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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Babysitting and the parents have just called me drunk…

189 replies

ffsisthisreal · 25/04/2026 23:16

45 minutes after they were meant to be home, steaming, from a club.

I can see this being a 2/3am job. I’ve got plans tomorrow and they’re family, so I do this for free.

AIBU to be raging?

OP posts:
TheBroonOneAndTheWhiteOne · 25/04/2026 23:55

ffsisthisreal · 25/04/2026 23:54

“Alexa, set a blaring alarm for 5:45 am” 😁😁😁😁

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Do it!

Original poster
ffsisthisreal · 25/04/2026 23:55

minipie · 25/04/2026 23:53

who says they were going to anyway?
If they were going to anyway, they wouldn’t have bothered calling surely. They called to see if you were ok with it. You aren’t ok with it but you said ok, it sounds like?

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No, they called to ask if the kids were alright

OP posts:
TheBroonOneAndTheWhiteOne · 25/04/2026 23:54

What's a convicted Netflix show?
Grin

Original poster
ffsisthisreal · 25/04/2026 23:54

tachetastic · 25/04/2026 23:54

This. And is there any way to set a few alarms to go off at 30 minute intervals from, say, 6am??? 😂

You sound like an amazing person who the children will be very lucky to have as an older cousin in years to come.

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“Alexa, set a blaring alarm for 5:45 am” 😁😁😁😁

OP posts:
Eggybreadwithnuts · 25/04/2026 23:54

You need to stay over...the children are at risk

Original poster
ffsisthisreal · 25/04/2026 23:54

PillsBox · 25/04/2026 23:52

They asked if everything was okay and when I said yes, they said they’d be staying out for another drink.

I’m struggling with this.

You didn’t tell them no because you need to be up early?

This thread is strange, including you saying they won’t be home till 3am.

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They didn’t ask about staying out, they just asked if the kids were alright.

they’ve been known to have late nights before (but not with me!)

OP posts:
tachetastic · 25/04/2026 23:54

ffsisthisreal · 25/04/2026 23:40

I’d not do that to them, it’ll ruin their lives. Plus I think being hanging and taking the kids to junior parkrun at 9am might be punishment enough

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This. And is there any way to set a few alarms to go off at 30 minute intervals from, say, 6am??? 😂

You sound like an amazing person who the children will be very lucky to have as an older cousin in years to come.

minipie · 25/04/2026 23:53

ffsisthisreal · 25/04/2026 23:52

Because what difference will it make when there going to anyway?

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who says they were going to anyway?
If they were going to anyway, they wouldn’t have bothered calling surely. They called to see if you were ok with it. You aren’t ok with it but you said ok, it sounds like?

Gymnopedie · 25/04/2026 23:53

ffsisthisreal · 25/04/2026 23:52

Because what difference will it make when there going to anyway?

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I take it they have form? Well they've just shot themselves in both feet haven't they?

Flamingojune · 25/04/2026 23:53

I wouldnt do it for free

minipie · 25/04/2026 23:52

I would be texting or calling them to say “We agreed 11pm finish, it’s now 11.50, I need you to be back midnight latest as I have to be up early tomorrow.”

What did you say when they said “one more drink” on the phone? Because if you just said “ok” then I can understand why they might think you’re ok with whenever. If you said “but we agreed 11pm” then they are very very out of order.

Delphiniumandlupins · 25/04/2026 23:52

You could send a text and simply go to sleep in/on their bed but they'll probably wake you when they get home. Ditto if you take their duvet and lie down on the sofa. I really hope they are enjoying their last night out together in a long time. Please make any other family who might get asked to babysit in future aware of this behaviour.

Original poster
ffsisthisreal · 25/04/2026 23:52

thestudio · 25/04/2026 23:51

I'm not victim blaming - they’re awful - but why didn’t you say No when they said we’re staying out for another drink?

So many of us need to find our voices… we’re socialised to have a terror of being disliked or having others cross with us and it fucks us on a daily basis.

Because what difference will it make when there going to anyway?

OP posts:
PillsBox · 25/04/2026 23:52

ffsisthisreal · 25/04/2026 23:17

They asked if everything was okay and when I said yes, they said they’d be staying out for another drink.

I don’t have many options now as I’m obviously here and I can’t leave the kids alone!

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They asked if everything was okay and when I said yes, they said they’d be staying out for another drink.

I’m struggling with this.

You didn’t tell them no because you need to be up early?

This thread is strange, including you saying they won’t be home till 3am.

Gymnopedie · 25/04/2026 23:51

Oops, cross posted. Glad they're on their way.

thestudio · 25/04/2026 23:51

I'm not victim blaming - they’re awful - but why didn’t you say No when they said we’re staying out for another drink?

So many of us need to find our voices… we’re socialised to have a terror of being disliked or having others cross with us and it fucks us on a daily basis.

Gymnopedie · 25/04/2026 23:51

1.05 (I'm being optimistic!)

Pineapplewaves · 25/04/2026 23:50

If you genuinely think that they won’t be home until the early hours go and make up a bed for yourself - if there is no spare room, one of the kids rooms would be your best option as you’ll get woken up when the patents get home if you chose their room or the sofa. Leave early in the morning when you know the parents have returned. If they are hungover, tough - they need to deal with the kids regardless. Don’t babysit for them again.

ThreeDeafMice · 25/04/2026 23:50

Tell them the house is on fire.

DownyBirch · 25/04/2026 23:50

ffsisthisreal · 25/04/2026 23:35

At this point I don’t think they’d really care, they sounded too far gone on the phone to really give a shit.

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Tell them you're not OK to carry on babysitting, they need to come home immediately, and if they do not do so you will report them to social services for abandoning their children.

Original poster
ffsisthisreal · 25/04/2026 23:50

They’re on the way home!!!! Thank the Lord because I’ve been watching the most convicted Netflix show ever and it’s not really made sense

OP posts:
youalright · 25/04/2026 23:49

ffsisthisreal · 25/04/2026 23:48

They called at 11:10 to say one more drink.

It’s now 11:50, bets on when they’ll be back?

1.20am

Original poster
ffsisthisreal · 25/04/2026 23:48

They called at 11:10 to say one more drink.

It’s now 11:50, bets on when they’ll be back?

OP posts:
ScotiaLass · 25/04/2026 23:46

I'd text them saying that they have until midnight to get home, and if they are not there by then you are going to sleep in their bed and you expect them to take the sofa. It's totally out of order asking you to babysit until 10.30pm and then heading to a nightclub!

youalright · 25/04/2026 23:43

TimeFlysWhenYoureHavingRum · 25/04/2026 23:40

Go home. Call the police and leave it with them.

Don't be ridiculous.