Parenthood is one of life’s most rewarding journeys, but it is also challenging, exhausting, and financially demanding. Many new parents naturally hope for help from their own parents or in-laws, assuming grandparents will be eager to step into the role of loving caregivers. But as one viral story proved, those expectations don’t always match reality.
The story began on Reddit, where a woman shared her experience after returning to work following the birth of her baby. She reached out to her 64-year-old mother with what she thought was a simple request: to watch her newborn during work hours. To her surprise, her mother said no.
The grandmother explained that she had already raised her own children and now wanted to enjoy retirement without the demands of full-time childcare. She suggested her daughter and son-in-law consider a more “traditional” arrangement where one parent stays home. But because the daughter was the higher earner, stepping away from her job wasn’t a realistic option.
Instead, the grandmother proposed a different arrangement: she would babysit, but only if compensated at a rate of $20 per hour. She also required duplicate supplies for the baby—diapers, formula, wipes, bottles, toys, and clothing—so she wouldn’t have to transport items back and forth.
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