Not to help a friend

[NameChange1021]

I have a mum friend. We see each other with the kids once a week, or less.

I have looked after her child a few times. I helped out on a few occasions and then, when I felt I'd done a favour for her but didn't want it to be a regular thing I just made excuses and she stopped asking.

She's now asked me to have her DS for a whole day this week. My DS1&2 will be at school so I would otherwise be having a child-free day (I work 4 days a week and this would be on my day off). Am I just being unkind in wanting to say no? Should I help a mate out?

I've never asked her to look after my DS at all.

No way, asking another mum for childcare when they don't have their own kids is for a total emergency only.

No way. Say yes and you're opening the door to regular requests to babysit. Her childcare issues are her problem, not yours.

I do this for friends and family occasionally, it's for people i know would reciprocate and that only ask occasionally and don't expect a yes.
I also work 4 days so have the one day off and, generally this is in the holidays so my kids are at home at the same time but I've given up my precious day off from time to time. I'd be very wary of someone i thought might take the piss.

I would do it for a good friend who has helped me out in return in the past. But you would certainly not be unreasonable to say no OP! That is a very big ask.

Like others have said, if it was for an emergency I would but not for work. You really don't want to end up as her default childcare and it sounds like you have done it a fair bit in the past already. I would not want to give up a valuable day off to look after someone else's child. Does she really have no proper childcare or father of the child or GPS or is it just easier for her to ask you?