A young mother’s plea for childcare help from her retired mom has sparked a fiery debate online. The 29-year-old, preparing to return to work after maternity leave, assumed her 64-year-old mother—a homemaker since 1992—would happily babysit her newborn. But the request didn’t go as planned.
“I thought she’d be thrilled to spend time with her grandchild,” the new mom shared on Reddit. Instead, her mother laid out strict terms: $20 an hour, late pickup fees, and a demand for a car seat and stroller—since she refused to watch the baby at her daughter’s apartment.
Financially strapped with $59k in combined debt and a modest household income, the young mom was stunned. “I can’t afford that,” she admitted. “Daycare might actually be cheaper.”
The online reaction was divided. Some called the grandmother selfish: “She’s retired—what else does she have to do?” Others defended her, arguing that raising a child is work, whether it’s your grandkid or not. One user noted, “Just because she’s family doesn’t mean her time isn’t valuable.”
The situation highlights a growing tension: Should grandparents provide free childcare, or is it fair to ask for compensation? For this family, the answer isn’t simple—but it’s forcing a tough conversation about expectations, finances, and what “family support” really means.
