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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to feel let down by an unfulfilled babysitting offer?

44 replies

RoseHiker · 26/05/2026 23:06

I went on holidays recently with my family (15 month old and 14 year old).

My parents and sis also booked in.

My mother mentioned to my sister she wanted to mind the baby while me and my partner went for dinner one evening as we rarely get out together.

She offered to take my baby an evening my partner took our son to theme park.

I said the following evening would work for us but it never happenend and I am feeling a bit let down and upset. I did hint the next day it would nice to get some time together.

To be clear we did not bring parents to babysit. We booked on at later stage. I wouldnt have expected anything if it was not initially offered.

What is more annoying is everyone keeps saying oh you must had lots of babysitting while you were away. Tbh not really. I think thats why its still on my mind.

Why offer and not do it :(

OP posts:
youalright · 27/05/2026 07:28

All you had to say is are you still OK to have the kids tonight.

Overthebow · 27/05/2026 07:23

You turned down her offer and then didn’t ask for another day, just said another night. You probably made it sound like you didn’t want her to babysit. Why didn’t you say please could you do it tomorrow?

ChickenBananaBanana · 27/05/2026 07:11

Hinters are the WORST.

Just ask.

Endofyear · 27/05/2026 07:10

They're your parents! You should have just asked them directly 🤷‍♀️

GinaandGin · 26/05/2026 23:48

Wolfiefan · 26/05/2026 23:10

Why did you hint and not ask?

This
I can't have hinters
I need direct communication

SandrenaIsMyBloodType · 26/05/2026 23:27

RoseHiker · 26/05/2026 23:16

I am the type of person that doesn't like to ask. I wait for the offer :(

And honestly it doesn’t sound from your posts like she actually spoke to you and made a firm offer of babysitting. It sounds as though she hinted that she was open to the idea, said she “could” babysit and mentioned it to your sister, but hat she stopped short of actually saying to you “I will babysit at this time”.
I don’t think you can reasonably be miffed because something you didn’t ask for, and that wasn’t explicitly offered to you, didn’t happen. There’s a lot of pussyfooting around in your family.

Original poster
RoseHiker · 26/05/2026 23:24

@Pippa12 thanks. It only playing on my mind because people asked me today about babysitters

OP posts:
Original poster
RoseHiker · 26/05/2026 23:23

@Pippa12 thanks. It only playing on my mind because people asked me today about babysitters

OP posts:
Error404FucksNotFound · 26/05/2026 23:23

RoseHiker · 26/05/2026 23:22

I did. I said tomorrow night instead

And when you said that, what was her reply?

Original poster
RoseHiker · 26/05/2026 23:22

I did. I said tomorrow night instead

OP posts:
Pippa12 · 26/05/2026 23:20

She might of changed her mind? I’d just forget it tbh. There little for such a short time, just enjoy it.

MsGreying · 26/05/2026 23:20

RoseHiker · 26/05/2026 23:16

I am the type of person that doesn't like to ask. I wait for the offer :(

You've learnt you'll wait forever so learn to speak up.

You do know you're allowed to ask people things?

Wolfiefan · 26/05/2026 23:18

She offered to take the baby.
You said not that night. You should have been explicit about what you did want to happen.

Error404FucksNotFound · 26/05/2026 23:18

RoseHiker · 26/05/2026 23:16

I am the type of person that doesn't like to ask. I wait for the offer :(

But the offer had already been made. You would just have been asking whether you could redeem it.

Original poster
RoseHiker · 26/05/2026 23:16

I am the type of person that doesn't like to ask. I wait for the offer :(

OP posts:
SnappyQuoter · 26/05/2026 23:13

Why didn’t you just ask? Your mum already made the offer, your husband went out for that night so it was then on you to sort out asking her the next time.

Error404FucksNotFound · 26/05/2026 23:12

Why did you hint instead of saying is that babysitting offer still on for tonight, mum?

ProudAzureSquid · 26/05/2026 23:10

Maybe you shouldn't have given her a "hint", could've just asked directly if it is possible to babysit.

Wolfiefan · 26/05/2026 23:10

Why did you hint and not ask?