... to think this couple are extracting the urine?

[PreviouslyonLost]

I work mainly part-time, DH works off-shore. Two DC, no family nearby to help out but we manage. Our eldest DC is due to start Primary School and will only be in until noon for several weeks. To accommodate this I have used the majority of my annual leave or ensured that DH is home. Another couple who live locally and whose eldest DC will be starting school at the same time are now dropping heavy hints that we should help them out by collecting and looking after their child (This would be from noon until @5pm/or 3.30pm until @5pm when going in for full-days).

There has been no direct request (yet) but lots of 'it'll all work itself out' and 'we're all in the same boat' type comments . The DW of the couple has also commented to me that they could 'drop off their DC in the mornings' at another neighbour's house - a neighbour that otherwise they do not associate with or even speak to but who is a friend of mine.

The other couple are both Primary School teachers and have been off for the Summer Holidays (47 days) ...... so .... AIBU to think that the week before school term resumes in NOT the time to start thinking about childcare, far less make assumptions that other people should take up the slack?

I need to know what happened, its worse than Who Shot JR.

@ "whos hot JR" :o You just totally dated yourself Al0uiseG :o

Ok, I brought more wine, more biscuits and several more couches. Also brought a flat-screen TV to pass the time. If we're going to camp out waiting for a fantastically empowering solution for POL, let's camp out in comfort.
Crisps, anyone?

"who shot JR" - can't type :o

bump

What's on the flatscreens?

Re runs of Dallas :o

It's going to be a massive let down when we find out that the piss taking couple just hired a different child minder or something similarly dull...

Sits, makes self comfy, passes round chocolate, wine and crisps. Come on OP, we're waiting!

Pom Bear, anyone?

ChaoticAngel, you do know that MN chocolate has no calories?

Al0uiseG, can we please change the channel? The 1970s hairstyles and fake orange tans of the cast of "Dallas" is getting to me. Besides, we all know who shot JR now.

Maybe we should watch some re-runs of "Lost" :o

Im just hoping they didnt turn up at her door at 8.30 this morning........

Do it.....if they pay you.

Childcare arrangements like this only work if there's give and take.

Some people like to take the piss.

Only read the first page of thread. Must go back as plot has clearly thickened.

She definitely did say 9 didn't she???

Hoping they didn't have the gall and that OP has had a good day at work swinging her new found balls.

Tonight is not the night to be doing overtime Op!!!

For busy working parents they do seem to be at a loose end much of the time and hanging round the OP's house. I would hate to have neighbours this intrusive and would probably tell them I like to wind down on an evening and not have lots of visitors.

"ChaoticAngel, you do know that MN chocolate has no calories?"

Of course it doesn't, I completely forgot.

Any news yet?

drums fingers impatiently......

Ha, this is like a situation I have. It's the feeling that NO it is NOT a temporary thing, you will be asking me for literally years and it will end with me being tied to picking up your dc every day because it's easy, and therefore being tied to, well, YOUR timetable.
Anyway, I said no. Felt bad and then felt better having read this thread.

Finally caught up with the whole thread, and I agree with whoever said that you need to start establishing some boundaries in terms of keeping doors/ gates shut- even if it's just at strategic times, when they are likely to turn up/ expect to be able to dump their children on you.

By now they've quite possibly embarked upon The Conversation- but if not, I think you might need to be prepared to launch a quick counter attack. Rather than showing that you expect them to ask for you to do all the child care and having a defence ready, you could respond to the first mention of it by adopting the approach that they are offering to help you out.

OverstayingTheWelcomeNeighbour- "This staggered start to school is a pain isn't it?"

PreviouslyOnLost- " Oh gosh, are you offering to pick up DCofPOL too? Thank you soooo much, that would be soooo kind of you! I am having such a lot of hassle with fitting my work around this, if you can help it would be such a bonus!"

Neighbour "We were going to ask you to pick up our DC as you are going to the school anyway"

POL " Not going to possible, I am really juggling things here as it is. How about if you do the pick ups / afternoon childcare on the first 3 days for both children, and I'll do the last 2 days. Those first 3 days are hugely problematic in terms of my work. Simply cannot afford either the time off or the childminder costs so if you can help me out here that would be great".

It'd take some balls for them to continue to put pressure on you to help them if you come back every time with a comment on the difficulties you are having .

arghghg
i purposefully didn't look for news until after 9.30 to give POL time to update. the suspense is killing me!!!

Am hoping POL's dh didn't cave while she was at work.