AIBU to be utterly upset with my sons friend/neighbour?

[parry45]

So my sons best friend lives across the road from us. His mum works different hours, and quite often( maybe 2-3 times a week) he stays with us for an hour or 2 whilst she goes to work. Never a problem as he keeps my son occupied and they enjoy playing together. I even offered to pick him up from school any day as sometimes she's stuck and I'm picking my children up anyway. So....today she has shouted at my son as he knocked on the door to call for the friend at 12.30 this afternoon and she was sleeping. She has now said that he is not allowed to knock for friend anymore as his times are the wrong times and he's not even allowed in the garden. They went out, I looked over and yes...he was waiting outside the garden gate!. Aibu to be so annoyed about this to the point I feel I need to say something given the amount of time i have her son for her? He's around our house every day after school and like I said I also look after him too. My son is upset as he is confused by the whole thing and thinks he's done something wrong?

[Ginmummy1]

Good on you for having a conversation with her, but I'm not clear how it lies at the moment. Have you told her that you're no longer able to offer free childcare while she's at work?

All that seems to come out of the conversation is that your son is now less able to call on her son, yet I haven't heard anything to suggest that the 'arrangement' has changed?

Obviously the boys are friends and you are happy to have her son round, but perhaps now it's time to offer just to have him round when she's next door? Perhaps give a reason such as the fact that you wouldn't want to be 'responsible' for him while his parents are unavailable in the event of a crisis, as you don't have any employment relationship with her.

Perhaps then offer to change the arrangement so you are 'responsible', perhaps at the rate of £10 per hour (plus the cost of feeding him).

This would seem entirely reasonable!

[KindDogsTail]

Well done.

It's not you it's her.

It will be interesting to see if she still dares ask you to look after her son!

[SquinkiesRule]

Silly woman she's burning bridges isn't she. I wouldn't babysit any more, I'd also stop saying yes when the child wants to stay. The boys can play outside only and my Ds wouldn't be allowed to go over there again, if kid wants to play he can come knock at yours and outdoors with no meals.

[rollonthesummer]

Will you still be having her child over? I wouldn't.

[Mistletoekids]

Good for you!

From now on I would have him over but
-no more pick ups
-send him home for mealtimes

[CorkieD]

I'm sorry you have had to deal with such an ungrateful and selfish neightbour, parry45.

However, I can only marvel at her stupidity for treating you in such a fashion when she really was on to such a good thing with free childcare etc.