When you become a parent, a little help goes a long way. Juggling a baby, a career, and maintaining a balanced life in your 20s or 30s can be quite challenging. Luckily, many parents can rely on their own parents to lend a hand, especially when it comes to taking care of the new bundle of joy. But what happens when they ask for compensation?

Let me share with you a story that recently unfolded in my family. My husband and I have been happily married for ten years, and we were overjoyed when we welcomed our beautiful six-month-old baby into our lives. Both of us work full-time, with my husband working from home and me commuting to the office.

With my mother-in-law retiring recently, she kindly offered to look after our precious little one while we are at work. We gladly accepted her offer, knowing that she has a natural gift when it comes to children. Not only does she take care of our baby, but she also helps with cooking, cleaning, and even does the dishes. It felt like a win-win situation.

However, a conversation with my mother-in-law yesterday left me speechless. She expressed her desire for us to compensate her for the time she spends with our adorable baby, Katie. I was taken aback. We had never talked about payment before, and I never expected this to become an issue.

I understand that everyone has their own financial responsibilities, and I deeply appreciate all the help my mother-in-law has provided us thus far. But the thought of paying her for being a grandparent and enjoying time with her grandchild feels uncomfortable to me. Our arrangement has always been about family support and strengthening our bond.

Nevertheless, I can’t ignore the fact that she is dedicating her time and effort to care for our child. We need to find a way to address this situation without causing any strain in our relationship. After all, family is incredibly important to all of us.

If you’ve been in a similar situation or have any advice to share, I would greatly appreciate hearing from you. Parenthood is a beautiful journey, but it’s not without its challenges. Let’s support one another and navigate this together.

• Yours sincerely,
  A perplexed parent