A simple question of family etiquette

[[Syl]]

Cool. Thanks, guys. I was wondering, since my mother-in-law is here, and she was complaining how my brother-in-law hadn't paid her for babysitting this week. It was kind of a shock to me, since even offering a family member of mine over the age of 13 money for babysitting would be considered insulting (though trading some groceries or something of equal value or hiding some money for them somewhere where they'll find it later is acceptable, even if you can expect to find it yourself later).

My bro-in-law and his wife just had a premie, and now they're both back to work and struggling to pay the bills. And then she says something about how if they don't pay her later, they'll have to find someone else. *shakes head*

[Astavyastataa Kadna]

I said yes ... tho I think it depends. If for a short time, and I am dropping the kids off and picking them up - no. If it is for an extended period of time ... say because of a two week no-kids vacation, and I am putting grandparents out ... then yes. Certainly, any out-of-pocket (food, transport, etc) expenses should be covered.

In practice, in my family (years ago - kids 19 and 21 (DAMN! I'm old )) I leave money to cover miscellaneous stuff for kids, and then take grandparent(s) out for dinner or show appreciation in some other tangible way.

[Menolly]

(DAMN! I'm old ))

Watch it, mister. You are only a month (or was it three months) older than me! Even if Beorn is only 13.

[bloodguard bob]

One is not to pay their parents to watch the kids. The kids are to work it off in trade. We're out of the house, for the most part, so who's to do the chores that we used to do? Problem is sometimes grandmas and grandpas won't get the kids to do anything. Sad really. My brother's kids boss my parents around all day with, "Make me a snack...oh I don't like it." and "Buy me that toy...oh, I'm bored with it."
Put those kids to work. Works up the appetite and keeps 'em from gettin' bored.

[Avatar]

Put those kids to work. Works up the appetite and keeps 'em from gettin' bored.

Damn straight.

--A

[Menolly]

But for younger kids? Infants and toddlers?

[Avatar]

A good 50-gallon oil-drum usually works wonders...

--A

[Prebe]

I agree with Edge, who agrees with Cail, and also with Cail's agreement with Av's agreement with Damelon's proviso.

Avatar: I've always thought the shopping trolly with the litter box underneath was a better solution

[Avatar]

Oh...good idea! More hygenic.

--A

[Menolly]

A good 50-gallon oil-drum usually works wonders...

--A

Avatar: I've always thought the shopping trolly with the litter box underneath was a better solution

You guys are sick.
S-I-C-K, I tell you.
Sick.

[emotional leper]

You're right. Tossing infants into an oil drum is no where near economic as is tossing baby chickens into said oil drum. The Infants are just so much larger.

Just go down to the rendering plant.

[drew]

If we use my parents; we'll usually have dinner made for them to eat while they're here....

and if they watch them a bunch in a short legnth of time; then we'll offer to take them out somwhere (ironically; we have to get a real babysitter then)...but if we do go, dad will usualy try to pay.

[Farm Ur-Ted]

Hell no! She's probably half the reason you had the kid to begin with, right? All that naggin': When you gonna have kids? Grandmas work for free.

[Prebe]

Hell no! She's probably half the reason you had the kid to begin with, right? All that naggin': When you gonna have kids? Grandmas work for free.

ROFLMAO!!!!

You'r damned straight they do!!!!

[emotional leper]

Hell no! She's probably half the reason you had the kid to begin with, right? All that naggin': When you gonna have kids? Grandmas work for free.

ROFLMAO!!!!

You'r damned straight they do!!!!

So the fact I'm getting spayed is a good thing, then?

[Prebe]

Depends on your how much nagging from your mother you can take

[emotional leper]

Depends on your how much nagging from your mother you can take

My mother already secretly (so she thinks!) doubts my humanity.

The fact that she merely doubts it, when I've flat out to her face told her that the difference between me and Hitler is I love the Jews and am not that Charismatic, is, of course, the subject of much debate.

[Menolly]

So...

Will I be taking your mother's side once we meet, EL?

[emotional leper]

So...

Will I be taking your mother's side once we meet, EL?

I don't know how to take that.

Spoiler

Maybe I'll just have to AK some poor random fool in the first chapter to convince you I'm Evil.

[SoulBiter]

Im a few years from being a Grandparent but when the time comes I hope my kids dont expect a free babysitting service cause its not gonna happen.

Not that I wouldnt be willing to help them out short term but long term.. No. Having kids comes with the responsibility of watching them and raising them. Having them and then expecting the Grandparents to watch them 9 hours a day is just irresponsible in my opinion.