[Becky Thatcher]

I did this when my kids were young. I used a combination of formal day care and my mum plus one other relative at times when I worked. I payed them the going rate for daycare at the time. I just thought it was a business transaction.

Friend said she had never heard of anyone doing that.

Have you or anyone you know done it?

[Bomber girl]

My friends mum would only babysit if she was being paid for it

[MelbChick]

I did this when my kids were young. I used a combination of formal day care and my mum plus one other relative at times when I worked. I payed them the going rate for daycare at the time. I just thought it was a business transaction.

Friend said she had never heard of anyone doing that.

Have you or anyone you know done it?

No, but it had been suggested to me by someone (as we're not eligible for the rebate on daycare and are still on the waiting list)... I thought it sounded like a good idea. Whatever works for you and your family, OP. Did you have any specific concerns about it?

[Jenflea]

Most people I know seem to think grandparents are free childcare with no lives of their own. Yes, I'm talking about 2 people in particular!
If I was expecting my parents to look after my child on a weekly or daily basis I'd offer money. They might not accept it though!

[Libster]

My SIL will be paying her Mum to look after her daughter when she goes back to work.

[Gudrun]

I've never heard of it but I am interested in the debate about whether the government should give grandparent child-carers some sort of payment.

[Sunnycat]

I offered to pay my mum but she won't accept money. In fact she was quite horrified that I suggested it. I said i would just transfer money into her account and she said if I did pay her she'd end up putting the money in DS's bank account.

My friend pays her MIL $50 pw but not her mother.

My parents have said they enjoy looking after DS and see it as spending time with him so don't want payment, they also don't need the money and want me to save. My parents would never in a million years accept money for looking after DS, but they are funny with money anyway.

ETA: my parents have DS 2 days a week. Dad actually takes both days off work to spend quality time with DS. He has said that he was never around for my brother and I and he sees this as a second chance and doesn't want to miss out on DS's childhood.

Mum said she does it to help me out and it's in no way a chore for them to look after DS. They said they see it as me doing them a favourite.

I was going to put DS into daycare one day a week next year but mum won't let me because she doesn't want to give up her days with DS.

This post has been edited by Sunnycat: 06/12/2012, 08:30 PM

[lozoodle]

My mum babysits a few days a week for me, but she wont let me pay! She wanted to do it, I never actually asked, and she is no longer working so i am not sure if that makes a difference.

But anyway seeing as she doesnt take money, i try and do lots for her. when she goes away i go and look after the house and her cats for her, if im out shopping i will grab things that i see are useful for her that she may need (particularly stuff for use with the kids) and give them to her, i make sure i buy her an extra special birthday or christmas present, and little bits here and there.

its hard because i am so grateful as she is an amazing help to me and my kids have such a wonderful relationship with her as a result, but i do feel bad like i am burdening her.

[Becky Thatcher]

No, but it had been suggested to me by someone (as we're not eligible for the rebate on daycare and are still on the waiting list)... I thought it sounded like a good idea. Whatever works for you and your family, OP. Did you have any specific concerns about it?

I am quite a practical person and I never wanted to have something hanging over my head in the future. It was a choice I gave mum, if she didn't want to do it, I was happy with the daycare, but she was happy to do it. She got a bit of pocket money and I am sure the kids loved it.

Of course I didn't pay if we went out etc, just for work.

[BetteBoop]

My friends mum would only babysit if she was being paid for it

This is my MIL. We used to pay her $120 per day to look after DD. She still had the nerve to use our phone to make long distance calls and save her laundry up to do at our house.

I would prefer to pay a total stranger with some qualification in child care. A disinterested relative whose affections can be bought isn't in anyone's best interest.