Question:

Do you think grandparents should babysit without complaint?

by  |  earlier

0 LIKES UnLike

Should they feel lucky they are spending time with the child?

 Tags:

   Report
Answer The Question I've Same Question Too

31 ANSWERS

Sort By: Date  |  Rating

  1. That's entirely up to them.  Most grandparents are happy to have their grandchildren for a while, even overnight or over holidays.  But not all grandparents are fit for it.  Some may be elderly or have infirmities or others may still be in full time employment and have enough to do at weekends catching up with gardening, shopping, housework etc.

    They've raised their family, it's up to them what they do with their spare time.  Most are happy to babysit but it should be on their terms.  Nobody should take grandparents for granted.


  2. Nice spin there, but no... If grandparents WANT to babysit, fine, but to somehow think it is an obligation or privilege... sounds pretty shallow.

  3. Well it all depends on what the complaint is about! Secondly, it's not to say that they should feel "lucky" per say; happy or pleased, maybe!! Third, you shouldn't expect that grand parents just want to sit @ home with grand kids all day...I mean, sometimes some grand kids are too much for their grand parents to handle, therefore causing such a situation to occur! So, just be sure to know the reason that the grand parent is complaining and get to the bottom of it! :))

  4. I would take the view that Grand-Parents should raise the children and allow the parents to enjoy their lives.

    Why? .... well look at it logically, as one gets older and gains experience and knowledge, one is more able to understand the needs and desires of others.

    Youth is most definitely wasted on the young!

  5. no, grandparents of today are used as free childminders while their children continue to live a single lifestyle. when i get to that stage my kids can go and whistle if they think they can swan off to work, holidays, and clubs while i look after their kids.

  6. Grandparents raised their children...they shouldn't be expected to raise yours.  

    A grandparent willing to babysit is a wonderful gift but they have no obligation to. They have a right to enjoy their life including enjoying spending time with their grandchildren, but on their terms, not as part of an obligation.  

    If you decide to have children then the care of those children is your responsibility not your parents. If they are unable or unwilling to help out then make other arrangements.  If you ask the grandparents to babysit and they say no, they don't owe you an explanation either.  They don't have to justify their schedule to you.  

  7. I do think my mother could offer more to babysit my children without moaning..

    I don't ask that often....

  8. No. They spent the best years of their lives taking care of YOU!  Most grandparents want to see their grandkids often, but that doesn't mean you should take advantage of them. Taking care of even one's own grandchildren can be very stressful for old folks.  Treat them with respect.

  9. No, especially when their kids keep dumping the grandkids on them, and not even treating them to so much as a bunch of flowers.

    They raised their own kids for long enough, they need a rest in their old age!!

    -xox

  10. NO!  They have their own life to live.  You should be raising your own brats.  But, once again in society, no one wants to take responsiblity for their own actions. Find another babysitter for a fee.  Grandparents should not be used as "free nanny labor".

  11. I feel that grandparents should be loving and supportive and adore their grandchildren. Spend time with them, Yes.............Raise them NO. Been there, done that.

  12. another way of asking this is should children be expected to look after a sick parent without complaint instead of putting them into a home ?

    the way we work in our family is we all  look out for each other without moaning and complaining about having to do things for each other.

  13. Please keep in mind that we are people too and although we love our grandkids we are old and need our space. Don't take your parents for granted and be grateful that they are there...in otherwords you should feel lucky that you have them. Respect your elders.

  14. I would think that they would or should babysit without complaining. But even my parents never babysat without it seeming like they were being imposed upon. And they never volunteered to babysit. I truly do not understand. But that's how they are. I still think its very sad but there is nothing I can do. Oh well you cant pick your parents.

  15. I tell you what, ask this question again when YOU'RE a grandparent!!!

    I've raised 3 children of my own, and think I've earned the right to relax a little.

    No-one looked after my children when they were little.

    My mother-in-law sat me down the day I came out of hospital with my first-born, and told me she was NOT the baby's mother, and she wouldn't be a constant baby-sitter, although she would do the odd session. I felt very miffed at her comments, but I now understand her reasons.

    I have 8 grandchildren, who I love dearly, but I refuse to give up my life to looking after them.

    If you choose to become a parent, then it's YOUR responsibility to look after them. I'm their grandmother, not the built in babysitter. I'm not being mean, or spiteful, I work hard for the luxuries I didn't have when my kids were growing up, and I like to come home and relax. I do, however, babysit sometimes, but as I've grown older,I havn't got the stamina to run around after little kid's, and my own kid's realise this, and don't ask constantly.

  16. grandparents often add wonderful experiences to their grandchild's life..but should be allowed to express their feelings..

  17. I suppose if it depends on whether they're being asked to babysit all the time at a drop of a hat or just every now and then. My mum loves having my kids over, she dotes on them, but she lives an hour and a half away so it's not a regular occurrence. My friend's mum actually charges her to babysit her kids.

  18. I think so!!!

    I can't wait to have grandchildren so I can spoil them rotten!!!!

  19. Do you mean be at the the beck and call of their kids so they can go gallivanting.  Then no.

    But if you mean help out when it suits all parties then yes. I would say most grandparents are happy to do that.  I am!!!!

  20. No and yes.

    If my grandchildren were being constantly left in my care regardless of my feelings I would complain.

    And yes I would enjoy the time that I had "chosen" to to spend with them.

  21. NO Sweetheart, as a mother, I already paid my dues.  I raised my children *on my own* to the point that I quit my professional life to take care of them.  If I haven't died from it, no one will.  I will babysit my grandchildren, *if I want*, and/or, *if I can*, and I cannot care less about what anyone says...........  

  22. No the parents are responsible for their own kids. Grandparents babysit as, when and if they feel like it.

  23. Yes, if they get paid. There is nothing for free anymore in this society. They should be lucky they finally have an empty nest!

  24. No. This may come as a shock to some parents, but not everyone views your child as the great joy you seem to think it is.  

  25. YES! Valuble bomding time, and you can trust your parents more to look after your children.  

  26. Well They should not feel " lucky" but happy because they are spending time  with there Grandchildren.

    Therefore i don't think they should complain.

  27. I would love to have grandchildren to babysit but I do not think parents should take grandparents for granted. They should show them how much they appreciate them being involved to such an extent with the children.

    My mother hardly ever babysat for me when my 2 were little, she had no interest in doing so and had her own life to lead. She did however love them very much and is always their for them when she is needed.

  28. I have 10 grandkids..All the kids knew not to think they could just use us as a baby sitting service..

    Your kids, you raise them..

    And we see them all regularly too...So it worked..

  29. Nope. They raised their kids. Get your own babysitting and pay for it.  Having a grandparent babysit is a privilege.

  30. They should be able to spend time with the child without having to feel obligated to babysit for you. i am a mother of 4 and my children are far too much hard work for my parents to deal with together!

  31. No. If you don't raise your own kids, your kids are going to hate you in the future.
You're reading: Do you think grandparents should babysit without complaint?

Question Stats

Latest activity: earlier.
This question has 31 answers.

BECOME A GUIDE

Share your knowledge and help people by answering questions.
Register Now