AIBU to think sort out your own childcare!

[FrankWelker]

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!)

The cheek of some people never ceases to astound me. The fact that they never even offer any money, just expect it for free.

I also give them the option of pulling out twice a year by asking them if they are happy to continue.

How nice of you.. What if they want to pull out at another time of year, is that just not allowed?

I was just coming here to say 'just caught up on yesterday's Woman's Hour where they were discussing this. Coincidence? I think not

AgentPineapple - Of course they can pull out anytime they want but I actually ask them outright if they want to continue.

Don't pull a face at me

To side track a little - this is very much along the same lines. When being a SAHM or working from home and people expecting you to be able to run errands for them.

I sometimes get my neighbour (the nice one, both elderly and disabled) a paper and light shopping; bread and milk etc. on my way home from doing the school run. I go into them most days anyway so its not extra effort on my part but because I do that for my neighbour maybe once or twice a week I get asked to - drop parcels off at the post office, pay bills, look after newly acquired puppies often with the 'we'll you're at home all day...' and those who show up expecting to be entertained because you are home and they can't find something to do

It drives me potty.

Just wondered from the way you explained it specky face wasn't at you.

Wow! 6.15 am! She is seriously taking the PI**.
I am a working mum but I would never, ever ask or expect another mum to do that for me. She needs to sort out paid childcare for her kids in advance!

Love the asshole tax for the 615am call

I work school hours and have had this a few times because surely I love kids if I do my job... yes, I don't mind them but term time weekdays I am surrounded by other people's kids so in the holidays, guess what, I wouldn't mind a rest from them and some good times with my own children. Selfish and unreasonable apparently...

Squidgey: they'll try any angle though ... you have kids, you must love having more over. The truth is I do actually but only when it suits us and we've invited them or if someone is really in a pinch (eg their mum has just been hospitalised). Not for when they couldn't be bothered organizing (rare) or clearly don't want to pay for care (more common).

YANBU

I arrange childcare swops with friends and would help out a friend if I knew in advance or in case if emergency, as I know friends would help me. But 'forgetting' is not an emergency. What message is she (or they, if there is another parent involved) teaching her kids?!

"No, sorry I can't help. We've already got plans" is the firm answer I would use - but I may not manage to be that polite at 6.15 am!!!!