School Holiday Help

[AngryAndLost]

AIBU in refusing to look after my friend's DD during school holidays? I run my own business, have a 3year old and 10month old so have enough on my plate as it is. Still, friend of mine asks me EVERY school holiday to help with the child care. My friend works part-time over 4 days, she has another child (17year old), who could look after younger sibling, yet, it is always me who she turns to in crisis! My friend has a husband also, but "it is not worthwhile for him to take day off as he is self-employed builder". This week I am refusing to look after my friend's child, although, giving silly excuses or not answering her calls. At the same time. I feel a bit guilty.

Not that it's any of her business, but if you work from home, what do you do with your two children whilst you work and use that to explain to her.

If you work around their naps, say that, 'it's hard enough working around my two napping let alone another child'.

If you have childcare of your own-then it's pretty obvious you don't want to offer free childcare to someone else when you've paid for childcare for your own.

etc etc

If she's really a friend, can you actually discuss this with her? Maybe not now, but in the run-up to the next school holidays? Gently remind her that they are coming up, be firm that no, you will not be able to do childcare (point out that she has asked you EVERY holiday in the past x years) and ask her what she is going to put in place this time.

I have 2 DC that I struggle with childcare can I pop them in.

Raspberry, that was very considerate of them. Bit of the opposite here and starting to think it's something my city must do to people

I didn't realise at the time how considerate they were. And there was a downside in that often DD missed out on some of the social interaction the rest had. But I treasured my holiday time with the DC.