A young mom has spoken of her concern after her own mom refused to babysit her grandchild unless she pays her $20 an hour for doing so.
Taking to Reddit's infamous 'Am I The A**hole' thread, the 29-year-old outlined the details of her circumstances, stating that despite her financial issues, her own mom refuses to help out without a fee.
"I... asked my mom to help me take care of my newborn so I could go back to work once my leave is up," the post starts.
"Mind you, my mom is 64, has been a homemaker/stay-at-home-mom since 1992, and hasn't been part of the workforce since then."
She goes on to explain how her mom refused her request, stating that "she's too old and that she already raised her kids."
"She also added that if I really wanted this baby, then maybe I should have thought about staying home like she did to take care of it while my partner goes to work and provides for us like a 'traditional' family, and that if she and my dad were able to work it out, so can we."
The 29-year-old then went into the finer details, stating that she and her husband had debts to pay off, as well as an entire household to run. Not only that, but the couple were planning to buy a bigger home because their one bedroom apartment is not going to provide enough space as their newborn gets older.
Due to her being the main breadwinner of the family, it was essential that she went back to work again.
"I want to save money to bring down our debt, and don't want to pay her as much nor invest as much in double of everything as it will spiral into more debt for me and my partner," she continued. "I'm on the fence about enrolling my baby into an infant daycare instead as the cost will overall be lower and a little closer to our home."
She then states that the pair are "desperate" for childcare and no one else besides her mom can help out.
"So, am I the a**hole for wanting my mom, who again is at home all day long (trust me, she does not do anything besides watch TV and cook meals), to take care of my baby for free while me and my partner try to fix our finances?"
Comments poured in, and it seems as though Reddit users were divided over the issue.
On one hand, some people stated that the 29-year-old and her partner should take care of the baby themselves as it's their responsibility.
"Sorry to be blunt and rude but maybe don't have a child if you can't afford to take care of them. And if your plan was always go back to work you should [have] discussed that during the pregnancy with your mom," this Reddit user wrote under the post.
Another also agreed with the stance, writing: "The mom is 64. She watches tv and cooks...because she's retired!!!!! Childcare is a very demanding job."
However, others were more empathetic to the situation, with one user offering some advice: "The best thing you can do is start building your childcare system. Look at nurseries. Make some mom friends in the same boat as you and swap babysitting. Go, OK, mom isn't interested, that sucks, what are some other options?"
Another added: "You're not the AH for asking, she is not one for refusing. She is not one for asking for payment," later going on to advise the young mom to "chill with the attitude" before she does become the a**hole.
What do you think?
