Hiring Grandma

My mother watches my son after school until I get off work, she does a great job with him. She picks him up from school and helps him with his homework. She raised me so I know he is well cared for!

Grandparents are getting older and may be too frail to look after young children. They also did their own parenting in a different time. They may feel fine leaving the kids alone while they dash down the shops or giving them a dose of asprin or a tot of honey and brandy for a cold.

My mother has watched 16 of her grandchildren almost from the day they were born, now ranging in age from 25 to 3. She has been a Godsend to us and we know our children are safe, well fed, and loved. Yes, each child's parent has specific rules but none that have caused problems. My daughter is 3 and will be starting school next year. She is the last one of the grandkids who will be with Grandma full time and will be a great child because of it.

I am a grammy and I babysit my granddaughter four days a week. I love it but it is tiring. I follow my daugher and son-in-laws rules for their daughter and if I really disagree with something we discuss it. Only downside is that they have no back-up for me, which is highly stressful.

Geesh!! I raised my 2 kids and they survived!! I babysit my 20 month granddaughter and soon, in 2 weeks my 2 month old grandson. If my daughter did not trust me with the way I raised her or her brother, than she is more than welcome to find and pay someone else. It is not rocket science to childproof a home and I would never spank someone else's child even my own grandchild. All I ask for is provide the diapers and formula.

I'm not too sold on the idea. My mom and mother-in-law want to watch my son each once a week. I want them to have that special bond withOUT a parent frustration. It should be a special break from mom and dad, not "step-in parent" time. Watching a toddler 8-9 hrs a day is tiring. When mom and dad need a date night, who to ask? Grandma's already exhausted from the wk and her house somehow loses that desired feeling when you're there 40 hours a week. Just my opinion.

I believe grandmothers should realize and recognize that the new mom needs the most in the early weeks of childbirth somebody to help cook or provide healthy food for the mom and the family while the mom and dad exclusively take care of the new born. And it is better if they don't sleep over. I don't like anyone to take over the house, my babies,etc. sorry! Not good for my peace of mind.

As I read this series of articles, I am chattering back and forth with my four-month grandson, who I watch on a regular basis. I don't ask for nor do I want any financial payment. As a granny, I will help as much as I can. Communicate with each other, that is the ONLY way to make this routine work for everyone.

My mother watched our daughter for the two and a half years. It was great for both of them. My daughter was cared for by someone who adored her and my Mom stayed active in a really fun way. With regards to food and TV time, establish guidlines. I showed my Mom where the local parks were but let them explore the town on thier own.

what if yu wnt to be independent bt dnt wnna hurt yur spouse mother. like my husbands mom wants to cme and stay with us after our baby gets here for a week jst to help out, i understand she jst wants to be helpful bt i dnt wnt ne bdy there to get up with my baby through the night. that may be selfish bt this is my first child, and i want her all to my self sch 01/12/11

I think grandma is the best babysitter (as long as you all get along). She will never let harm get in his way. She teaches him every day.....and.....it makes her world a better place because she has the task of caring for him. She recently lost her husband so our son is the "apple of her eye" and he is the best depression medication ever!! Not to say I haven't had issues.....you just have to chose your battles.....sometimes......it makes no sense to make a big deal of the issue!!

I'am a grandma, who babysits my 1yr. old granddaughter. And I love it, my daughter works full time, I try and keep with my daughters schedule. Not real long naps, so she is not up all night. And it's works out great... But now my favorite perfume is ben-gay. I try not to let her eat to many sweet things, but I'am a little guilty.

I agree 100% with dispatcher30.My son gets everything he wants when he's at his grandparents. What his grandparents don't realize is that they are just teaching him to love them for what they GIVE him.Against what his pediatrician and pediatric dentist says, they give him warm chocolate bottles before bed and his entire food repertoire consists of pizza and noodles!This treatment only leads to cavities, rotting teeth, child obesity, malnutrition, and not to mention, a completely spoiled child.

Grandma babysitting does not work for us. We tried it but my daughter has allergies and my mom was always wanting to feed her junk. She is not even a year old. My husband I do not want her eating junk at this age and the grandparents did not agree with that. We also did not want her stuck in front of the TV all day. Our parents said it was a great "babysitter". YIKES! Now we have a wonderful nanny who charges us a very agreeable fee and we have piece of mind.

I think it is a great idea to have Grandma as the babysittier. As long as you both agree on a decent paymen plan and the amount of money the grandmother will be paid. When considering how much to pay the sitter you must figure in the amount of hours she will be watching the baby each week. Like for instance if she watched your baby for twenty hours a week she shoul get paid seventy five dollars, but if she watched 2 children for twenty hours the she should get paid $125.00 a week.

I think it is a good idea to have Grandma be the babysitter as long as a good payment is agreed and set in stone.

I think using Grandma as a sitter is a good idea as long as you set some guidelines. Just remember that there is always something about your childhood that you don't agree should be used with your child. Just make sure that you are all on the same page. If you don't agree with spanking, then make sure Grandma understands that. If you can get that accomplished, then who better to babysit than Grandma?