I need ideas...

KOster212

My mom is watching DD while DH and I are at work. She has her 5 days a week from 7am-4:15pm and I'm supposed to be paying her. I was just informed this morning that she won't take our money because she is Nana and she just wants to watch DD. I would be find with that if she didn't watch her so much. I feel bad like I'm using her and I don't want to be one of those children. Especially since we have the means to pay her something at least. I guess my question is, what can DH and I do for my mom to show our gratitude?

LauraLynneC

Put the money in an account for her and hand her to statement along with vacation idea printouts once a year?

Logramer

Does she like to eat out?  Maybe gift card to eat out?

Membership to the zoo or musuem?  If she enjoys them and take your DD with? 

Does she own her own home?  Maybe pay for someone to take care of the lawn and landscape?

I hope that helps! 

 

 

clineak

LauraLynneC:

Put the money in an account for her and hand her to statement along with vacation idea printouts once a year?

I like this idea. A variation could be using the money you would've paid her to buy an airline gift card.

WatchPot

Bring over a bunch of groceries every other week

hire someone to clean her home once a month

fill up her car with gas, if she takes your kids places and does things with them

buy her a nice camera/video camera/laptop/toy she would enjoy having in her house as her very own

buy a membership to the zoo or one of the museums so she has an activity to do with the children

gakester8

I really like all the above ideas - if she likes watching movies and you think she's understand how to use it, consider a netflix subscription. or if she likes massages, maybe a massage envy membership and gift cards for massages. 

JRS72206

clineak:

LauraLynneC:

Put the money in an account for her and hand her to statement along with vacation idea printouts once a year?

I like this idea. A variation could be using the money you would've paid her to buy an airline gift card.

Both of these sounds great! 

CDMay2006

Everyone has great ideas!  You can make sure there are things for them to do (kids' classes, zoo passes, etc., doing the legwork for library activities, kid's music concerts, etc.), kid-friendly restaurant gift cards and gas cards.  What about signing them up for classes together, and paying for her to take some classes (pottery, cooking, writing workshop, etc.) on her own?

ChristineVet

What a bunch of great ideas everyone has! We are getting housecleaning every other week for my mom in exchange for watching DS 1-2 days/week.

jennlin

LauraLynneC:

Put the money in an account for her and hand her to statement along with vacation idea printouts once a year?

i like this a lot!

KOster212

Thank you so much ladies! I love all the ideas I got! I mentioned it to her this morning and she said to just keep the money in an account and if she needs anything, she will ask for it. DH is systems engineer so we are also going to trade his help with her computer or any other electronics he knows how to fix.