Babysitting commitment rant...

[Loopylala7]

I expect to be flamed for this, but am a bit peed off. My best friend is getting married in the next month - I'm her bridesmaid. It's been in the calendar for as long as I can remember. PIL told us early on they could not babysit due to another wedding (fine no problem). My parents said they would take our DC (no kids wedding which I really don't have a problem with). This has been in their calendar for about 6 months. It is DH and my first night away together this year. We have already paid for our room and outfits.

DM on phone earlier, Great Nephew is now being christened the day after the wedding apparently. They live a good 5 hour drive away, so will have to leave super early to get there. i.e we will need to pick the kids up by about 7am so they can go. DM feels guilty, and feels she ought to attend.

What rankles is that I know GN's parents are not church goers. DM knows this but has been guilted into going because of her DB. I know I'm being selfish wanting a lie in, but was really looking forward to the wedding and a night away before being back on duty.

And rant over.

Naw, YANBU to want it.

But you can't really be too upset with your mum either. She is watching your kid, she's just asking you to get there a little earlier. Can you have her take DC to the Christening? I can't imagine there being such a thing as a child free christening, and they'll get to meet their cousin.

Yanbu. I would be peed off too.

Haha yes, just say "oooh the dcs would really enjoy a christening and itll be so nice for them to spend some time with their cousins".

Is there a different babysitter you can pay to look after the children either from 7am or for the whole stint?

Our other normal babysitter is the Bride so we can't ask her, plus my parents live quite a distance from both ourselves and the venue. Really miffed, but I could ask parents to take DC to christening, although it would be tough for my youngest to do such a long drive and they'd have to stop for car seat breaks!

I just wish they hadn't committed to us then altered the plan so close to the day. We could have sorted something had we had more time, but now we'd be asking a non-regular babysitter to take a baby and toddler for a day and a half when they don't know each other, sounds a disastrous option!

Yanbu. I think you should ask your mum to reconsider.

Oh dear. Is it possible for your parents to bring the children to the hotel on the morning of the christening, or to meet you somewhere in between the 3 venues, so you get a bit more of a lie-in?

Is your preferred solution that your parents don't go to this christening as an apparent protest against the lack of religious convictions of the parents, but really so that you can have a lie in?

YANBU - so not fair!
i would be so miffed.

could your parents go down the night before with your children and stay with her DB?

It's not your mums fault she's trying to keep everyone happy. For gods sake don't make a baby and toddler do a 10hour road trip so you can have a lie in. It'll be a nightmare for them all.

Is there any chance anyone you know can have them from 7am for a few hours, maybe one of your mums friends would come to their house? My mum/mil friends would really enjoy this.

Yanbu, it is your Mum's fault. She should say no as she has already made a commitment.

Can you ask if there are any local childminders who would like say £50 to pick him up at 7am and look after him till 1pm?

Your poor mother can't win, can she?

Yanbu to be cheesed off but DM is stuck.

Is it possible for your parents to bring the children to the hotel on the morning of the christening, or to meet you somewhere in between the 3 venues, so you get a bit more of a lie-in?

This.

No help, but I'm surprised your DM wasn't leaping at an excuse NOT to drive 5 hours for a christening!

The thought of doing that journey to go on holiday for a week is bad enough.....