Having a child is no easy task, especially when you’re trying to balance your career and maintain a well-rounded life. Many new parents often turn to their own parents for help, relying on them to assist with babysitting their precious little one. However, not every family sees eye to eye on this matter, and when a mother-in-law demands payment for babysitting her grandchild, things can get complicated.

“I’m in a tough spot right now,” says one frustrated mother. “My husband and I have a beautiful six-month-old baby, and we both work full-time. My mother-in-law recently retired and kindly offered to take care of our baby while we’re at work. It’s been working out well, and I appreciate everything she does. She goes above and beyond by not only looking after the baby but also helping with cooking, cleaning, and doing the dishes.”

However, a shocking conversation changed everything. The mother-in-law requested to be paid for the time she spends with the grandchild. This left the new mother feeling a mix of emotions – shock, frustration, and confusion. “I can’t believe she would put a price on spending time with her own grandchild,” she explains. “In my own experience, my own grandmother used to babysit me and my siblings out of pure love, without ever expecting payment. I also used to babysit for free when I was younger. It’s hard for me to comprehend this situation.”

Unsurprisingly, this issue has caused tension in the marriage. The husband believes that the mother-in-law should be compensated because hiring a stranger to take care of their child would be more expensive. This leaves the mother at a loss for words and feeling lost in her search for a solution.