Finding childcare for your kids can be expensive and a struggle, especially if you're not one of the very lucky people who have other family members who are willing to help for free.
One mum has been left outraged after she was made to fork out "horrendous costs" for childcare, as she believes her own parents should have stepped up and offered to babysit.
The mum said her parents are both retired and are in good health, but said that while they enjoy spending time with their grandkids, they don't want to do it on a regular basis, so aren't "reliable" enough as babysitters.
The woman, however, believes her parents should offer some form of childcare, and branded their decision to only see their grandkids "on their terms" as "morally dire".
In a post on Mumsnet, she said: "I have young children and no childcare issues aside from the horrendous cost. My parents, like many others I know, enjoy being with my kids but it's pretty much always on their terms. They would take them for a day but it wouldn't be consistent or reliable so couldn't make it a regular thing.
"I'm not sure how I feel about this and on balance I think it's pretty morally dire. Luckily I can afford childcare and nursery but I perhaps would feel more strongly if I couldn't. However, whilst it's easy for me to say this now, I do think I would step up and do some childcare for my children if they had children. I can't imagine just letting the days roll by leisurely and not setting aside even one day a week to be a reliable help.
"I know in other cultures this is standard and families pull together much more. [Am I being unreasonable] to think there is actually a moral obligation here, to make some form of childcare contribution, however small?"
Commenters on the post were split, however, as while some agreed that they would feel upset if their parents didn't offer to help with childcare, others said they were under no obligation to babysit for free.
One person said: "No I don't think they are obligated, it's a bonus if they do. They have done their child-raising and didn't force you to have children, that was your choice.
As another added: "No. You decided to have children, so it's your responsibility. They've done their child-rearing. I do think they should help out in an emergency, but then I think anyone should help others out in emergency situations if they can.
But another disagreed, writing: "You'll be told many times on this thread that they have done their parenting and that they owe you nothing, but I agree with you.
"My MIL tried to get us to move countries and buy a house on her street so she could help, but would only be willing to do half a day a week!"
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