Babysitting.

[Claire527]

Hi Everyone,

Do you think I am being unreasonable refusing to babysit my sons, younger, half sister? My son is 6 years old and has regular contact with his father and he dearly loves his little sister. I just don't feel comfortable with it! Should I do it for my sons sake??

What do you think?

It would probably be a nice opportunity for them to play together, but no of course you don't have to!

Most ex's probably don't look after new dc.

No, your son presumably sees his half sister when he visits his dad. I don't think you should feel obliged to babysit at all

I can see why you would feel uncomfortable but she is his sister and will always be a part of his life. Do you know her at all?

Hope someone with experience of this will be along to advise.

You shouldn't feel obliged to but it may keep things sweet if you need an urgent babysitter.

Depends on the reasons for refusing...

In response to, " Reasons for refusing", I suppose they are purely selfish on my part. Although I ended the relationship with my sons father, do I really want to see them playing happy families, dressed up to death, going out having a good time??

Answer to that is no!! I realise I sound a bit jealous but I don't care. I don't feel at ease with the thought of this.

On the other hand, I know for a fact that my son would love me to babysit his sister!????
Help!!!!

Could you babysit her in your own home?

Oh go on do it-you can have a nose around while they are out

In that case, OP, I think YAB a bit U. It's nice to be nice and, as you say, your son would love it - and surely he is the most important thing in your world?

If you're not comfortable with it, then don't do it.

I have a simelar situation with my ex who has a toddler with his new girlfriend. This is the third child for the new girlfriend, and I know that she and my ex have a hard time getting any time alone because 2 weekends out of four my ex had my dc's and she can only get a babysitter for her two older ones at any one time. So I offered to have the baby one weekend when my dc's are home with me so that she could get a sitter for the other two and they could go out. I'd acually quite like to have my dc's younger sibling for a while, but I was never taken up on the offer. My ex said the gf wasn't comfortable with it, which is of course up to her. She's nice to my two so I'm happy. I'm also happily remarried so there are no wierd feelings there.

Can't you have her to stay at yours? It would be nice for your ds, and of course they can return the favour (although being your ds's father, it wouldn't actually be babysitting I guess!).

YANBU though. You shouldn't feel obliged, by any means.

I've got half brothers and sisters I've never met - it's the big missing hole in my knowledge of my background and, being honest, it's something that does really niggle away sometimes. All I know are names and that one got himself excluded from school.

If you've got the relationship to let your son know his half-sister, and the chance for them to play together and have a relationship - I'd go for it.

Plus it means they'll owe you the favour if you're ever strapped for one as well!

Pranma ,

You have just made me giggle commenting about having a nose round the house! Do you know, I would be in everything if they wanted me to babysit at their house!!!

Infact, I feel a wicked streak in me coming on already just at the thought of it!!

I will save that for another time!!!