Paying mom/mil to watch DC

i know this has been asked before, but now that EDD is coming close, the topic has come up again.

For those of you who will be having mom/MIL watch DC when you go back to work, are you paying mom/MIL, and if so, how much?

My brother used to pay my mom $300/wk.

Personally, I think it is ridiculous that I should have to pay mom at all to watch but now that she expects it because my brother was paying her, I feel that I have to.

I'm fine with $100/wk, but $300 seems ridiculous to me. mom will be living with us M-F and going back to her house on the weekends (her choice, not ours).

For $300/wk, I could just send my child to daycare and not have my mom live with us.

As background, my mother and I don't have the best relationship, but she is insistant on babysitting DC and would be offended if I refused her "offer"

Re: Paying mom/mil to watch DC

I will be paying my MIL.

My plan is to give her $100/wk and get her a gas card. That's if she decides she'll help me vacuum, unload the dishwasher, etc. Simple light housekeeping things. Nothing ridiculous like scrubbing my floors.

If she's just going to watch the baby, then it will be less than that.

Re: Paying mom/mil to watch DC

My MIL watches DD 3 days/week and won't take a cent. We try to buy her gifts every so often to somewhat compensate her, which she gets mad at. She's retired and glad to spend time with her DD.

I don't know the going rate, but that does sound a bit high.

Re: Paying mom/mil to watch DC

My mom and MIL will be watching the baby and neither one would accept money.

I will however, stock the house with foods and stuff they like, since they'll be at our house most of the day.

I also bought each of them a pack n' play for their houses in case I have to bring the baby over there.

I also plan on spoiling them at holidays, birthdays, etc. with gifts from the baby!

Re: Paying mom/mil to watch DC

First of all, you are a better woman than me allowing your mom to live with you M-F. I don't have a great relationship with my mom either and I would literally rip my eyes out if that was going to happen in my home.

That being said, I agree that $300/week is a lot. If you are going to pay her at all, which I also agree is not necessary, $100 is plenty. Good luck with your decision.

Re: Paying mom/mil to watch DC

I haven't figured it out yet, but I definitely must help out my mom.... she is currently unemployed and officially stopped job hunting becuase she wants to be there for Crouton full-time.

that's a massive sacrifice, so we must help her out financially.....

Re: Paying mom/mil to watch DC

My MIL is watching my DD and she refuses to take any money. The only stipulation was that we would supply all the diapers/formula/bottles...etc that they would need.

Well a week before I went back to work my MIL went out and bought all this stuff so I wouldn't have to worry about buying that stuff until I was getting full paychecks again.

I think you should sit down and talk to your mom and see what her expectations are as far as being compensated or not. That way you know before the baby is born what the deal is going to be and you can plan accordingly.