Babysitting and the parents have just called me drunk…

@ffsisthisreal what would happen if you said no to any more free babysitting? Are you scared of your family? Why do they expect you to help out and think it’s ok to come back much later than agreed? You need to stand up for yourself and refuse to babysit ever again.

I’d just go to sleep 🤷‍♀️

Is it just me that read the title as meaning the parents accused you of being drunk? 😁

My DD does this to me, I'm happy to babysit because she's a single parent and needs a life, but she really does take the p*ss. She says 10.30 and then calls at 11.00 to say she's leaving soon, but often is not home until 12 or later even if she's somewhere local.
I don't want to refuse to do it.

omg. this just reminded me and made me laugh. about 3 years ago , my husband had flown to canada to see our daughter and sons for a week. I was sitting at home when a god awful loud fart ripped out; blamed the dogs, but it was seriously loud and I had never heard our dogs fart like that. no smell..thank god. then 5 minutes later another. I was seriously freaked out as both dogs were sat right at my feet at the dining room table and it came from the living room... yep arsehole husband was teaching my grands how to make alexa fart long distance (he was taking over my alexa 4000 miles away lol)

Why do people have a far higher level of expectation of the OP than the other two adults who are the actual parents?

That's incredibly rude. I remember my auntie's friend asking me to watch her two kids when I was about 15, I wasn't really doing anything so said ok and she said she'd give me a fiver or something. They were in bed and I was just watching TV, which I'd have been doing at home. She said she'd be back by midnight. She wasn't, and didn't phone to let me know either. I didn't babysit for her again. When someone is doing you a favour it's not on to just take a lend of them and do what you like. Saying 'do you mind if x' changes the entire tone of it and is completely different and a grown adult can manage that fundamental level of respect.

You assume wrong. OP said she was not being paid.

I think there are very few if any babysitters, paid or unpaid, who would babysit for a family while the parents go on a night out and then tell the parents when they got home that they were too drunk and stay the night. You’re being ridiculous.

Glad you're home now.
How were they when they eventually got home?

People seem to be missing that they didn't ask if you were OK with them staying out longer, they told you they were going to have another drink.

Also it 'only' ended up being an hour later than agreed, but that wasn't what OP was aware of at the time, just that they were staying out later. No return time had been mentioned

@ffsisthisreal make sure you set some ground rules (if you don’t tell them ‘never again’ that is).

Next time they ask you could say “I will only babysit in future if you stick to the agree time” and if they pull the same stunt, say “no more”. You are letting them treat you disrespectfully and saying ‘actually my time is worthless’.

If you do carry on, I’d also say they need to pay you up front (and ensure there are snacks/treats in the house for you). And be clear that paying you still doesn’t mean they can take the mick with turning up late!

"Might"? Don't be daft - it's a favour you make plain you will NEVER do for them again.

Why are you okay being treated like dog shit by your own family. If you agreed to babysit unpaid, then I don't see an issue with that if it's your choice, but if you agreed on a time they would be back because you had plans the next day then by not honouring that they are walking all over you. I don't understand how you are "not in a place of authority" to tell them that them staying out longer than agreed isn't okay with you because you have plans the next day. Either you weren't clear with them that you wanted to be home at a certain time and they thought you were cool with it, or you allowed them to treat you poorly.

Yes you did!
You could have said “I need to get home by 11.30, so please make sure you’re not back late”.

Well from on you can say no and they can stop expecting it. (Unless you’re prepared to let people walk all over you).

I'm that (child free) auntie who did all the babysitting for my siblings when their kids were younger. I loved it have to say - since I could hand the kids back!

Anyway OP, I don't think you should lose your shit over this, it happens and parents just love a kid free (rare) night out now and then and sometimes push the envelope.

But in your case, I would plan THEIR night out to coincide with an overnight/late night where you do not have to get up early next day. I always made sure of that, so it didn't matter if parents were late home. I was never paid for this, nor did I want to be.

Just saying....

When they called and said "one more drink" why didn't you say we agreed the time you would be home and i need to get home as i have plans tomorrow so please honour aour agreement and come home immediately ?
You need to assert your boundaries .

What do you mean that you didn't have the authority? Sorry OP but YABU to lie down like a doormat and then complain when people walk all over you. You babysit for free, you don't speak up when they say they are staying out (didn't ask, just told you), you don't see the point in messaging or calling because they won't listen....? Unless there's a big back story, I would strongly suggest counselling to work on your confidence, self-esteem and assertiveness. They are taking the piss and you're letting them.

Glad you got home ok albeit late

No more babysitting for free and please learn to stand up for yourself when someone pushes for more than you’re willing to do! None of this “no authority” stuff, when it’s YOUR time being messed about with you absolutely have authority.

As is often said, "no good deed goes unpunished".

Glad you got home ok at 130am ish

they took the piss and I wouldn’t ever babysit again for them

esp as free

hope you told them how cross you were , you agreed 1030/11

Well wouldn’t you think they would value you and pay you or give you a gift voucher or something! You’re minding their precious cargo!!

What age are you @ffsisthisreal?

It sounds like you need a lot of sleep.

All very dramatic.

Of course you had the authority. You were the person in charge of their children who had agreed to stay only until 11. You were absolutely entitled to say "No, one of you must be back by 11 because that is what you agreed and I have to leave then. If you're not back I will have to call social services."

What an anti climax.
So they called and asked to stay out another drink, you agreed.
Yes, they should be paying you though.

What a melodramatic thread. Your title suggests that the parents called you completely off their face but it sounds like they were sober enough to call you and say 'we fancy going to this nightclub are you ok for another hour or 2?' This was the time to say 'actually I have a really busy day tomorrow so I do need you back so I can go home' instead of just politely asserting your own needs on them you've started a thread on a public forum where the parents are being branded terrible and selfish and you're being goaded to call ss/police which could be hugely damaging for the parents. Can you not see that this wasn't the emotionally mature response and how this is at least a little bit on you for not just telling them what you need?