to 4:30 twice a week, so not quite as intense.

She's never been willing to take money for it.  She says she was helped out a lot by both sets of my grandparents when I was little and that she's "paying it forward" and I'm supposed to remember that when I'm a grandparent.

Like you, I tried to keep stuff in my house for her that I knew she likes: her type of soda, her favorite snacks, etc.  But that seems a pittance in return for what she's done for my family.