Parents that use their parents as free babysitters

I don't know why this annoys me.
This may rankle with some other board members because they love their grandkids and like to spend time with them and I say "More power to you." However, I would never agree to babysit for free no matter how much I loved the children. I feel that if people want to have kids, they should have enough money to pay for their care.
 

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I remember you don't. So, I am wondering what brought this on. Care to share? i.e. did someone break an appointment with you to sit (for free) with their grandchildren?
 
I think I explained that. I am expressing MY feelings.
Yes you did explain that but you contradicted yourself in your explanation. You said this to all those who love their grandkids and want to spend time with them, more power to you BUT then you went on to say that if people want to have kids then they should have money to pay for their care.

Do your children expect you to look after their children for free? Where is this venting coming from? Does everything you do involve payment of some kind?
 
Gee, my sister could make a fortune. She not only babysits her granddaughter but also cooks for free. She enjoys it, but apparently, you don't & consider it a "paying job." I'm guessin' you're a shallow person who isn't close to family.
 
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Yesterday I saw a woman in the market who was probably at least 80 years old with a baby in the shopping cat and a about a 4 year old toddler. She looked to tired and harassed I felt sorry for her, especially if she was doing it for free.
And you know she wasn't being paid or remunerated in some way?
 
I didn't say she was... I said IF.


Yesterday I saw a woman in the market who was probably at least 80 years old with a baby in the shopping cat and a about a 4 year old toddler. She looked to tired and harassed I felt sorry for her, especially if she was doing it for free.

Then isn’t it HER business to choose whatever she wants? Who are we to judge her? We can’t expect others to live by our own morals and ethics. People have their own reasons for doing things that isn’t really our business or concern.
 
Just when the seniors can kick back and have a rest after raising a family, they now have to raise another. When I was a kid, my mom HIRED a babysitter if I had to be left alone for any time. She's never think of asking her mother or mother-in-law to stay with me.
 
Parents that use their parents as free babysitters.
This may rankle with some other board members because they love their grandkids and like to spend time with them and I say "More power to you." However, I would never agree to babysit for free no matter how much I loved the children. I feel that if people want to have kids, they should have enough money to pay for their care.
Best be savin' up for when you need tended
what doesn't go around, doesn't necessarily come around
 
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One of the great relationships of my life was with my grandma who was paid in love, devotion and respect. I didn't stay with someone paid to be with me, but with someone who loved to be with me.
And, as I said, you can't say for sure what you'd do because you just can't know, not having experienced it. You're speculating from a vacuum.
 
Just when the seniors can kick back and have a rest after raising a family, they now have to raise another. When I was a kid, my mom HIRED a babysitter if I had to be left alone for any time. She's never think of asking her mother or mother-in-law to stay with me.
Who says they ‘have’ to? Aren’t you just speculating or maybe projecting your ideals onto others?
 
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We share our home with our daughter, husband and two kids, now 17 and 24. High school and college. I have voluntarily driven the youngest to school and from school since she was in pre-school and now in high school. When we were way in Maine or Florida for long periods, her folks took them or made arrangements. If I don't feel well or have something planned, someone else handles the chore.

I wouldn't trade those days for any amount of money and the thought of connecting money to something like that is insulting. All of the occasional afternoon stops for a soda or ice cream or ice cream or dropping off another of her friends at their home are treasured memories. I'll be 86 in a couple of months am still driving. Hopefully I'll be able to continue for the next year when she'll graduate and be off to college.

Sorry for the long tale, but just wanted to show that it's a blessing, not a chore, to take care of family, young or old.
 

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