Hiring babysitter for grandparents' home?

[Anonymous]

Take your kid with you to visit friends.

[Anonymous]

I have tried to hire sitters with both my parents and in laws, not because I don't trust them with the kids, but because little kids are exhausting.

*I* need sitters for breaks and I'm young and energetic.

Both sets of grandparents have declined sitters and I realize it's a matter of pride for them. My mom found us one once but she turned out to be the 10 year old next door. So my DH had to stay home to watch the kids and the "sitter" and then the sitter's mom came over to check to see how it was going. It was hilarious but I learned my lesson.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have tried to hire sitters with both my parents and in laws, not because I don't trust them with the kids, but because little kids are exhausting.

*I* need sitters for breaks and I'm young and energetic.

Both sets of grandparents have declined sitters and I realize it's a matter of pride for them. My mom found us one once but she turned out to be the 10 year old next door. So my DH had to stay home to watch the kids and the "sitter" and then the sitter's mom came over to check to see how it was going. It was hilarious but I learned my lesson.

This is OP. That's hilarious! I think my ILs would be offended if we wanted a sitter while visiting them, but my dad wouldn't care (he's an inattentive grand/father) and I doubt my mom would because in her world (many of her friends are wealthy), lots of "help" (servants, live in nannies) is the norm and if anything, something to brag about.

[Anonymous]

Maybe suggest a mother's helper-type person, rather than a babysitter. Someone who can help get meals, clean up, maybe run a load of laundry, watch the kid while your mom does other things around the house, etc. You're not leaving your kid with a stranger, and you're lifting the burden on your mom.

[Anonymous]

My BIL and SIL do this all the time. My MIL actually prefers it this way.