Hi there! Baby #1 is due in September and my retired mom is really excited to look after him in her home (yes, we are LUCKY!). It is really important to us to pay her something even though she'd do it for free, but we have no idea what reasonable compensation would be. Any thoughts? Thanks in advance!
B.
Thanks, mamas, for all the great responses! We have lots to think about!!
i say , no money!.....do favors for her,have her lawn mowed, paint her bedroom,take her to dinners, bring her groceries, cookies, presents, keep it going, She will most likely refuse money, or try to. This way you can show her how much she is appreciated and spend time with her.
And yes you are lucky, this kind of thing makes me miss my mom, very much
I think you should pay her half the going rate.
"Reasonable compensation" would be what you could aford. However, if she doesn't "need" it, she probably won't accept it. Rather than actually giving her a weekly check, I would focus on making sure she doesn't need to incur any expenses for taking care of your child. Make sure she has diapers, wipes, formula, a car seat, toys, etc. If she's busy with the baby, she may not have time to cook, get her a few gift cards so she can go out. Maybe bring her take out once a week. Give her a gift for something she really enjoys, like theater tickets or a pedicure. And most importantly, don't forget to say thank you on a regular basis and let her know her help is truly appreciated.
Anything she really likes doing? Get her flowers at the end of every week. Or, cook dinner so she doesn't have to. I don't know, if you're just thinking money, I agree with half the going rate.
yeah pay her/ i'd say 200 a week.
maybe once a week take her to dinner?
My sister babysits her grandkids and her daughter called around and pays her the same that she would have to pay a child care center.
Since she probably not going to accept cash but maybe offer to pay for her health insurance in exchange. We all know medicare is usually not enough.
I live in the "loo" too and I know a family that has your same situation. They pay $80 per child a week. They have 2 but paid that same rate when it was only 1. They are firm on pick up and drop off times. Any other grandma time is different and they don't pay. Hope this is what you are looking for.
We paid my MIL $100 a week. We also supplied diapers, wipes, food, etc.
My own mother was horrified. She would never have accepted $$$ for something she considered a priviledge. She said we spent many days and nights and extended vacations with our grandparents and that she was happy to do the same for my children.
Along comes my SILs child and she paid her own mother (my MIL) no $$$. My husband and I felt really wierd about this. Still do.
