Money Moral Dilemma: Should my mum help with our childcare costs while she's on holiday?

MSE_Kelvin

This week's MoneySaver who wants advice asks...

My mum picks my son up from school three days a week, as his dad and I work full-time. On the other two days, we pay for him to go to an after-school club. My mum has just booked a two-week holiday in June, which means we'll have to pay for an extra six days at the after-school club while she's away. Should we ask her for a contribution towards the cost? Or should we just be grateful that she picks him up at all, and not say anything?

Unfortunately the MSE team can't answer Money Moral Dilemma questions as contributions are emailed in or suggested in person. They are intended to be a point of debate and discussed at face value. Remember that behind each dilemma there is a real person so, as the forum rules say, please keep it kind and keep it clean.

If you haven’t already, join the forum to reply.
Got a Money Moral Dilemma of your own? Suggest an MMD.
View past Money Moral Dilemmas.

New_in_the_fens

Does your mum get the money you would have paid for after school club, to thank her for picking up your child and saving you all that money?

No, they are saving you money by doing the pickup. 

Flugelhorn

Good grief NO!

You should be very grateful she helps out - if someone took me for granted like that / asked for money it would the last time I helped out with the pick ups from school

BikingBud

Interesting that you feel there is a dilemma here.

Send your mum on holiday, if she looks after your kids 3 of 5 days I would suggest the only dilemma is why you aren't paying for her holiday.

Seasalt3

Unbelievable that you should even think that. You should be grateful your mum helps you with free childcare. You should be giving her some holiday spending money as a treat 

MattMattMattUK

MSE_Kelvin said:

This week's MoneySaver who wants advice asks...

My mum picks my son up from school three days a week, as his dad and I work full-time. On the other two days, we pay for him to go to an after-school club. My mum has just booked a two-week holiday in June, which means we'll have to pay for an extra six days at the after-school club while she's away. Should we ask her for a contribution towards the cost? Or should we just be grateful that she picks him up at all, and not say anything?

Unfortunately the MSE team can't answer Money Moral Dilemma questions as contributions are emailed in or suggested in person. They are intended to be a point of debate and discussed at face value. Remember that behind each dilemma there is a real person so, as the forum rules say, please keep it kind and keep it clean.

If you haven’t already, join the forum to reply.
Got a Money Moral Dilemma of your own? Suggest an MMD.
View past Money Moral Dilemmas.

If this is actually from a real person then they need a serious reality check. 

The OP's mother saves them a fortune and makes their life easier, to expect them to no directly contribute financially because the mother has a holiday is utterly insane. 

sammyjammy

I have no words, the entitlement of some people, towards well meaning family as well, I really hope this question was made up.

olly300

When someone looks after my daughter for an hour for free I'm very grateful. 

So yes you should be contributing to your mum's holiday. I hope you ALL at least get her a decent mother's day gift. 

Rd1994

Wow I can’t believe you would even consider asking. Are you mad?! Your mum is massively helping you out but picking your child up. She is entitled to go on holiday. Do you pay her? If so then don’t pay her while she’s on holiday. But I doubt you do pay her. Wow can’t believe you would consider asking her to pay. Jesus 

Allandsundry247

Like all the other people who have answered, I am surprised you could even think of asking for a contribution. I suspect you don't pay your mum or contribute to the costs she must incur looking after your children, she's doing you a favour and saving you money every week. I suggest you take annual leave between you and your husband over the 2 weeks to care for your own children if you can't afford the after school club.

kathill55

this has to be rage-bait