To ask for her children to play on their side?

[Mrsknackered]

I get on with my neighbour, she's sweet but a bit of a nuisance (and a CF) she asked if today I could watch her 3 children aged 4, 2 and 6 months so that she could paint her living room (well actually she hinted really heavily and I ignored the hints) explaining I would offer but I can't because I've got to clean the house and today is my last day to get an assignment completed. I also end up having her DC way more than I want too because she guilt trips me (she has a mum who has the children often and numerous siblings)

So an hour later, her DC1 knocks and asks if my DS1 can play out. I said that today he's doing reading/tidying/playing in his room as we've had a busy weekend. Off he pops. Back 10 mins later. And then again. I ignore the door the second and third time. THEN her 2 year old comes over and is banging on my door really loudly. MY DC2 is asleep on the sofa and I've just sat down to do my essay. I text neighbour saying 'please don't let X bang on the door I'm trying to do my work and DC2 is asleep'. No reply. Two year old bangs AGAIN shouting the name of my DS2. I can't open the door because I'm trapped, if I open it she'll waddle in and definitely wake him, but neighbour isn't answering my text.

Anyway, this time said 2 year old has banged so loudly that DS2 is now up. And DS1 has come downstairs. I ignore the door. And THEN both of her elder children are standing outside the door chanting my DC's names, by this point I'm gonna lose it. I open the door and say 'NDN please can they play over on your side because quite frankly I'm really busy and it's driving me potty'.

She didn't say anything, called them both over, took them inside and slammed the door.

So, was IBU?

Tell her you’ll report her for neglect if she doesn’t start taking care of her own children! I can’t be arsed with people who palm their kids off on anyone who will take them because they can’t be bothered.

How it is acceptable for anyone to allow their kids to keep bugging someone who has already said they are busy? Fuck that.

I don't think you were harsh enough tbh.

I would have answered the second time and told them in no uncertain terms to stop knocking. You'd already told them once that your child isn't playing out.

She was being a total pain. Asking you to keep an eye on her DC's is quite cheeky as they would need supervision at that age. Sounds like she is neglecting them and just can't be bothered. But I don't think you can insist that they play on their side of the garden. But if they're moving in a month I don't see the point in having a row about this.

She was trying to get you to babysit by stealth.

Absolutely this. She wants the kids to go and play with yours so you have to keep an eye on them rather than her, the cheeky cow!

If they knocked again I'd go with a very angry "Do NOT knock on this door or stand outside my house calling the children's names again. DO YOU UNDERSTAND?" Scare the little buggers into not coming back.