School Holiday Childcare Stress

[Rebecca4567]

Hi so I'm just after some advice.

So there is a school Mums what's app group.

One Mum posted info about a playcentre holiday pass and suggested some of us might want to purchase these as you can basically get in anytime you want during the school holidays. (Depending on how busy it is maximum play might be 2 hours).

A couple mums posted that it would be a good idea if the mums working that day dropped their kid/s off at the playcentre while the mums that were off watched the kids. Their ages range from approx 6 months to 8 years.

I wasn't sure what we our plans were for the holidays so didn't reply.

Today one Mum has written down a list / time table of the available mums and she's put me down mon - fri 10-3 every day for the week. I am the only mum who's got all 5 days.

Plus I have my niece and nephews twice a week so I would need to pay for them to get in both days plus lunch. Not that I mind of course it would be entertainment for them guess. I just mean I'll have 4 of my own to supervise plus god knows how many more.

I replied to say I can't do every day and they have said I'm the only one that doesn't work (a couple of the other SAHM's are away that week). BTW I am looking for work I'm not at home now through choice.

I know a couple of the kids in both my daughters classes but some younger siblings won't have a clue who I am. If I see them they're always in the pram. Some aren't even on solids. I've not changed a nappy in years. Some mums are friends of mine but some I just say hi too.

I just think this is a disaster. What if the kids get hurt. I'm having major anxiety.

Mums have replied saying their children are looking forward to it now and they will be upset if they cannot go.

Please give me honest answers. Am I being a spoil sport? Would you do it to help the mums out?

Thanks.

My response would be Haha! Good joke! See you in September, Fuckers! xxx

As the only one that doesn’t work you’re the only one that doesn’t need childcare.

So thanks, but no thanks.

This is one of the weirdest things I have ever heard. Most softplays are max 2 hrs. What are they suggesting you do for the rest of the time? Have you replied? I'd give them hell!

This is bonkers. Why would anyone even want this for their kids?? Surely they'd rather pay for appropriate, professional care?

This plan is hopeless. For example what is meant to happen if you can only stay for 2 hours? What is meant to happen with this rotating zoo?

That's crazy. Well done for your reply. Passive aggressiveness against SAHMs.

Just say no. Reply and say that it doesn’t need work for you, you have other plans and commitments during the holidays.

Also. Why would children want to go to an indoor play centre every single day all day for a whole week. Sounds awful!

Just write back saying you don’t want to be included.

They want you to look after their kids for free so they can keep holidays and earn money. You are included because it suits them, not because it suits you. You have nothing to gain from this.

I'm just waiting for the passive aggressive responses about how the OP has 'dropped them in the shit' and how they now have no childcare for the whole week, 'thanks a lot OP', etc.

However, I'm still thinking this thread has to be a wind-up. Surely no one would really dump their babies with a complete stranger for 5 hours at a time in a boiling hot play centre. I can honestly say that while I know a few CFs, none of them would pull a stunt even close to this!

YANBU at all op!!!!!

This is the cheekiest childcare thread I've ever seen!

My initial reply would have been along the lines of "Hahahahaahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahah"

Absolutely shocking!

I can't understand the problem with saying that you never offered to do it and you won't be there.

Sorry but fuck that!!!

I run a kids club and I'm crb checked and insured up to the eyeballs to be able to do so. Who in their right mind leaves children with someone they don't know???? Bonkers utterly utterly bonkers!!!! Besides our soft play makes sure that when parents leave that they have the children they came with with them. How would these parents drop off, sign their kids in and then leave????

I don't work, I have 3 primary school age kids. I'm happy to look after friends kids here or there if they are desperate but no chance I'd do a full week with even my friends kids!!!!

With this level of cheeky fuckery I bet “rota Mum” is expecting you to pick up and return her little darlings to and from her home, provide spare clothes and launder theirs if they have any accidents, provide complimentary allergen-free and nutritionally balanced lunches and snacks, not to mention giving a constant text commentary how little Amelie and master Rufus are getting on.

You don't need to help them out while they earn money and maintain their career progression. You have sacrificed this to be with YOUR children. Will they help you out when you can't afford a lovely holiday because you were a SAHM looking after their children?

how many "shifts" is rota mum doing? or is the rota her contribution?

"I never offered or agreed to do this" .

I have a small reciprocal arrangement with some mums for mid-terms and snow days.
The difference is that we all take a turn at taking an annual leave day, and we all work so its equally shared. And we have the children in our own homes. We have some SAHM's who come in on play dates but I'd never dream of assuming that because the don't have a job outside the home that they are free (in both time and money) to look after mine!

Rota mom is taking the piss.

Wow! do NOT spend ANY time feeling anxious or worried in any way about this. Just send "that will not work, as we have other plans", job done.
Who on earth would ever sign someone else up for childcare 10-3 without their permission?
MN should make a little badge and do a "CF of the month" prize. These people could win the annual "CF of the year" trophy.

Not a chance. Just say that you aren't going to be there. You never said you would, so why on earth would they assume?

Bloody hell, madness. Complete cheeky fuckery at its finest!
What are you getting out of it? Seems like everyone else is getting free childcare some of the time.

They are being cheeky as fuck

It's a bloody awful idea anyway

Amazing word................... NO

use it.

Id tell them piss off as well - Cheeky Fkers!!!!

"Sounds like this is a childcare swap for parents who are working over the summer. As you posted out, I'm not working so won't be needing any help with childcare. Thanks for thinking of me though! Have a lovely summer break"

Why are they leaving it til this late to arrange childcare anyway?

As a working mum who has had to sort childcare I honestly wouldnt be comfortable with this sort of arrangement anyway, leaving my child in a hot crowded soft play area with a random and ever changing group of parents (some of whom I dont know well).

These women have tried to do one on you Op. being a SAHM doesn’t obligate you to be a free babysitter!