To charge my MIL for childcare since she’s stopped helping halfway through the summer holidays?

[CookyPsych]

Bit of a WWYD/AIBU combo here really. MIL offered to do 3 days a week childcare over the summer hols to help us out as I’ve gone back to work FT. All smiles and “of course I’ll help” back in June. Great. We sorted everything round that.

Fast forward 2 wks in and she’s suddenly “too tired” (she’s 62 and quite fit tbh) and now only wants to do one day. No discussion, just dropped it on us Monday morning. DH is useless and doesn’t want to “rock the boat” 🙄

Cue me panicking and having to scrabble round for emergency nursery cover and begging favours off other mums. It’s cost us £300 already and that’ll keep rising. We wouldn’t have booked her in if MIL had stuck to what she agreed. Feel like we’re being taken for mugs.

WIBU to ask MIL to contribute to the cost? I’m not expecting full whack but surely if she pulled out of what she offered halfway through, she should at least chip in?

DH thinks I’m being harsh but I’m just knackered and stressed and feel like she’s left us in the lurch. Honest opinions pls before I actually say anything to her.

I really hope this is a bored kid trolling. No one can be this entitled and spoilt surely? But just on the off chance - your kids, your responsibility, your expense.

<Feel like we’re being taken for mugs.>>

I disagree. The 62 year old tired woman being asked for free childcare for 3 days is the only mug here. She should have given a bit of notice, though - to not leave you so stressed out looking for alternatives. 1 day a week is loads for any grandparent to be looking after small kids IMHO.

you do nothing and DH scrabbles round.

And cut MIL some slack, she probably underestimated how knackering it would be. Wait until you're 62 then come back and tell us you could do it.

Tempting. Your husband should saving this. Has he spoke to his mother about her behaviour?

She’s busy typing her invoices up!

What did it say in her contract? Was there an early withdrawal of service clause?
Come on now, be serious 🙄

Its your (and/or your DH) job to look after your kids... nobody else's.

Help is nice but you are not owed it, I can't imagine the thought process of even thinking you can CHARGE your MIL because she said no to babysitting.

YABVU. She’s saved you money with any childcare she’s provided so far. Why should she pay anything for YOUR child?

Wise up!
You’re one of these ones that see what people don’t do, not the things they did do!
Edited to say: if you asked me I’d say no, and start looking for full child care I’m not doing any! Which I hope she does.

can’t actually believe you think this is ok

Your DH should sort it. Why's his job anymore important than yours.

No. It’s not ok to ask OP.
It’s annoying.
Don’t rely on her in future.

Well, aren't you just an entitled madam.

Please tell me you're not actually planning to ask her for money?
it sounds like she's underestimated how tiring it would be, annoying for you but also understandable.
I do hope that you and DH are able to sort something out though.* *

Also, it’s not 1/2 way through the summer holidays. They haven’t broken up yet.

MIL offered to do 3 days a week childcare… All smiles and “of course I’ll help” back in June.
Did she offer, or did you ask?

Blimey OP. We are entitled aren’t we? You knew how much childcare was before you chose to have kids (I hope!) so just get on with it. Your DC are the responsibility of you and your DH alone. Your MIL is incredibly kind to offer to help at all so I’d keep her happy if I were you! Dear me, the state of people these days.

Yet another thread where the op says something outrageous to start a debate, then promptly disappears.

Yawn. It's getting really old.

Agreed. When my kids are with my mother then I give minimal instruction and have very basic expectations because it's family time or\ and a favour.

There are loads of holidays camps around
Just book one and shut up.

Lol is this a joke. You sound like a chancer.
No you 100% can't. She's not a professional.

Your kids, your problem but why is your husband not scrambling around? What would you have done if she wasn’t doing it? Its really not her responsibility to pay for your children infact bit of a cheek thinking someone else should pay for your children care - didn’t you realise they need looking after before you had them ?

This thread is a wind up. I can't believe it's true. We've all been sucked in because childcare and summer hols = juicy stress for women. Throw in a MiL for a bit extra fuel

100 this !!!!!!!!!
Pay in the same way others (without local family support) do !

I had my 2 nieces , aged 1 and 3, for 4 days (between 9 and 3 one of them was at nursery) . I am mid 40s and I was knackered ! I am fit (marathon runner , gym everyday etc)

Yet another parent who thinks it's everybody else's job to raise their child

honestly I despair

My suspicion too. I wonder if OP would have posted (if this is real) if it was her own mother changing her mind. I doubt it!