To be a little annoyed by this token gift

You're absolutely not wrong. They must be under the impression that they are doing your a favour by going out and letting you spend time with their children🙄 honestly - some people!

I'd be taking up hobbies , new year new you. What you do is unappreciated by them. Get busy join clubs

I think i would offer babysitting to other families who pay (£10-£12 ph) instead

next time they ask, just say you have a paid gig already that date

So your sister only bought you a £3 gift (From the children). What did you buy her?

Also ,. Maybe start charging for babysitting?

So? Their £3 gift has gone down badly with you too. Why are you letting your brother and SIL ( I presume) take the piss out of you? They are doing it because you let them and don't do anything about it. If they don't like it, tough. They will lose out because they would have to find a paid babysitter.

This time could be used for a hobby, your interests (finding or cultivating one), studying, or even part time work (paid babysitting?) to save towards your future. Or rest, which is also for you. You sound lovely, but your self esteem needs a boost - that’s why that gift felt so rubbish, it was your self esteem knowing deep down your worth, your value, and that they are not valuing you appropriately. Tell them that this year from Easter (or whenever) you are studying more /plan a new hobby for future career or whatever it is, and invest in yourself. When you are older and have children - they will not do the same for you, and you may not be able to afford sitters - worst of both worlds as you’re limited now, and will be even more limited then. Your child free years are so so precious, please use this time for you as they’ve shown they are eroding your self esteem.

Don’t know exactly how old you are, but say that your studies take precedence. You’re sorry, but it’s an important time in your life.
Either cut down radically or all together.
It sounds as though it’s affecting your self- esteem being taken for granted in this way.

Also, you may want to find time for a paid job somewhere.

I could say that pink is blue in my experience but it still wouldn't make it true 🤷‍♂️

These people are users. I’d be offering my services very sparingly from now on (and only if I enjoyed looking after the children from time to time). They should have bought you a thoughtful, not mean present too.

You tried to invalidate OP's reaction to the shit present she got from her SIL after 200+ hours of free babysitting by humble-bragging about yourself.

That's gas-lighting and in my experience there are two kinds of people who gaslight: sadists and masochists.

This should be carved in stone.

Find a hobby so you are less available. They need to learn to respect your time.

We took 2 of my nieces on the polar express last year, bought the DVD to watch first, then matching PJ's for us all so a pretty expensive trip. bought them home, didn't get a thank you. That was the last time i have taken them anywhere if they or their parents can't be arsed to say thank you, i can't be arsed to take them anywhere again. This year we have had a lovely couple of nights at a spa with the money which is usually spent on Christmas gifts.

You can still change your mind or charge if you give notice

That's to excuse them from buying something decent

The ocean is smaller than the piss your siblings are taking!
Fuck their tantrums, such pathetic behaviour that you need not be an enabler to

Just be mostly available for the nice ones, and mostly unavailable for the CFs.

Decommitt, OP. Tell the cheapskates that things have come up and that you're moving on. Or just tell them straight out that they are being CFs and that they cap pay for help.

I think they are tight arses and they are using you. How much have you saved them?
i think id develop a hobby which v quickly starts to take up a lot of your time 😉.

Their reaction to your single refusal tells me that they feel they can treat you badly in the knowledge that you’ll still show up for them….

Please don’t be a doormat, OP!

You need to set yourself some boundaries and NOT providing free child care for people who treat you like should be one of them! They are taking advantage of you for certain.

You are worth more than this.

It’s not just about the rubbish Christmas gift, it’s about their disrespectful attitude towards you and your kindness. I would do as a previous poster said, and cancel any arrangements you have made more than 2 months away.

Just give notice that you can no longer baby sit due to new commitments at work/ new hobby etc. They’ve disrespected you and do not value you at all. Please do not allow them to use you anymore.

Maybe mention the other family’s gift? Just in passing…..

Don't agree to any more dates. Do what you've agreed and simply don't book anything else in.

Or, drastically decrease what you do book in. Maybe once a month or once every 6 weeks. Suggest a babysitting agency or someone you know who does paid sitting if they say they are stuck.

Stick to it. They'll know why.

If they ever get shirty about you not being available then just cancel all the dates. You're not their staff!

If you don’t enjoy babysitting or feel like you’re taken advantage of by babysitting don’t do it or become less available . If you really enjoy it then yes I’d be a bit pissed off too so I’d still maybe become a bit less available so they have to pay for babysitters or struggle to find another family member might make them appreciate you a bit more . I think they’re CF actually

Why on earth are you being such a doormat. You work the same hours as them and then do free childcare for them, which is obviously not appreciated. Get out of this arrangement sooner rather than later!