Becoming a parent often requires help, especially when you’re juggling career and family in your 20s or 30s. Many of us turn to our parents for support, with grandparents often stepping in to babysit.

In our case, my mother-in-law recently retired and offered to care for our six-month-old while my husband and I work. She’s been amazing, helping with not just babysitting but also cooking, cleaning, and dishes.

However, things took a turn when she asked us to pay her for babysitting. I was shocked—growing up, my grandma and I always took care of each other without expecting anything in return. It’s hard to grasp why she’d put a price on spending time with her grandchild.

This has created tension between my husband and me. He believes she should be compensated since hiring someone else would be more expensive. I’m feeling frustrated and overwhelmed, and I’m not sure what to do.