Is this a bit much for grandparents babysitting ?

[Colourconundrum]

Hi Mums - my in laws came over to babysit DS (1) at the weekend while me and DH went out for dinner to celebrate a friends bday. DS’s bedtime was before we’d even left the house but ILs came over early as they wanted to do his tea & bath. We were back by 1030.

DH paid for them to have a takeaway at our house, left out a £30 bottle of wine & has also just sent a bouquet of flowers as a thank you.

AIBU to think this is a bit OTT? I’m obviously super grateful that they looked after DS but what we’ve spent on ILs has exceeded how much our meal out was!! And a babysitter would have been way cheaper too. I’m also worried it sets an expensive precedent now and money is pretty tight for us.

Just to add my parents were also happy to babysit and I know they wouldn’t have accepted us paying for anything but MIL has been dying to look after DS so I don’t think it wasn’t a massive chore or inconvenience for her that we need to ‘compensate’ for.

It’s not a chore to babysit your grandchildren- I absolutely love having mine to myself for a while!
DIL does get me thoughtful gifts, but I certainly don’t expect them!

Quite often tho babysitting is basically sitting there while they are sleeping, not quality time. That kind of is a chore

Yes. I massively prefer to have my DGDs for sleepovers, than to babysit them in their own home while they sleep. At least that way I get quality time having them to myself in the late afternoon evening and next morning.
And I can spend their sleep time in my own home doing my own thing, until my own bedtime, and not have to drive home late at night.

A take away would have surficed to be honest.

That would explain why he felt he had to go OTT for yhem. Did he discuss the meal + wine + flowers with you beforehand?

Considering that I don't think I have EVER been given anything by either of my adult children for babysitting... I would be overjoyed with anything at all! But I think the most useful thing for me - if I wasn't looking after the child/ren at my own house - would be the takeaway.

I used to get absolutely starving when looking after my first grandchild at their house. There was always something specifically left for them but nothing for me. I think the implication was that I would just help myself to something but there was never much to help myself to and I didn't like to without it actually being offered anyway.

So yes - I think it is a bit much. I'm fact I think it is much too much.