Grandparents & babysitting

I wasn't sure what to entitle this post as it's about several things.

When I had Elle I intended to be a fulltime stay at home Mummy. However, my 12mths maternity leave is about to come to an end (that means Elle is almost 1!!!) and my work would like me to take back my old job on a part-time, primarily work from home basis. It is absolutely do-able with about 16 hours of work per week. They would like me to do 8 per week from the office (can be in 2 4 hour blocks if I prefer) and the rest can be done from home. I'd have access to the computer network and could do the rest of the work whenever. Elle sleeps a heap at the moment so I'd do it when she was asleep.

I would really like to do this as I think it'd be healthy for me to have a focus outside of Elle. She would go with her grandparents for 4 hours, twice a week. I think she would love it as she loves variety and new experiences.

However, I have 2 reservations. Firstly, is it ok to ask the grandparents to look after Elle? I feel rude, like I'm loading her off on them. Or, are they likely to absolutely love the time with her? They say they are happy with it and usually leap at the chance to spend time with her.

And, number 2, would Elle be missing out on anything if she was away from me for those 2 4 hour blocks each week? Or would it actually be really good for her?

Naturally the $$ would be great as we've been living beyond our means for a couple of months and need to reign things in. However, we can manage without the extra income if we need to so $$ isn't really a consideration. I just want to do the right thing for all of us. If I do work, it'd just be until I have another baby at which point I'll fully resign and stay home 100%.

I'd say go for it!!! Not that I have any experience in this matter but it sounds like a perfect win-win-win set up. I am sure Elle will be great with her grandparents and if they are anything like our parents they would be chomping at the bit to have her.

Have a talk to Toni (twoblondies) her mum looks after Caitlin while she is a work and see what her set up is.

If you are lucky enough to have grandparents to look after her during the day take it. Both sets of Andrew's and Josh's grandparents still both work fulltime, and my parents are about to run away overseas.

Yeah go for it! I'm in almost exactly the same situation as I returned to work after a years maternity leave just last week. I'm also working part time for 4 hours a day (was previously full time), and my mum is looking after Alyssa for that time 10am to 2pm and they both love it! She doesn't even miss me!

Plus, I'm finding that 4 hours goes so quickly it's not having too much of an effect on me trying to get back into it. The best part is it's payday this week YAY!

I have mentioned it and they seem keen. I know only they can decide if they want to or not but I just wanted to see if others would be happy to ask their parents if their parents were in a position to help.

I am going thru the exact same thing at the moment. Ive just got a great new job but its bitter sweet as I have to get a caregiver for my son as his Nana is still working fulltime. I guess in my situation tho I dont have a choice, I have just got to go back to work to support my family.

I say go for it and ask, I would love my Mum to be able to have Alize while I went to work. Pepsi and Toni I am sooo jealous!!

My MIL doesn't work (well, she does do some voluntary telephone pregnancy counselling work from home) and my FIL is semi-retired and is now just a consultant for his law firm so both are available during the week.

I know they will be happy too but just wanted to ensure I wouldn't be taking advantage of their generousity. I'm just majorly paranoid about ensuring I don't upset / offend / burden anyone.

When Micheal was 10 months old I took a supervisors job at Toy world on Friday nights and weekends. My mother looked after him and I worked there for two years, She loved it, and he has an extra special bond with her even now.

2 four hour days with them is not a lot and she will probably feel you have only just left and then are back again.

If it works for you I say go for it.

From my experience grandparents will only say yes to something if they really want to do it.

Go for it, most gparents like to do that and bond with their grandchildren, and it sounds like your parents are in the ideal situation. If you're having reservations, go ahead and tell your parents and work that it's on a 3 month trial period, then review your options then. Daycare? Quit? Not working for Elle? etc. It sounds like a very ideal job for your situation too.

The bond thing bothers my Mum as she thinks that if Elle goes to DHs parents once or twice a week, she will prefer them. I think she is a bit jealous :( but she works so isn't in a position to help during the week.