#parent | #kids | #parent | #kids | How To Cope When Grandparents Won’t Help Babysit Kids

Every mom out there deserves a break now and then, and that is only one reason why she may need someone who can watch her children. There are moms who have to work, either full-time or part-time, moms who have medical appointments or just moms who have unexpected errands come up. These are all valid reasons why mom would need someone to watch her children, and her go-to may be her parents. They may be her first choice when it comes to childcare, and she often assumes that they won’t mind since they get to spend time with their grandchildren.


However, mom can be alarmed when she asks her parents, and they refuse. They may say they don’t want to watch their grandchildren, or that they are “busy” every time, and mom starts to suggest that something more is going on. This can confuse mom, and it can frustrate her. She assumes that her parents would want to help her, since she is still their child, and if mom doesn’t have anyone else to watch her children, it can be stressful. Mom may need to learn how to cope with this information, and understanding what is going on may be the first step.

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Why Don’t Grandparents Want To Babysit?

As we mentioned, it is easy to assume that parents would want to spend time with their grandchildren, but that is not always the case.

According to Kid Sit, there can be many reasons why grandparents may turn down the chance to watch their grandchildren. They may be too busy with errands and activities of their own, they may not have the energy for it, especially if they are older and in poorer health, or they may just feel like they have done their job as parents, and they want to just enjoy their grandchildren now without the added responsibility.

Communication

According to Parents, communication is going to be the best way to figure out what is going on, and it may be the best way for mom to cope. If mom can talk to her parents in an open and honest way, she may find out that there is a logical reason for why they keep saying no. It is human nature to go to the most negative reason first, and mom may be assuming that her parents don’t want to help her, or they don’t want to be with their grandchildren, but that may not be the case. If mom can understand their reasoning, and empathize with them, it may help her cope with their decision.

Take Control

According to Today’s Parent, there is not much you can do if your parents refuse to help you babysit, so you have to focus on yourself. You have to take control, and find a way to make it work. If you need someone to watch your children, maybe check in with friends and family that you hadn’t previously considered since you assumed your parents would help. Look into private care services for help.

When we take control back, it can help us feel empowered. Self-affirmations, like knowing that we don’t want someone to watch our kids if they don’t really want to, can also help to feel in control, and it can be a great coping strategy.

Sources: Kid Sit, Parents, Today’s Parent