'They don't owe you': Internet backs grandmom who denies son's 'exhausting' request despite him paying rent
Babysitting is undoubtedly a difficult job, and doing it six times a week might make things a bit crazier. A similar reason was given by a mother who apparently left her son disappointed by refusing to babysit his child during the weekdays. The disgruntled son explained the situation in a post on the 'AITA' subreddit, where he stated that he had bought his parent’s house from them a few years ago.
"Me, my wife, and my 3-month-old live downstairs, parents live upstairs. I don't charge them any rent, we just split the bills for the utilities." The man wrote in the post. He explained that his wife had been out of work for three months and was supposed to quit her job in December, but her bosses had told her that they were willing to extend her contract with better benefits and a higher salary. “Her employer just let her know that they are willing to extend her contract for 6 more months starting in January, and the extra salary and benefits would help a lot. It would be a Monday through Friday schedule,” the user wrote, according to Someecards.
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'I was pretty taken aback when she said that she can't do it'
The working schedule for his wife reportedly brought up the necessity of hiring a babysitter but he found a simple solution and requested his mother to take on the responsibility. He asked his mother if she would babysit the youngster for six months, explaining that the six months of money and benefits would be beneficial to everyone. But his mother refused to take the role. “I was pretty taken aback when she said that she can't do it,” the user wrote. “She said that she'd be able to do 3 days maximum, and she is worried that she will be too tired and have no life for herself if she watches the baby full time. I do completely understand that it's a lot of work and commitment."
“At the same time, we are paying the mortgage to keep the roof over our heads, and not charging any kind of rent either. My parents don't have a lot of money either, they get their social security and pensions, but the pensions are not much at all," the man further added. He claimed that he never attempted to make his mother feel uncomfortable with this reality, but was taken aback when she declined the request.
Preempting queries about his father's involvement, he says his father is "not the most helpful guy in the world." “This is why I understand that it's a lot of work for one person, but at the same time my wife and I are keeping a roof over the family's head,” he writes. The user concluded the post questioning “I'm just disappointed, but was wondering if my request is too much?”
'Your agreement didn't hinge upon daycare'
Since the post has garnered immense social media attention, with users slamming the son for his disappointment. One user said, "If you can't take care of your own children then stop having them. Babies and small kids need to be with their moms (or dad's). Passing them off to others to raise is horrible for the child. This is a huge problem in our society that no one talks about!!!!" Another added, "You’re feeling mad that your retired mother won’t take on a full time job for you? You guys chose to have a baby, that’s makes you responsible for childcare. Your mother raised her baby(ies). She is not responsible for providing free childcare for you just because you chose not to charge her rent after she discounted the sale of her house for you. Grow up."
One user said, “This is a tough one. I can understand your being disappointed. However, it sounds like grandma is healthy, but being up there in age knows taking care of a baby would exhaust her. I had a similar situation with my daughter. She was upset that I wouldn't take my son and her son, two very energetic 5-year olds together to the beach. I said I can't because I would not be able to get to both of them in time if they got into trouble in the water. Mind you I was in my mid 40s, but overweight. They move like lightning and listen to no one. So, if mom is saying I can't, not that she won't, she knows what she can and can't do. If she offered you 3 days, accept it graciously and find coverage for the other two days. However, money is off the table. You are already covering their costs for living there." Another user said, "YTA, the agreement was a discounted rate in exchange for living there rent free. So adding childcare is extra and you should at least offer to pay a little bit. But her agreeing to 3 days a week sounds like a good compromise!" While one more user said, "YTA your agreement didn't hinge upon daycare. Occasional babysitting is one thing, daycare is another. How old are the parents I wonder? It sounds like at least over 65. Babies are exhausting. One weekend is enough to exhaust a grandparent never mind a full time schedule. You can feel disappointed, but don't tell your parents that you are because they don't owe you."
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