Paying Grandparents to childmind

[Tizzybudd]

We are having a "discussion" at home at the moment - during the hols our daughter goes to a childminder 2 days a week and her to her grandmother's 3 days a week. We pay the childminder �34 per day and her grandmother �25. The "discussion" is whether it is reasonable for grandparents to ask for money for looking after granchildren - any thoughts or experiences greatly appreciated before we end up killing each other indoors!

Thanks, Tizzy!

[Pirate1]

I think its perfectly reasonable to pay grandparents. It would obviously cost you more at the childminers for those three days. I have found that when my friends son comes to stay with me, it seems to cost me a fortune because I get food in specially that he will like and also on things to entertain him. If we go out for the day thats a whole chunk of expense!

[taperface]

I think it's more than reasonable for grandparents to ask for money when caring for grandchildren whilst their parents go out to work. If they were being asked to mind whilst you went out for the odd day, then most would gladly fo it for nothing - but caring on a regular basis prevents THEM from doing what they want, so yes, they should receive what any childminder would ask for. I just can't understand why you don't work part-time & look after your children yourself. The amount you're paying out shows that you can afford to, so you could also afford to lose this by being with your children.

[baden-baden]

It's outrageous that grandparents charge. Even so, you shouldn't be paying anywhere near what you would pay a registered childminder (I suggest 50% max).

A contribution towards days out/food would be acceptable but an hourly rate seems a bit mercenary. I�m surprised at the old folk or have you just offered it without being asked?

Hope this helps

B-B

[tel b]

B-B really doesn't have a point.

Grandparents have had their family and should be free to enjoy their dotage. Having to look after grandchildren on a regular basis is an imposition and they should be recompensed.

Of course, if they cost the going rate for professional childminders, I'd expect them to have all the local authority checks that childminding businesses have to have ... and declare the income to the Revenue (removes tongue from cheek!)

[baden-baden]

Well, lets put it this way tel b � I won�t be charging to look after my own grandchildren. Anyway, I assume that it�s only for the summer holidays (August) so I wouldn�t say it was a regular basis. Come to think of it Tizzybudd, if you/your partner work full time wouldn�t you have a couple of weeks off in August anyway ( and you�ve already said it�s only for 3 days a week). I guess then that we�re only looking at approx 12 days a year � hardly an imposition. Anyway, if grandchild was mine, it�ll be gratis every time.

B-B

[ojread2]

�25 is quite a bit, but then I think �34 a day for a minder is expensive! That's more than some private nurseries charge. I think �20pd is reasonable <-- this is just my opinion

Only thing I have to add is if you are claiming the child care tax credit allowance. The IR will not pay for any care provided for by grandparents unless they are registered minders - that means registered with OFSTED. Even if registered with OFSTED grandparenst can only receive monies for one 'family' child they may care for

ojx

[gina32]

i look after my grandson and while his mam goes out to work, i wouldnt dream of charging my daughter, she knows i wouldnt ask for money and so treats me and hubby every now and again as a thank you,

[cazzz1975]

yes, most certainly, you have to remember related or not, you are putting upon them quite a lot, they have to change their plans to suit your babysitting needs. most people who have raised their children look forward to a certain freedom that they have not seen in many years, and whilst seeing their grandchildren is wonderful being an unpaid help is an insult.

an occasional babysit (maybe a couple of hours on a sunday) is acceptable for non pay but a regular 3 day week is a job, I actually think you are underpaying the grandmother and taking her for granted...I think its disgusting that you question whether she is "worth" the 25 quid, your 25 quid merely equates to �1.04pph

does she pay for your daughters treats and meals as well...???

[curiosity]

Well my Mam & Dad looked after our two young babies/toddler because they wanted to, and it gave them "something to do and kept them busy". But they would come to our house, so I didn't even have to wake the kids if they were sleeping, Although we tried to work out our shifts, sometimes they had to be there for 6.30 a.m. My mam would do a bit of washing, hang it out etc & generally what women do! We organised 3 mornings a week at nursery for them as toddlers. We insisted on a direct debit of �100 a month (�25 a week for 2 ) That was 15 years ago, but still very cheap, it made us feel better, and it helped towards their summer holiday. I tried not to ask them to babysit outside of this, and used the other grandparents for free.

[EngTeach]

While I see the point some people made that grandparents should do it for free, If paying them works for everyone there is no problem. My friend watched her niece an she chargeed what she used to pay her sitter before she was able to stay home. I think the payment wards off feelings of resentment too.

I used to mind my good friend's 2 daughters twice a week for the summer hols (10 weeks here) and did not take money. She would periodically buys me a gift certificate to my hair or nail salon, or if we were out she and hubby would pay for dinner. Unlike my sis who uses me as live in nanny, but I adore my niece and she is my little shadow too. Not a hardship at all. My sis never says Thanks, but tells my niece "Tell Auntie thank you."

[treborrobert]

well i am a granparent and i work nights and i look after my granson on my 2 days of a week ... i would never dream of taken my daughters money to look after my granson after all he is family i am no babysitter or mug i love my granson to bits and the pleasure is all mine ! and he is 6 years old . and he loves comen to mine. to make money of him is a terrable thought... whats the matter with you lot were is your family values !!!!!!!

[NiceCupOfTea]

taperface - I had to point out that although the amount we pay out shows we can afford to give up our jobs, they're the sort of jobs that you can't just give up and expect to take up again five years down the line when your kids are old enough to go to school.

We need to keep up our jobs as otherwise we'll be starting back at the bottom of a painful ladder that quite frankly was a pain in the neck to climb.

[claireben]

I have recently returned to work after 6 months maternity, following the birth of my twin boys. My mom previously worked from her home making curtains. She has now given that up and I pay her to look after my 7 month boys (and my 7year old daughter during the school hols) while I am at work. I think its perfectly reasonable to pay grandparents if they given up an income to look after your children as my mom had.

[Cypruslover]

Crikey... �34 per day! Im a childminder and wouldnt charge anything like that... it sounds steep to me.... as for paying grandparents for looking after their grandchildren.... I dont know of anyone who does, but it would be nice to offer them some payment towards meals, etc....