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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to think sort out your own childcare!

211 replies

FrankWelker · 01/06/2016 06:37

Half- term and I am using annual leave to look after DC. So far this week I have had 5 phone calls from 2 different parents who ( unfortunately) know I'm off to see if I can have their kids from 7.30-6.40 pm. I'm perfectly happy to help out in an emergency but both parents have said they forgot it was half term. The same ones who forgot the Easter holidays were for 3 weeks. As I said I will always try and help if someone is in a tight spot but am I being unreasonable with this? I don't particularly want to wake up for 7.30 am on my time off and when I do would rather do play dates with kids who my children want to see- and these kids aren't even my kids ages that
they can play easily. We get the school term dates well in advance! Does anyone else get this (and get hacked off like me!)

OP posts:
MrsKoala · 01/06/2016 07:08

My sister gets this because she works nights. Some of her friends who swapped from nights to days (for more money) now expect her to have their kids while she is meant to be sleeping. She has older dc who are able to entertain themselves and she lives with her mum so she also keeps an eye on them, but if she has the friends younger kids she has to be awake all day then go to work again in the evening. She gets texts saying 'Which 3 days this week are you going to have x'. It's outrageous.

londonrach · 01/06/2016 07:11

Wow 6.15am how on earth did that mother think ringing at 6.15am would make you even consider looking after her children. For everyone unless its an a&e visit for mum or similar say no unless you want to look after the children.

carabos · 01/06/2016 07:14

I'm afraid I wouldn't have allowed the conversation to proceed to the point where we were discussing childcare.

mimishimmi · 01/06/2016 07:19

Sounds like she wanted to catch you whilst still half asleep no?

blueturtle6 · 01/06/2016 07:29

You are more polite than id have been at 6:15!!! I hope she apologises, if not call her on a Sunday at them same time

Only1scoop · 01/06/2016 07:32

No way

She's one of life's takers

6.15 I would be fuming

TTwidow · 01/06/2016 07:36

How cheeky! I bet she hadn't forgotten at all about the holidays. Who would when kids are always asking how many days to go?

YANBU. You are a SAHM not a childminder.

TTwidow · 01/06/2016 07:37

Oops .... Sorry meant to stay you re on holiday, not a childminder.

EarthboundMisfit · 01/06/2016 07:39

I've been there, and all but lost a friendship over it. YANBU.

TellMeDani · 01/06/2016 07:50

YADNBU! I've been caught in like this, the day was a disaster and I was run ragged.

The person in question thought that it would be ok to call 2 weeks before half term and leave a voice mail asking if I could have her DD, after she had asked there was a pause and then a very unenthusiastic 'and er...yer, it would be nice to catch up with you too'.

I feel sorry for the kids tbh, being dumped on the nearest and cheapest available person, the above freind has form for this so I think that's why I helped out the first time as I felt sorry for the child.

ElspethFlashman · 01/06/2016 07:54

This is shocking. mrskoala what does your sister do when she gets jumped on like that? She doesn't take them surely?

PhoenixReisling · 01/06/2016 07:55

What a cheeky mare....more brass neck than a giraffe 👺

Next time you are asked say you would do it and then charge her X >insert insane amount here

mrsmortis · 01/06/2016 07:55

YANBU.

I reckon that the correct response is: Of course I can. My hourly rate is fifteen pounds an hour.

WhatchaMaCalllit · 01/06/2016 07:57

Un-friggin-real!

Even at a push if I was in a dire situation I would never ever ever consider phoning anyone (even a relative) at 6:15am in relation to childcare requirements.

O. M. G!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Here - have a big strong cup of coffee Brew to help you get through the day.

DoesMyMarthaCliffLookBigInThis · 01/06/2016 07:59

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

SocksRock · 01/06/2016 08:03

That is outrageous! Mine go to holiday clubs, which we save up for via childcare vouchers all year round. I've already booked the summer holiday ones! People have offered to help out, but I generally refuse unless I have no possible alternative as I don't like to take advantage like that.

whois · 01/06/2016 08:07

She phoned at 6.15?? WTF. In one way at least that was so unreasonable that you were able to loose your shit in a totally justified way :-?

AngryCrispLady · 01/06/2016 08:10

"Yes I will take your child. It costs [amount more than camp plus asshole tax for 615 call]"

Shakey15000 · 01/06/2016 08:14

Ye gads I'd be livid. We have a friend of DS's mum who we ask to pick DS up from school and have at hers for an hour if it clashes with a hospital appointment for DH, but yours takes the Biscuit

jay55 · 01/06/2016 08:15

If someone calls me at 6.15 in the morning someone better have died or won the lotto.

Cagliostro · 01/06/2016 08:17
Shock

How does one forget half term Confused

LIZS · 01/06/2016 08:26

If you were to agree to have their dc would they reciprocate , for no reward? I suspect not. 6:15 is antisocial unless an absolute emergency. What's the betting dc have said they don't want to go to a club today and have been offered yours instead!

HidingUnderARock · 01/06/2016 08:27

I think its important that you call her back at 2:15 am to discuss the situation.

sandgrown · 01/06/2016 08:33

When I was a single parent years ago I would sometimes have a last minute panic who was having the kids ( could not afford holiday clubs for more than two weeks) Family helped but they were 70 miles away. Close friends did help but when I took leave I reciprocated by having their children. It seemed to work ok. I have never forgotten how these friends helped me at a very difficult time when DH left.

AugustaFinkNottle · 01/06/2016 08:35

I bet they didn't forget it was a Bank Holiday on Monday, and surely any parent knows perfectly well that summer half term will always be the Bank Holiday week. I suspect the 6.15 call was an attempt to bounce you into it because she hoped you'd feel guilt-tripped by the fact that she'd have difficulty finding anywhere else at the last minute.