DEAR ABBY: Both my grown daughters work, and I take care of their daughters for them. Granted, I have them only a few hours a day, but I still have to feed them and give them snacks and juice.
All I ask in return is $20 for each child every two weeks to help pay for the food and beverages.
My older daughter says it's definitely worth it to her, as it would cost far more for someone else to care for her daughter. My younger daughter and her husband, however, are throwing a fit. They insist that a grandmother should never charge money to watch her own grandchild. I also watch them on weekends and barely get a thank-you.
What is your opinion, Abby? Am I ... A GRANDMA OR A DOORMAT?
DEAR GRANDMA: Twenty dollars per child for every two weeks seems reasonable to me. I'm sure you wouldn't ask your daughters to chip in if you didn't need the money. Your younger daughter is looking a gift horse in the mouth. Tell her to stop saying "nay" and pony up the money or provide her own lunches and snacks.
P.S. Your older daughter is right. Child care costs a bundle these days, and anyone who doubts it should check it out.