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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:
ReadingSoManyThreads · 25/04/2026 23:41

TimeFlysWhenYoureHavingRum · 25/04/2026 23:40

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

Terrible advice, OP could get in serious trouble leaving children alone.

rwalker · 25/04/2026 23:40

Whilst it’s shit today they have done you a massive favour
you can fully justify why you won’t do it again when they ask you

Original poster
ffsisthisreal · 25/04/2026 23:40

TimeFlysWhenYoureHavingRum · 25/04/2026 23:40

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

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

OP posts:
ReadingSoManyThreads · 25/04/2026 23:40

Go to sleep in their bed until they get home. Then when they are sober, charge them for it & obviously never babysit for them again.

Original poster
ffsisthisreal · 25/04/2026 23:40

Pineapplewaves · 25/04/2026 23:40

Did you agree with them that they would be home by a certain time? Or do they think that you will babysit for as long as they decide to stay out?

We agreed 10:30-11 ish

OP posts:
TimeFlysWhenYoureHavingRum · 25/04/2026 23:40

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

Pineapplewaves · 25/04/2026 23:40

Did you agree with them that they would be home by a certain time? Or do they think that you will babysit for as long as they decide to stay out?

Imanexcellentdrivercharliebabbit · 25/04/2026 23:38

SirAlbusRumbledore · 25/04/2026 23:35

I did say IF she thinks they’re at risk.

There’s drunk and there is drunk.

I - also middle class professional - do drink and have been drunk when responsible for my kids…but never more than I knew I could snap back sober enough if there was an emergency to deal with.

and it’s a little ridiculous to say “oh for crying out loud”…no-one I know would in their right mind leave the house if there was any inkling the parents couldn’t care for the kids.

But that is an assessment only the OP can make.

Show quote history

If you feel that strongly and find yourself in that position it’s a 101 call to police and the out of hours Emergency Duty Team within Children’s Social Care
(I’m a social worker)
You are under absolutely no obligation to look after someone’s else’s kids if they are shit faced

Original poster
ffsisthisreal · 25/04/2026 23:38

EmeraldRoulette · 25/04/2026 23:37

you need to call them now

Keep pressing the redial button if you have to

Do you know what the closing time is of where they've gone? It's only 1130 now. If they can be home by quarter past midnight, you'll get home considerably earlier than you will do if they get home at 3:30 or 4! I would have told them that as soon as you spoke to them.

Edited

If it’s where I think they are, it’s 3am 🙃 they won’t come home. I wish they were the type of people who would, but they really won’t.

OP posts:
EmeraldRoulette · 25/04/2026 23:38

I mean, they might do a Beyoncé and Lady Gaga on you and just switch the phone off

but you should at least try

EmeraldRoulette · 25/04/2026 23:37

you need to call them now

Keep pressing the redial button if you have to

Do you know what the closing time is of where they've gone? It's only 1130 now. If they can be home by quarter past midnight, you'll get home considerably earlier than you will do if they get home at 3:30 or 4! I would have told them that as soon as you spoke to them.

Imanexcellentdrivercharliebabbit · 25/04/2026 23:36

Are you on the phone now?
what’s your plan?
tell them police have arrived as someone had stolen their car off the drive and they need to get home !
or such like lol
im getting second hand pisstake anger now I think lol !!!

Original poster
ffsisthisreal · 25/04/2026 23:35

greatvisuals · 25/04/2026 23:34

You need to be assertive. Call them and say they need to come home straight away as you have plans.

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

OP posts:
SirAlbusRumbledore · 25/04/2026 23:35

Imanexcellentdrivercharliebabbit · 25/04/2026 23:31

Oh for crying out loud most the parents I know (middle class professionals , leafy Cambridge) get pissed at the weekends with their kids upstairs asleep all the time /
sheesh !

Show quote history

I did say IF she thinks they’re at risk.

There’s drunk and there is drunk.

I - also middle class professional - do drink and have been drunk when responsible for my kids…but never more than I knew I could snap back sober enough if there was an emergency to deal with.

and it’s a little ridiculous to say “oh for crying out loud”…no-one I know would in their right mind leave the house if there was any inkling the parents couldn’t care for the kids.

But that is an assessment only the OP can make.

greatvisuals · 25/04/2026 23:34

You need to be assertive. Call them and say they need to come home straight away as you have plans.

Imanexcellentdrivercharliebabbit · 25/04/2026 23:34

ffsisthisreal · 25/04/2026 23:29

Think this just about sums up how I’m feeling about this right now

Show quote history

Call and call and call their phones and the
family chat if need be
say police or fire engine, social services has turned up at the house needing to speak to homeowners

No way I’d be cocking about till the small hours if I’d only agreed till 11 pm
I hate the way people take the piss like this
-take control !!

Original poster
ffsisthisreal · 25/04/2026 23:32

To be honest the thing that worries me most is driving home tired now. I don’t really enjoy doing it, but I need my car early up and buses don’t start till around 10 on a Sunday.

AAAAARRRRRRGGGGHHHHHHH

OP posts:
Besidemyselfwithworry · 25/04/2026 23:31

Why don’t you go and strip their bed and decide to wash their bedding to be helpful - that will be a right ballache for them to sort out pissed up 🤣

Imanexcellentdrivercharliebabbit · 25/04/2026 23:31

SirAlbusRumbledore · 25/04/2026 23:29

It is, but you really can’t leave the children if you think they could be at risk.

how old are the kids?

Show quote history

Oh for crying out loud most the parents I know (middle class professionals , leafy Cambridge) get pissed at the weekends with their kids upstairs asleep all the time /
sheesh !

mumofoneAloneandwell · 25/04/2026 23:30

Yanbu! They should've been clear what kind of night it is before going!

They should offer you £100 as an apology and vow never to do it again x

Original poster
ffsisthisreal · 25/04/2026 23:29

Imanexcellentdrivercharliebabbit · 25/04/2026 23:28

Absolutely bloody get out of there and never ever go back as a baby sitter
In meantime call and say they need to get back pronto as you had an uber arranged and he’s waiting outside and you are feeling unwell with D&V
Put it on the family chat too so everyone can see it , and if ignored repeatedly call and call their phones saying will need to get home or someone else will need to tag team as you are ill

CF cocksuckers

Show quote history

Think this just about sums up how I’m feeling about this right now

OP posts:
Original poster
ffsisthisreal · 25/04/2026 23:29

SirAlbusRumbledore · 25/04/2026 23:29

It is, but you really can’t leave the children if you think they could be at risk.

how old are the kids?

Show quote history

They’re asleep, I think they’ll be fine 🤷🏻‍♀️

OP posts:
SirAlbusRumbledore · 25/04/2026 23:29

ffsisthisreal · 25/04/2026 23:24

It’s their choice to make as the parents, at the end of the day. No spare room or blankets for the sofa.

Edited
Show quote history

It is, but you really can’t leave the children if you think they could be at risk.

how old are the kids?

Imanexcellentdrivercharliebabbit · 25/04/2026 23:28

ffsisthisreal · 25/04/2026 23:18

The second they get back I’m leaving. I’m knackered and up early

Show quote history

Absolutely bloody get out of there and never ever go back as a baby sitter
In meantime call and say they need to get back pronto as you had an uber arranged and he’s waiting outside and you are feeling unwell with D&V
Put it on the family chat too so everyone can see it , and if ignored repeatedly call and call their phones saying will need to get home or someone else will need to tag team as you are ill

CF cocksuckers

Original poster
ffsisthisreal · 25/04/2026 23:27

murasaki · 25/04/2026 23:18

Definitely the last time I'd babysit.

I think it might have to be.

Id not be too bothered if I’d not had a busy day today and have a busy one tomorrow too

OP posts:
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