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Parents Question In-Laws’ Babysitting Offer After Discovering The Sneaky Expiry Clause
Gifts are lovely—everyone loves them. But whether it’s a perfume with a scent you absolutely detest or a sweater two sizes too small, have you ever received one that makes you scratch your head in confusion? And what happens when the gift even feels more like an obligation?
Today’s Original Poster (OP) was in a similar position when she received an awkward present from her in-laws: a printed voucher that entitled her to overnight babysitting for her 9-month-old daughter. The problem was that it came with an expiration date.
More info: Mumsnet
RELATED:
Well-meaning gifts can sometimes rub off the wrong way on the receiver, and that’s exactly what happened in this story
Image credits: William Fortunato / Pexels (not the actual photo)
The author’s in-laws gifted a voucher that entitled her to one night of them babysitting her child, but it came with an expiration date
Image credits: huggiespure
Image credits: Denisova Irina / Pexels (not the actual photo)
She didn’t think it was necessary, especially since she had never asked for a break, and the expiration date didn’t sit well with her either
Image credits: huggiespure
Image credits: cottonbro studio / Pexels (not the actual photo)
Her husband shared the same sentiments as her and wasn’t willing to let his parents have their child for one night
Image credits: huggiespure
Now the author wonders if she’s being unreasonable for not wanting to allow her in-laws to babysit for one night
For Christmas, the OP and her husband received a cash gift alongside a printed voucher from her in-laws for overnight babysitting. This voucher came with an added expiration date.
While this may have just been a kind gesture from her in-laws, she and her husband didn’t see it that way. If anything, the thought of leaving her child overnight with her grandparents when she was barely a year old made the OP uncomfortable.
She also believed that the gift was more about fulfilling the grandparents’ desire to spend time with their granddaughter on their terms; therefore, she questioned the motive behind gifting the voucher.
Her discomfort was even more amplified by the expiration date, which felt like an attempt to pressure them into complying. The OP also added that it would have been great if she and her husband had ever complained about needing a break, but she and her husband didn’t feel overwhelmed or in need of a break.
For them, caring for their daughter was an absolute joy. The OP described looking forward to putting her daughter to sleep every night, a routine she loved. So the thought of someone else doing it when her daughter was still so little didn’t sit well with her.
Her husband shared her feelings, stating that his parents really must not know him if they thought he would let them have the child for a night.
The OP’s husband leaned towards directly addressing the issue with his parents; however, the OP believed ignoring the voucher until it expired might be the easier way forward.
Image credits: Jack Sparrow / Pexels (not the actual photo)
The Personal Improvement Academy highlights that gifts are often given as expressions of love, even if they feel unnecessary or invasive. Understanding this intention can help one respond with compassion as opposed to feeling insulted or offended.
If the giver is open to suggestions, they suggest gently guiding them toward other alternatives.
Still on gifts, Psych Central explains that they should reflect thoughtfulness; however, some may come with unspoken expectations or conditions.
To assess whether a gift is truly selfless and without ulterior motives, they recommend “reflecting on the giver’s past behavior.” Have they ever used gifts as a way to manipulate or pressure you? Do they display patterns of unreasonable expectations or opportunism? In such cases, politely declining the gift is the way to go.
Regarding the OP not wanting to leave her child for a night, Psyched Mommy suggests there could be a hint of maternal separation anxiety, which is normal. They explain that this often happens when it comes to leaving children with grandparents or caregivers.
Acknowledging and naming these feelings can help parents process them in a healthier way. For example, it might be more helpful to communicate anxieties to caregivers or grandparents.
Netizens had mixed feelings about the situation, particularly regarding the expiry date. Some believe the gift was manipulative and they suggested simply ignoring the voucher.
Others stated that the OP and her husband are overreacting, pointing out that not having their baby with them for one night wouldn’t take away their love for their daughter or make them less attentive parents.
Gifting can be a very tricky thing. But what do you think about this situation? Do you see this gift as thoughtful or intrusive? We would love to hear your thoughts!
Some netizens believe the expiry date on the voucher is manipulative, while others think the author is just overreacting
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What do you think ?
Tabitha 5 days ago
It’s also up to OP’s husband to deal with his parents himself, without OP being there. It has to 100% come from him. His discomfort. His desire not to spend any time away from his child. That way there’s no accusation that OP is manipulating him, but that he actually feels that way all on his own. That’s how it’ll sink in.
TribbleThinking 5 days ago (edited)
I suspect that it's a matter of miscommunicated expected norms. I have two friends who became grandparents in their early 50s. Their delight turned to surprised dismay when despite perfectly cordial visits every 2-3 weeks, the parents refused to leave the toddler alone or overnight with them, not even once.
HTakeover 4 days ago
Could be. There's far too much left out to make any kind of call on this. Their collective and personal relationships with the in-laws, past history, anything about potential siblings, etc. I've seen this be a power struggle, mostly on reddit but IRL once. But I've also seen it from an empathetic standpoint as well. As in the parents were struggling getting themselves back to normal and declined all babysitting because they felt nobody else could do it "right" & were fearful. The babysitting deadline was given and eventually the parents were convinced to try it for just a little bit. They went out for a couple of hours, de-stressed some and realized just how deep in the trench they were, not operating at full capacity, and there were good people who could help them.
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Monosyllabicgirl 4 days ago
I would have been delighted with this gift but the expiry is sort of weird. Perhaps they have breakable items out that would make it easier to have an infant rather than a climbing toddler overnight? Since they are uncomfortable with the idea of a sleepover perhaps could just utilize the coupon for an evening out with dinner and a movie, picking up daughter at end. I can only wish that my in-laws had been that supportive though. I had "Irish twins" at 10.5 months apart (wedding wine oops) and neither set of grandparents would take both children even though they were actually easier together as the older one "took care" of younger one oddly. From day 1 he would sit with me and help feed, he'd entertain him and bring all his toys to him to play and try to share nearby
Kylee Pierce 3 days ago
I think it might be easier to give them a couple hours with the baby and use the voucher for that, like a dinner date but not an overnight. And if they just explain that they aren't ready to give her up for a night but a couple hours for dinner would be nice. That would give the Grandparents time with the baby, and allow the parents to use the voucher and set that boundary of not doing overnights yet without being too confrontational. It could be that they were just trying to be nice because many parents would love a one night break but it is possible that they were trying to be sneaky. If anyone confronts them about it it should be the husband though, they are his parents.
FreeTheUnicorn 2 days ago
You won't want all the gifts you get, but that's what's given . Maybe grandparents aren't comfortable with a more mobile child over ught, maybe you've taken the p**s in the past with offers made accepting them years later. But I also don't know any parents who thinks it's an I adult to leave their child with grandparents one night when the kid is nearly one. Check your privilege. Don't use the gift if you don't want, but don't pretend to be hard done by.
Allison Miller 4 days ago
I think it's crazy you are offended. Your PIL just want to love and care for your child. Everyone needs a break sometimes. I never trusted non-Grandparents to watch my kids. Hope she has the same attitude as you when she has children and you want to babysit.
Shelli Aderman 1 day ago
The parents are being a bit uptight. Not a newborn, and the grandparents put an expiration date just so the parents would take some self care time.
Jesse 5 days ago
I never once stayed with my paternal grandmother overnight, only my maternal grandma (Oma). Whenever my parents needed emergency childcare, it was always Oma covering their ásses, never my dad's mother. Now the youngest of my siblings is 16 so we don't need babysitters anymore, we're the ones asked to watch our younger cousins if their parents and Oma can't. How the turntables.
dancebunny 1 day ago
People are so uptight these days. Is there a reason to believe the grandparents could be irresponsible with the baby? BP seems to be full of parents who want to shove grandparents away. The insinuation that grandparents having a baby for a sleepover is somehow odd or sinister is ridiculous. I had sleepovers at my grandparents at an early age, so did my children and my grandchildren stayed overnight with us when they were only months old. No disruption to routine, no trauma. Just happy babies, happy grandma and grandad, and rested mummy and daddy.
Glen Ellyn 2 days ago
Considering DD is only 9 months old, a sleepover anywhere but home is a definite nope from me. Just my opinion, but I think at that young age a sleepover would be disruptive to her normal routine. And she's still unable to verbalize what she wants or needs. Two of my granddaughters and I have occasional sleepovers, but they didn't start until each of them felt ready. I have them one at time so both get one-to-one time with me, and the other gets one-to-one time with mom. If I recall correctly, the older girl started staying with me when she was six. The younger one was probably about seven.
Kathy Kennedy 4 days ago
If you all get along really well just talk to them and explain your views, they may assume you're suffering from baby exhaustion and hiding it well because you don't want to be a burden. They may just be gently( sort of) trying to make you take a night off while DD is still at what is normally a feed in the night age, let them know it's sweet but totally unnecessary and still no. .Plus point out to them that what was ok when they were younger looking after their own may be a bit more exhausting now they're older, maybe a couple hour break would work better for a start for both of you. I speak as a getting closer to 70 all the time grandparent LoL 😂
Ruth Watry 1 day ago
When my siblings had their second child, I would go when they were about four months old and offer to give them 24 hours away, so they could do whatever they wanted (sleep, go to dinner and a movie, etc.). When my niece was 3.5 and my nephew as 8 mos, we had a family week (cabins at a campground) where my sister could not get time off of work, so I took her kids for the week. But my sister was OK with being away from her children
Karen Philpott 4 days ago
Why not have play dates with the PIL so your DD gets to see them more and get to know them and feel very comfortable in their presence? At your home and occasionally at theirs. The occasional evening out with the PIL too. Then with your DD being very comfortable with them you and DH could go out for dinner for a couple of hours while the PIL look after her. Start small. Try not to put too much into the gift. Communicate.
Lee Gilliland 1 day ago
This sounds like MIL had a difficult time herself and was remembering.
Upstaged75 1 day ago (edited)
Yeah no. Unless there's an emergency (or the parents are with them) babies sleep at home. You can't just change their routine up when they're so little. The grandparents would probably be up ALL night with a screaming kid. I never even messed with nap time for someone else's request. I'm sure the grandparents just haven't had little ones in so long they forget how much babies depend on a routine. I doubt it's anything nefarious. The first time I watched my nephew overnight he was 3, and even that was a bit of a challenge. I made sure to wear him out during the day. :)
tameson 1 day ago
The only reason we had our granddaughter for overnights starting at 4 months was because her parents got covid.Before that I only babysat her at their house while my daughter was working on her computer. If it weren't for covid I don't think we would have had her for overnights until she was at least a year old.
Jessica Geib 1 day ago
I think the as to whether this is sneaky or not depends if the parents and grandparents are on the same page about how they parent. Do the grandparents like to push or cross boundaries? My MIL has made so many comments about things my husband and I have agreed are things we're not okay with. She'll say, "Well at Grandma's house things get to be different." There was a similar comment at Christmas when everyone was over, and I had had enough and said, "Yeah. My mom jokes about that too, but she always assures me she wouldn't actually do something that she knows we don't want. And I just really love that she respects me and my boundaries." Also, I wouldn't want to be gone over night before I'm done breastfeeding (1.5 more months to go - goal is 1 year). My baby has never had formula and I'm a just-enougher so it would be really hard for me to pump enough ahead of time for a bedtime bottle and a morning wake-up bottle.
Beachbum 23 hours ago
So you go for a nice dinner and have couple time. It’s important to remember you are a couple first, otherwise the family suffers.
Load More Replies... Julie Schraeder 4 hours ago
My MIL insisted on keeping my baby over night. I was an older mother and wanted to be with my baby. I didn't feel like I was missing out on anything by not going out. Plus my baby had serious heart problems & had already had one operation and would need at least one more. She wanted to keep her so bad, I let her, but I didn't feel good about it. When she was older and we wanted a night out, they weren't as interested.
Sara Briggs 9 hours ago
when my oldestvwas 6 months old I learned a huge lesson and would never ever leave my kids overnight again. went away fir a few days, they ruined his sleep schedule, cut his hair, put him on a pacifier, and gave him the worse cold sore on his lips that flared up horribly every time he got sick until his early teens. they flaunted my rules...well threw them in my face. Never again.
Karen Shinn 11 hours ago
My parents raised 4 kids. We left our son with them overnight at the age of 6 weeks, because they offered and we were able to have a date night on New Years Eve. They were actually more experienced than us with kid raising.
Vega 12 hours ago
Maybe the expiration date is because the inlaws have travel plans (lots of snowbirds leave in March and go until late April-May to avoid the melting/ I just found out that my In-laws are going on a month long trip in a passing comment last weekend. It happens that it's not discussed until last minute) or maybe they renovations planned. It could be really a "we are free to babysit from now until March 2025" and then they may have somethings planned. Maybe their son was talking about not having enough time with OP so they thought it would be nice? Who knows. OP can use it or not.
Vega 12 hours ago
I wonder if the expiration date is because they have travel plans. I have some snowbirds in my town that leave towards Florida in March and come back April-May. They say it's cheaper and they avoid the melting slush. They could also be planning renovations. It doesn't really matter. OP doesn't need to use it, but who knows.
Pamela Blue 18 hours ago
I would simply let the "coupon" expire. If the in-laws say anything as the date gets closer, simply let your husband deal with it. They're his parents, after all. If the in-laws want to spend a night with baby so badly, invite them overnight for one night, and leave it at that. Face it - you and your husband have a united front about this. It shouldn't even be an issue. They're hubby's parents - let him deal with them.
Lady Lava 21 hours ago (edited)
I would have been delighted! My daughter does sleepovers with her grandparents a few times a year, from the age of 9 months. Our daughter is a sweet child and wasn't a difficult baby, but we loved the break from parenting to be together as a couple. She's 11 now, has a great bond with her grandparents, and the sleepovers are still a highlight for her, especially when her cousins also come. But I can't judge the feelings of OP, of course, to each its own.
Beachbum 23 hours ago
Good lord stop looking for trouble. Parents are trying to give this couple a night to reconnect without the baby. They could maybe gave a drink without having to worry about middle of the night/ early morning care. If they don’t want to do the overnight, then just go to a nice dinner somewhere with free, reliable babysitting. Be grateful you have parents that are willing ti be involved and help out, some of us did not have that! I LOVED being a parent but it would have been wonderful to have a stressfree night to be able to rebond when mine were little. This woman is way over the top and a future helicopter mom. Good luck to her children. We’ll be hearing from her in 4 years, with 3 children wondering why the grandparents don’t help out 🙄
Mark Childers 1 day ago
I don't have kids. I have cats. When they were babies, there's no way I would have let someone else take care of them. They were still learning and needing me around. I totally understand these parents being uneasy about the "gift."Something like that should only happen when both parents feel at ease about it.
Uncle Schmickle 1 day ago
I believe the In - laws were genuinely trying to be helpful. I'm sure they could ignore the " expiration date :". BTW : could BP please either get rid of or give an explanation for all these capital letters ? Obviously, they're abbreviations for something, but buggered if I can understand it.
A. P. 1 day ago
Wanting to have a child who can’t do anything independently yet all to themselves SO badly that they felt the need to set an expiration date sounds so sinister. I wouldn’t let mine out of my sight until well past the age of being able to speak, fight back, and learn about predators—and never alone with just adults even then. This is such a gross situation imo. :/
Katie Barnes 1 day ago
I'm so sorry that you have parents and in-laws that you don't trust. Nor do you have any family members you fully trust. What a sad thing! My parents and in-laws would never do anything sinister or gross and I trust them with my life and the lives of my future children completely. They love babysitting their grandchildren and do an excellent job of it.
Load More Replies... Tabitha 5 days ago
It’s also up to OP’s husband to deal with his parents himself, without OP being there. It has to 100% come from him. His discomfort. His desire not to spend any time away from his child. That way there’s no accusation that OP is manipulating him, but that he actually feels that way all on his own. That’s how it’ll sink in.
TribbleThinking 5 days ago (edited)
I suspect that it's a matter of miscommunicated expected norms. I have two friends who became grandparents in their early 50s. Their delight turned to surprised dismay when despite perfectly cordial visits every 2-3 weeks, the parents refused to leave the toddler alone or overnight with them, not even once.
HTakeover 4 days ago
Could be. There's far too much left out to make any kind of call on this. Their collective and personal relationships with the in-laws, past history, anything about potential siblings, etc. I've seen this be a power struggle, mostly on reddit but IRL once. But I've also seen it from an empathetic standpoint as well. As in the parents were struggling getting themselves back to normal and declined all babysitting because they felt nobody else could do it "right" & were fearful. The babysitting deadline was given and eventually the parents were convinced to try it for just a little bit. They went out for a couple of hours, de-stressed some and realized just how deep in the trench they were, not operating at full capacity, and there were good people who could help them.
Load More Replies... Monosyllabicgirl 4 days ago
I would have been delighted with this gift but the expiry is sort of weird. Perhaps they have breakable items out that would make it easier to have an infant rather than a climbing toddler overnight? Since they are uncomfortable with the idea of a sleepover perhaps could just utilize the coupon for an evening out with dinner and a movie, picking up daughter at end. I can only wish that my in-laws had been that supportive though. I had "Irish twins" at 10.5 months apart (wedding wine oops) and neither set of grandparents would take both children even though they were actually easier together as the older one "took care" of younger one oddly. From day 1 he would sit with me and help feed, he'd entertain him and bring all his toys to him to play and try to share nearby
Kylee Pierce 3 days ago
I think it might be easier to give them a couple hours with the baby and use the voucher for that, like a dinner date but not an overnight. And if they just explain that they aren't ready to give her up for a night but a couple hours for dinner would be nice. That would give the Grandparents time with the baby, and allow the parents to use the voucher and set that boundary of not doing overnights yet without being too confrontational. It could be that they were just trying to be nice because many parents would love a one night break but it is possible that they were trying to be sneaky. If anyone confronts them about it it should be the husband though, they are his parents.
FreeTheUnicorn 2 days ago
You won't want all the gifts you get, but that's what's given . Maybe grandparents aren't comfortable with a more mobile child over ught, maybe you've taken the p**s in the past with offers made accepting them years later. But I also don't know any parents who thinks it's an I adult to leave their child with grandparents one night when the kid is nearly one. Check your privilege. Don't use the gift if you don't want, but don't pretend to be hard done by.
Allison Miller 4 days ago
I think it's crazy you are offended. Your PIL just want to love and care for your child. Everyone needs a break sometimes. I never trusted non-Grandparents to watch my kids. Hope she has the same attitude as you when she has children and you want to babysit.
Shelli Aderman 1 day ago
The parents are being a bit uptight. Not a newborn, and the grandparents put an expiration date just so the parents would take some self care time.
Jesse 5 days ago
I never once stayed with my paternal grandmother overnight, only my maternal grandma (Oma). Whenever my parents needed emergency childcare, it was always Oma covering their ásses, never my dad's mother. Now the youngest of my siblings is 16 so we don't need babysitters anymore, we're the ones asked to watch our younger cousins if their parents and Oma can't. How the turntables.
dancebunny 1 day ago
People are so uptight these days. Is there a reason to believe the grandparents could be irresponsible with the baby? BP seems to be full of parents who want to shove grandparents away. The insinuation that grandparents having a baby for a sleepover is somehow odd or sinister is ridiculous. I had sleepovers at my grandparents at an early age, so did my children and my grandchildren stayed overnight with us when they were only months old. No disruption to routine, no trauma. Just happy babies, happy grandma and grandad, and rested mummy and daddy.
Glen Ellyn 2 days ago
Considering DD is only 9 months old, a sleepover anywhere but home is a definite nope from me. Just my opinion, but I think at that young age a sleepover would be disruptive to her normal routine. And she's still unable to verbalize what she wants or needs. Two of my granddaughters and I have occasional sleepovers, but they didn't start until each of them felt ready. I have them one at time so both get one-to-one time with me, and the other gets one-to-one time with mom. If I recall correctly, the older girl started staying with me when she was six. The younger one was probably about seven.
Kathy Kennedy 4 days ago
If you all get along really well just talk to them and explain your views, they may assume you're suffering from baby exhaustion and hiding it well because you don't want to be a burden. They may just be gently( sort of) trying to make you take a night off while DD is still at what is normally a feed in the night age, let them know it's sweet but totally unnecessary and still no. .Plus point out to them that what was ok when they were younger looking after their own may be a bit more exhausting now they're older, maybe a couple hour break would work better for a start for both of you. I speak as a getting closer to 70 all the time grandparent LoL 😂
Ruth Watry 1 day ago
When my siblings had their second child, I would go when they were about four months old and offer to give them 24 hours away, so they could do whatever they wanted (sleep, go to dinner and a movie, etc.). When my niece was 3.5 and my nephew as 8 mos, we had a family week (cabins at a campground) where my sister could not get time off of work, so I took her kids for the week. But my sister was OK with being away from her children
Karen Philpott 4 days ago
Why not have play dates with the PIL so your DD gets to see them more and get to know them and feel very comfortable in their presence? At your home and occasionally at theirs. The occasional evening out with the PIL too. Then with your DD being very comfortable with them you and DH could go out for dinner for a couple of hours while the PIL look after her. Start small. Try not to put too much into the gift. Communicate.
Lee Gilliland 1 day ago
This sounds like MIL had a difficult time herself and was remembering.
Upstaged75 1 day ago (edited)
Yeah no. Unless there's an emergency (or the parents are with them) babies sleep at home. You can't just change their routine up when they're so little. The grandparents would probably be up ALL night with a screaming kid. I never even messed with nap time for someone else's request. I'm sure the grandparents just haven't had little ones in so long they forget how much babies depend on a routine. I doubt it's anything nefarious. The first time I watched my nephew overnight he was 3, and even that was a bit of a challenge. I made sure to wear him out during the day. :)
tameson 1 day ago
The only reason we had our granddaughter for overnights starting at 4 months was because her parents got covid.Before that I only babysat her at their house while my daughter was working on her computer. If it weren't for covid I don't think we would have had her for overnights until she was at least a year old.
Jessica Geib 1 day ago
I think the as to whether this is sneaky or not depends if the parents and grandparents are on the same page about how they parent. Do the grandparents like to push or cross boundaries? My MIL has made so many comments about things my husband and I have agreed are things we're not okay with. She'll say, "Well at Grandma's house things get to be different." There was a similar comment at Christmas when everyone was over, and I had had enough and said, "Yeah. My mom jokes about that too, but she always assures me she wouldn't actually do something that she knows we don't want. And I just really love that she respects me and my boundaries." Also, I wouldn't want to be gone over night before I'm done breastfeeding (1.5 more months to go - goal is 1 year). My baby has never had formula and I'm a just-enougher so it would be really hard for me to pump enough ahead of time for a bedtime bottle and a morning wake-up bottle.
Beachbum 23 hours ago
So you go for a nice dinner and have couple time. It’s important to remember you are a couple first, otherwise the family suffers.
Load More Replies... Julie Schraeder 4 hours ago
My MIL insisted on keeping my baby over night. I was an older mother and wanted to be with my baby. I didn't feel like I was missing out on anything by not going out. Plus my baby had serious heart problems & had already had one operation and would need at least one more. She wanted to keep her so bad, I let her, but I didn't feel good about it. When she was older and we wanted a night out, they weren't as interested.
Sara Briggs 9 hours ago
when my oldestvwas 6 months old I learned a huge lesson and would never ever leave my kids overnight again. went away fir a few days, they ruined his sleep schedule, cut his hair, put him on a pacifier, and gave him the worse cold sore on his lips that flared up horribly every time he got sick until his early teens. they flaunted my rules...well threw them in my face. Never again.
Karen Shinn 11 hours ago
My parents raised 4 kids. We left our son with them overnight at the age of 6 weeks, because they offered and we were able to have a date night on New Years Eve. They were actually more experienced than us with kid raising.
Vega 12 hours ago
Maybe the expiration date is because the inlaws have travel plans (lots of snowbirds leave in March and go until late April-May to avoid the melting/ I just found out that my In-laws are going on a month long trip in a passing comment last weekend. It happens that it's not discussed until last minute) or maybe they renovations planned. It could be really a "we are free to babysit from now until March 2025" and then they may have somethings planned. Maybe their son was talking about not having enough time with OP so they thought it would be nice? Who knows. OP can use it or not.
Vega 12 hours ago
I wonder if the expiration date is because they have travel plans. I have some snowbirds in my town that leave towards Florida in March and come back April-May. They say it's cheaper and they avoid the melting slush. They could also be planning renovations. It doesn't really matter. OP doesn't need to use it, but who knows.
Pamela Blue 18 hours ago
I would simply let the "coupon" expire. If the in-laws say anything as the date gets closer, simply let your husband deal with it. They're his parents, after all. If the in-laws want to spend a night with baby so badly, invite them overnight for one night, and leave it at that. Face it - you and your husband have a united front about this. It shouldn't even be an issue. They're hubby's parents - let him deal with them.
Lady Lava 21 hours ago (edited)
I would have been delighted! My daughter does sleepovers with her grandparents a few times a year, from the age of 9 months. Our daughter is a sweet child and wasn't a difficult baby, but we loved the break from parenting to be together as a couple. She's 11 now, has a great bond with her grandparents, and the sleepovers are still a highlight for her, especially when her cousins also come. But I can't judge the feelings of OP, of course, to each its own.
Beachbum 23 hours ago
Good lord stop looking for trouble. Parents are trying to give this couple a night to reconnect without the baby. They could maybe gave a drink without having to worry about middle of the night/ early morning care. If they don’t want to do the overnight, then just go to a nice dinner somewhere with free, reliable babysitting. Be grateful you have parents that are willing ti be involved and help out, some of us did not have that! I LOVED being a parent but it would have been wonderful to have a stressfree night to be able to rebond when mine were little. This woman is way over the top and a future helicopter mom. Good luck to her children. We’ll be hearing from her in 4 years, with 3 children wondering why the grandparents don’t help out 🙄
Mark Childers 1 day ago
I don't have kids. I have cats. When they were babies, there's no way I would have let someone else take care of them. They were still learning and needing me around. I totally understand these parents being uneasy about the "gift."Something like that should only happen when both parents feel at ease about it.
Uncle Schmickle 1 day ago
I believe the In - laws were genuinely trying to be helpful. I'm sure they could ignore the " expiration date :". BTW : could BP please either get rid of or give an explanation for all these capital letters ? Obviously, they're abbreviations for something, but buggered if I can understand it.
A. P. 1 day ago
Wanting to have a child who can’t do anything independently yet all to themselves SO badly that they felt the need to set an expiration date sounds so sinister. I wouldn’t let mine out of my sight until well past the age of being able to speak, fight back, and learn about predators—and never alone with just adults even then. This is such a gross situation imo. :/
Katie Barnes 1 day ago
I'm so sorry that you have parents and in-laws that you don't trust. Nor do you have any family members you fully trust. What a sad thing! My parents and in-laws would never do anything sinister or gross and I trust them with my life and the lives of my future children completely. They love babysitting their grandchildren and do an excellent job of it.
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