When a new mom asked her retired mother to watch her baby, she never expected to be handed a bill. But in today’s economy, even grandma has a price.
The 29-year-old, drowning in student loans and credit card debt, hoped her mom would step in as free childcare so she could return to work. Instead, the 64-year-old—who spent decades raising her own kids—said she was done with unpaid labor. Her rate? $20/hour, plus expenses.
“I was shocked,” the daughter confessed online. “She said I should’ve thought about staying home if I wanted a baby.”
The Reddit thread exploded with opinions. Some accused the grandmother of being cold-hearted: “Family helps family—that’s what grandparents do!” Others argued she had a point: “She raised her kids. Why should she work for free now?”
The young mom crunched the numbers. Between late fees, a car seat, and gas money, hiring grandma cost more than daycare. It’s a modern dilemma: With wages stagnant and childcare costs soaring, is it fair to expect retired parents to fill the gap?
