Being used as childcare

[Sonicknuckles]

A parent I know has asked a few times if I can pick up their child from school (child in same class as my ds) and look after them for a few hours.
Whilst I don't mind the occasional ad hoc I am concerned that they might start regularly asking me and I don't want them to rely on me as childcare.
They've offered to pay me but I'm not interested in taking money for it and don't want to be a childminder.
Any suggestions how I can politely get this across if I'm continued to be asked?

Would she do it for you OP? Drop everything to help you? Bet she wouldn't,bet she would have plans and with no hesitation tell you no!Sorry and all that but her child,her problem.I have had this a few times over the years with one saying but you only work part time and you are going home and feeding yours anyway so wheres the harm in mine coming too.....errr no sorry lady it doesnt work like that.I choose what to do with my time,where to go and how to spend it,no one chooses for me! You need to be tough at the school gates,these mums prey on other mums and can sniff out anyone who can enable them to have an easier life.Don;t start it and don;t get involved! Invite who you like back for dinner and play dates thats your choice totally but that is where it ends....your terms! I learned the hard way can you tell?!!

Depends on frequency, once a month or so then it's fine, do they reciprocate?

Your an adult just say NO

I'd just say no. If you start with the excuses this person will continue to ask. You don't owe them anything. If they ask why not I really would try and say 'I don't want to'. This is the only way they will stop asking. Any other excuse and they will try and find a way to work around it, believe me. And please don't get into taking money for it - aside from the legal bit, I think this would open you up to be massively taken advantage of ('yes I was 3 hours late picking DC up, but I'm paying for your time, aren't I?')

I'm at home with my DC and this has happened to me a few times. Every time I feel I can't say no and it becomes more and more regular. I don't intend to get in the situation again. Firstly because once I end it the person always falls out with me as though I have done something wrong which is so cheeky considering I have just looked after their child / children on multiple occasions for free. So what was the point in me doing it? They didn't even appreciate it. Secondly, I am not currently working so I can look after my children, spend time with them and give them lots of attention. If I am also looking after somebody else's children I'm not concentrating on looking after my own. They can't do their homeworks or read to me or go to their activities with other people's kids jumping around the place. It becomes really annoying when you always have an extra 2 or 3 children in the house. They always start whining about your DC or irritating each other. My car doesn't fit extra children and I can't walk safely down the street with 6 so we are stuck in the house. I'm hoping to use 'we're busy that day' from now on. Good luck.

just say... Fuck no! I hate children!

That would work. I'm going to use that Serendipity.

just say... Fuck no! I hate children!

This should be the stick response to all CF requests for free childcare....

...stock response! Damned autocorrect!

Just be an adult. 'No, I'm not available as a childminder.'

If he's offering to pay, i suspect he's looking for a regular arrangement. Nip it in the bud quickly.