To be a little annoyed by this token gift

So this ppl are well off, go on holiday a lot and can’t pay a babysitter to go out?! You are being used, need to stop that for yourself.

On the contrary. She gives them hundreds of hours of free baby sitting. Being upset at being given a shoddy present is entirely understandable.

If you don't like it don't do it. Maybe they're skint? I don't know

Why are you babysitting for free? You’re a mug to have done at least 200 hours of free babysitting. And no you don’t have to continue, even if you’ve already said you will do xyz. If it was a paid job you could resign, you’re not being paid, so you can most definitely say it no longer works for you/ you no longer want to spend your free time doing free babysitting. Stop being a mug. THEIR childcare is NOT your responsibility.

YABU if you continue to babysit for them. You are being a doormat.

What a transactional mindset you have, OP.

There is nothing on God’s green earth that says you cannot change your mind.

Is there.
Wasn’t a question.

I’ve decided to charge this year.
See? Easy as cake.

And if they get offended, well, that’s a them problem.
That is not a you problem.
Savvy?

They treat you like a used doormat because you allow them to!

why would they pay more than £3 tat when they know you will settle for it and they need do no more than display a huffy face at you if you don’t tow the line?

you don’t argue with them

start the new year by announcing you are cutting down the free babysitting to once a month and after that it is paid

Op just stop babysitting. Why would you give up your time for people who don't appreciate you?

They are completely taking you for granted.

I would actually be tempted to write a long text about how they have made you feel. I don’t think it’s unreasonable to share those feelings when they are expecting so much of you and trusting you with their most precious part of their lives 3x per month.

I know we're not supposed to expect gifts, but that's a piss take.
I'd be cutting down on the baby sitting! Or even start charging.

If I were you I would tell them you are going to be doing more paid work in your time off as the cost of living has gone up and you won't be able to babysit for them for free. Maybe stick with the January ones but tell them they need to find other babysitters after that. If they have the money then it's unreasonable to expect you to babysit so often for free. The fact that they are so unappreciative means you owe them nothing as they are taking advantage of your kindness.

When my sister found out that DD was calling in on 27th to exchange presents and have dinner she decided it would be a good time to also call in to exchange presents.
I think we talked about it a few days before Christmas but i don't think I agreed to it. DD doesn't cope well with last minute changes and she tried to hide in the kitchen with her boyfriend and her dog. My sister of course found her.
DD was coaxed to exchange presents with her, her husband and 2 kids in my tiny living room! 8 ppl and a dog. It was crazy!
Sister did this last year in DD house but i wasnt quick enough to stop it happening this year in my house. I often get overwhelmed and confused by my sister.
I need to make sure that my sister doesn't do this again or it will damage my relationship with my DD

Committed? It’s only babysitting.

Become uncommitted, learn to say no and say you're not well, you're busy etc.

I would add it sounds normal not to receive anything, and anything you do get is a token gift / you do for the love.

I do feel they are asking way too much of you, just say youre going to be busier next year.

Come on, OP, you need to put a stop to this. They have absolutely no respect for you and if you don't take action now then you won't have any respect for yourself.

Send them a message saying, "Sorry, I won't be able to babysit for you any more."

When they reply in hysterics, just say, "I have babysat over 200 hours for you this year. You have shown me what you think of me by buying me a dirt cheap present that you knew I wouldn't like."

You could add "While you gave XYZ "presents" when they do fuck all for you" if you wanted to add fuel to the fire.

Honestly, you have to act, otherwise you're treating yourself as badly as they are treating you.

This reaction, maybe even more than the rubbish gift, shows that they don't care about you and are massively taking you for granted. I would pull right back in your shoes, and if they ask, tell them exactly why.

I'm so cross with them on your behalf Op. I can imagine them in the shops suddenly realising that they need them get you something and grabbing the nearest bargain box. The way your Nephew was gleeful tells you how it was considered. Not a heartwarming gesture but a get one over on you gift.

I bet you have said that you love taking care of the children and they have taken that to mean that they are doing you the favour by allowing you to have plenty of time with the children. They will of course be the injured party when you tell them you aren't doing it any more

Please find a way to get out of the bookings they have made with you for the coming year. As you have another siblings family you babysit for and who appreciates you I know it won't be easy if you know it will be seen as devisive in the family as a whole.

Be strong and don't let them take you for granted in 2026.

They're rude and entitled and downright greedy. Rescind everything you've agreed to for next year and tell them all your new year's resolution is self care and to stop being taken advantage of. If they say anything about it being babysitting related you then tell them how hurt you feel. Fuck them. They're the ones at fault here and they're only going to get pissy because of the value of what they're losing by taking such advantage of you. God it boils my piss. Please take care of yourself.

Why?

You sound entitled and it seems you’re getting your wires crossed and disappointing yourself in the process.

You offered free babysitting, they accepted it. There was no arrangement for money, gifts or whatever else to come from that. Yes, it’s an arrangement that is totally favoured towards them and not you…but it is silly that you feel crestfallen that they got better gifts for others in their life.

You basically fucked yourself over and set yourself up for failure by pricing yourself as free, by being extremely available, by giving them ample amounts of childcare. you basically set the standard as low, where they see you as cheap value accordingly, and like an afterthought.

You think they’re magically going to realise how helpful you are and that somehow your free childcare means they see you as their inner circle and really close to them, but life doesn’t work that way.

If they get very unhappy when you’re not available to babysit, that clearly indicates they don’t see you as being a close part of their lives, and therefore it follows that they wouldn’t get you a nice gift. They don’t see you in that way. To me the writing was on the wall.

That is not nice OP it just reeks of so little thought, I’d cut back if I were you, no one likes to be taken for granted in any setting, but especially when it involves your free time.

All of this xxx

Op - I take a more expensive present round to a friend who has invited me for dinner. My cleaner (who comes fortnightly and is paid well) got double money and £40 present for Xmas.

Agree with PPs who say cut back with some notice. In your position, I'd tell them that your NY resolution is putting your own needs higher up your agenda and that, from February, you'll only be able to commit to babysitting once a month (or whatever you think will work) - to free time up for yourself.

I get why you feel fed up but think you need to take responsibility, either tell them you can no longer do as much/do unpaid babysitting or stop altogether, you said they can more than afford to pay so let them start doing that. Be firm and say no and stick to it, they’re using you and your letting them. Grow a backbone!

Stop babysitting for them. Some people only see your value or loss of you once it's gone.

They won't have a free babysitter, not your problem. Someone else can step up or not.

@FreyjaOfTheNorth , thank you.