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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

wibu to think I had been invited to the party?

117 replies

andpeakaboo · 18/05/2016 09:58

I often babysit for a lovely family. On Tuesday I was asked if I was busy Saturday because they were having a 60's themed party for the dads 50th birthday starting at 6PM. I said I was free and the mum said 'great see you then'

Saturday comes, I spend ages doing my hair and make up in 60s style and had trawlled charity shops for suitable clothed.

I turned up at the house at 6.20PM as I didn't think they'd want everyone turning up bang on 6PM.

I was greeted at the door by a very flustered mum and she said 'thank God we thought you weren't coming' and both parents flew out the door and got in their car.

It suddenly dawned on me that I'd not been invited and was actually babysitting!! I was mortified. When the parents rolled in at 1am the dad clocked I was in 60's gear and said 'you knew you were babysitting, right?' I was so embarrassed I said 'yeah of course, I thought it'd be fun to do 60s things with the kid's

Wibu to presume I was invited?

OP posts:
ExasperatedAlmostAlways · 18/05/2016 11:38

Hahahaha, sorry op is this for real? I'd of presumed I was babysitting since I was the babysitter and not a friend. Sorry. But strange them not taking the kids though for even a shirt time.

exWifebeginsat40 · 18/05/2016 11:42

this is exactly the sort of thing I would do. the horror.

the HORROR.

TheKingSits · 18/05/2016 11:43

This has happened to me before more than once. I was 'invited' to the christening of the baby in the family was a nanny for. Turns out I was supposed to be looking after the masses of kids there. It wasn't easy in a party dress and heels.

The same thing happened when I was asked to the annual New Year's party of the family I was a cleaner/nanny for. I was actually there to serve canapés and drinks at their posh party!

I obviously misunderstand things a lot! Blush

Ifionlyknewthenwhatiknownow3 · 18/05/2016 11:44

Yes, hurry up 'the Mum', we're waiting. It was simply a misunderstanding, it happens.

AnchorDownDeepBreath · 18/05/2016 11:48

I'm surprised they didn't at least comment on why you were 20 minutes late... It makes sense to arrive a bit late to a party perhaps but not to a job!

I think you're rumbled.

Original poster
andpeakaboo · 18/05/2016 11:54

They did comment on me being late. I said so in my first post.

Unfortunately this is 100% true! The house is down an alleyway with parking behind. I walked hence not noticing lack of cars.

OP posts:
imwithspud · 18/05/2016 11:56

Oh goshBlushGrin

I can imagine myself doing this sort of thing. In your defence they didn't exactly make it clear that they wanted you to babysit. I bet they're feeling just as embarrassed as you!

Original poster
andpeakaboo · 18/05/2016 11:58

Present had been given on the Tuesday which was his actual birthday. I babysat that night whilst mum and dad went for a meal.

As I said, they opened door, said they thought I wasn't coming and left straight away. We literally passed on the front door step.

OP posts:
MrsEricBana · 18/05/2016 11:58

Ah well you'll just have to wear it every time you go there now.

FamousSeamus · 18/05/2016 12:01

If I asked whether our regular babysitter was 'free' on a certain night, it would be shorthand for ' are you free to babysit?', rather than 'are you free to come to our party?' I wouldn't ever use 'are you free?' to someone I was inviting to a social event, only to someone who was potentially providing a service. If I were inviting, I'd be saying 'Would you like to come to a party we're having for X?'

I agree, though that in the OP's position, the fact that she does also socialise with the people for whom she babysits muddies the waters between 'party invitee' and 'babysitter'.

Though it is also reminding me slightly of the bit in Legally Blonde when the preppy Harvard bitches pretend their party is fancy dress and Elle shows up in a pink Bunny Girl costume to find everyone else in navy neutrals and pearls. Grin

DailyMailFodder · 18/05/2016 12:11

Are you the same sort of age as the people you babysit for?

If not it seems odd giving a present to the Dad. Confused

Sorry if that sounds troll hunter'y but I'm trying to get a grasp of your relationship with 'the parents'. Are you friends or are you the babysitter?

If you are the same age I can't see how pitching up in that outfit wasn't EXTREMELY noticible. Unless they had their eyes closed I can't picture how it's possible that they wouldn't have said something.

FeralBeryl · 18/05/2016 12:12

I keep imagining you dressed like an Austin Powers extra Grin
Defo dress up next time-a different decade each time, do 20's flapper girl next evening.

donajimena · 18/05/2016 12:17

Love this thread..

Original poster
andpeakaboo · 18/05/2016 12:18

I'm same age as the mum, who is younger than dad. We used to work together and my niece is in same class as one of the children. They throw casual dinner parties at home every couple months and I am always invited. Kids are always there too. I presumed the party was a similar event but we were dressing up.

I went to the mums big number birthday last year.

OP posts:
DailyMailFodder · 18/05/2016 12:25

Ok, that makes more sense about the presents and the invite confusion if you are a similar ages and are friends apart from the fact they didn't comment on your VERY, VERY, VERY, very obvious costume?????

Shock
KERALA1 · 18/05/2016 12:27

I did a similar thing I still cringe.

When pregnant with pfb I had to have a non baby related scan. Went to the scan place, put on the backless gown, job done. A few weeks later went with Dh for 12 week pregnancy scan. Breezily stripped off, put on backless gown, confident done this all before. Didn't clock that the other pregnant women in normal clothes whilst I had was fully geared up. When it was our turn the radiographer asked why I was in a gown. I panicked and said I just wanted to wear one. God it was embarrassing!

AlpacaPicnic · 18/05/2016 12:32

Oh bless your swinging heart op!
I haven't done anything like this, although it was my literal worst nightmare as a teen - these days I would brazen it out with a laugh!
I did once turn up to babysit pissed as a newt though Blush

Tragicomical · 18/05/2016 12:36

Omg kerala I have done exactly the same! I have mri scans every year and often would have to wear a gown.

I went the one time with my then boyfriend of 3 months and wore a gown etc. They did wonder why I was in one and then I realised I'd been sat in a waiting room full of people fully clothed and all I had needed to do was take off my bra! 😂😂

Boyfriend thought it was hysterical , married me 6 months later though 😃

PalaceGirl · 18/05/2016 12:57

You poor thing... but very funny!

beckythemasterbaker · 18/05/2016 13:05

This made me laugh Grin

MrMainwaringsWife · 18/05/2016 13:22

So funny
Go in Victorian gear next time , totally confuse them

What are you going to say in the playground ?

Queenbean · 18/05/2016 13:25

So funny, really enjoyed the hospital gown "I just fancied wearing it"

AdjustableWench · 18/05/2016 14:45

This is exactly the sort of thing I would do, and indeed have done; and I would share the details if I hadn't completely repressed them.

I do think they should have told you explicitly that they wanted you to babysit. And actually they're the ones who should be embarrassed. But you should definitely do all your future babysitting in period costume!

LonnyVonnyWilsonFrickett · 18/05/2016 14:49

Oh my toes are curling so hard! You poor thing you!

Next time you babysit, you have to go in 70s clothes of course, then 80s, then 90s, complete with a playlist 'for the kids'.

Beepbopboop · 18/05/2016 16:39

Grin I can see why you thought you were invited.
How old are the children? I would have assumed they were going to their fathers birthday party. Hmm