A Reddit user, who happens to be a mother, was met with criticism when she asked her 64-year-old mother to babysit for free. The poster had hoped to receive free childcare from her retired mother once she returned to work. However, the grandmother declined the offer and instead asked for $20 an hour, plus late fees and free baby equipment.

Many members of the Reddit community felt that the mother was being entitled and that the topic of grandparents providing full-time childcare, and whether or not they should be compensated for their time, was brought into question.

The mother had asked her retired mother to babysit her newborn so she could return to work after maternity leave. However, the grandmother refused, citing her age and the fact that she had already raised her own children. The grandmother also suggested that the mother should have thought about staying home with the baby herself.

The mother goes on, adding on that the grandmother implied "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.”

The mother in the Reddit post explained that she and her partner could not live on one income, given their debt and student loans. They also live in a small one-bedroom apartment and are trying to save for a larger one they will need when the baby gets older.

When the mother explained all of this to her mother, the grandmother offered to babysit the baby, but only for $20 per hour, plus late fees if they are late to pick up the baby. The grandmother also asked the mother to provide all of the necessary baby equipment, as she refused to watch the baby at the mother's home.

The mother asked the Reddit community, "Am I the a**hole for wanting my mom, who is at home all day (trust me, she does not do anything besides watch TV and cook meals), to take care of my baby for free while I and my partner try to fix our finances?"

The Reddit community largely sided with the grandmother, calling the mother "horribly entitled."

One user comments, "The mother has raised her children. To expect(!) that she watches the baby just because she has time. And for free. As if she has nothing better to do. This entitlement. If you plan to get a child, you plan for childcare. But you don’t plan on other people without asking”.

Another is much blunter, stating "YTA: 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 of discussed that during the pregnancy with your mom."

What would be your proposed solution to this issue? Is the mother in the wrong, or is the grandmother far too strict? Let us know in the comments on Facebook.

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