One of my old school friends recently moved to U.K. for one year for post grad studies with her family. She has two DC 9 and 6. Her husband works elsewhere in UK. Initially I helped out as much I could with settling in, lifts to shops, online payments until her cards came through, meals at my place etc etc. She would frequently call up asking for favours; her mom who was on holiday here to be dropped off to airport etc on a weekday. We both work. I declined.
Most recent is she wants me to babysit her children during the school holidays for a few days that she doesn't have childcare for. Not unreasonable as we don't have family here. She's asked several other friends whose children go to the same school but they refused. There had been some issues with my friend's DDs bullying some of the younger girls.
My problem is this. I have a DD 2 years old and every single time my friends DDs come over they've ignored her completely and refused to engage with her to play. The moment they come in they take out all the toys I mean all the toys, and make an almighty mess. Which is quite ok if they at least let my child join in or tidy up after. They don't. My friend never says anything to rectify this!
I would say I generally like children but I'm really struggling to like these two. I remember playing with my much younger cousins as a child and really enjoying it. I though it was normal. Maybe it's not?
I am free on these days she wants me to babysit but for the above reasons I don't want to. Feel guilty refusing because I understand the difficulties in childcare.
AIBU?