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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Strange babysitting request

71 replies

Maisy84 · 13/01/2017 20:55

My dh is currently away on business and my downstairs neighbours have asked me to babysit by having a monitor in my flat linked to their babies room in their flat (technically we're in the same house) as it's a big Georgian house divided into flats. I just don't feel it's safe for a number of reasons, firstly if there was a fire or smoke or a quiet intruder downstairs how would I know? Secondly if their son does wake up (they assure me he won't) I'd have to go downstairs and leave my child unattended - he's six years old and would be in bed but quite often wakes up for the toilet or bad dreams - and then what if I locked myself out or something. I've said no but feel they are a bit shocked as it wouldn't really inconvenience me, I'm happy to babysit when my dh returns and I can be in the same flat as the baby! They are both very hipster and have made it clear they think I'm being over-anxious, am I!??

OP posts:
MoonShapedPool · 13/01/2017 20:57

Erm no. YANBU

glueandstick · 13/01/2017 20:58

You really aren't. I'm a very relaxed parent but I wouldn't do it.

PastysPrincess · 13/01/2017 20:58

Not you are quite right. Smacks of Madeline Mccan to me.

NavyandWhite · 13/01/2017 20:58

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Etihad · 13/01/2017 20:58

I wouldn't be at all happy doing that. You are most definitely not being over-anxious.

DeathStare · 13/01/2017 20:58

Errr...... no. I wouldn't do that either.

Could you offer to let them bring the baby to your flat if they have a travel cot?

MiniEggAddiction · 13/01/2017 20:58

I don't think YABU, I wouldn't be prepared to leave my child asleep in my flat to go downstairs. I know some people do it and I wouldn't judge but wouldn't go for it myself.

ZigZagIntoTheBlue · 13/01/2017 20:59

My friend dies this frequently with her neighbour, they have a key and she gives them a video monitor screen to check but I'd feel the same as you, I'd want to be there just in case. It's personal preference, don't worry what they think. How awful would it be if you agreed and something did happen!

Aworldofmyown · 13/01/2017 21:00

Erm no - why can't the baby come up to your flat?

Evergreen777 · 13/01/2017 21:01

I used to have my neighbour babysit in a similar situation. Assuming they have a smoke alarm you'd hear if there was a fire. And you'd hear an intruder too I would think. Bit tricky if you have to leave your 6 year old to attend the baby. But not really different from putting out the bins. Don't lock your door!!

Or if the baby is small could they bring him round to yours to sleep in a carrycot or similar?

traviata · 13/01/2017 21:01

I agree - YANBU.

But what if they brought their baby up to yours in a travel cot? Could that work?

Libbyblue · 13/01/2017 21:01

Literally the most relaxed parent ever. Still no.

And I'm the person who always says it's ok to leave kids for a while or in cars whilst you're in the shop.

What if the baby gets upset and you have to stay down there for a while. Or there's a power cut and then monitor doesn't work?

traviata · 13/01/2017 21:02

loads of x posts Smile

AmeliaJack · 13/01/2017 21:02

Nope you are quite right. By taking the monitor you be assuming responsibility for a child you aren't actually in a position to take care of.

What happens if their child takes ill, has a nightmare etc.

What if he gets up quietly and wanders round the flat scared because he can't find his parents?

Lou2711 · 13/01/2017 21:03

Yanbu. If anything was to go wrong you'd feel awful. Better safe than sorry Smile

traviata · 13/01/2017 21:03

amelia their child is a baby?

notsurehowtodothis · 13/01/2017 21:04

F*ck no, this is awful. YANBU!

monkeywrench · 13/01/2017 21:07

In the summer I was at a thing in our village watching the football, so early evening, and some people I knew where there with only the elder (5 or so) of their 2 kids, I asked where the other one was (2 or something) and HE WAS AT HOME ALONE!!!! I was like Shock Shock Shock Shock but apparently it was OK because they had an app on their phone..... Hmm their house was approx 3 mins walk away, over a fairly busy road........ I am not in the UK btw, not that it makes any difference....

YANBU

JennyOnAPlate · 13/01/2017 21:08

I'm also a very relaxed parent but fuck no!

Charley50 · 13/01/2017 21:08

I did this once for my downstairs Neighbour. I could hear her baby crying so I went downstairs. He was fast asleep. Went back up. Could hear him crying. Went downstairs he was still fast asleep. The monitor had tuned into another baby!! whose parents let cry all night so if my neighbour's baby had woken up I wouldn't even have heard him. Yikes!

DanGleballs · 13/01/2017 21:10

I'm so laid back I'm almost falling over but would still want the child in my property if I was babysitting.

Original poster
Maisy84 · 13/01/2017 21:12

I've actually got a travel cot so will text and see if they want to put him down in our bedroom. Not really sure why I didn't think of that, was too busy imagining a load of nightmare senarious!

OP posts:
Bue · 13/01/2017 21:20

We've done this for short periods of time with our neighbours. But we live in a rural area on an island where nothing ever happens! And I wouldn't do it for a whole evening. Travel cot in your flat sounds a sensible solution.

Original poster
Maisy84 · 13/01/2017 21:20

They just replied and said our upstairs neighbour is doing it from his flat, ah well at least I offered! Confused

OP posts:
Earlgreywithmilk · 13/01/2017 21:20

I don't necessarily think it's awful I can understand 'hipster parents' logic but I would've just said "I'm happy to watch the baby in my own flat (maybe in a Moses basket) or in your flat when my dh is here" - that way they know your not point blank refusing to sit for them.
Stop making out the hipsters are terrible parents!

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