How to respond to CF neighbour

[wtfporoguing]

My neighbour has long had form for being a CF. She has 4 kids and seems to struggle to manage them all at once. I used to be SAHM and helped her out with childcare when she was pregnant. Her youngest is now 2 and I am back at work.

I was working from home today and she saw me coming in. She pounced and asked me if I could take her DS 6 for a bit while she collected her yougest 2 from nursery ( eldest was out with his dad).

I felt put on the spot and reluctantly agreed.Good she replied otherwise I’d probably have to heave him home alone. She complained that her DS whinges too much about being dragged along.

AIBU to think that she needs to take her 6 year old with her? How can I say no to childcare and tell her she cannot leave a 6 year old home alone ( for 30 mins) without damaging mostly cordial neighbourly relations?

You say "sorry , I'm working that doesn't work for me atm "

“Can’t help you” if she asks again. And you can’t really think she’d leave a 6 year old home alone? She’s trying to manipulate you.

I am presuming you are not minding own dc when working from home so: "Sorry can't do a regular as work monitors online working closely. They noticed last time I was on and off accounts when tending to your dc."

I would presume she was joking about leaving 6 year old at home. If not and you notice she does this then you contact SS and report.

Does she work? I'm horrified at the thought of babysitting when I was meant to be working. If he can't behave for her, why would you want to babysit him?

No iv got a conference call/client call/business related call that I need to go get on with inside in 5 mins so can't babysit, sorry.

"No sorry, I'm working from home today"
"No, I've got a work call in 5 mins"
"No sorry, I'm pretty busy at the moment"
"No sorry, 101 things.. you know what it's like"... run

Sorry I'm just nipping in to grab something and heading back out shortly. I think it's best you take him with you as I may be gone when you get back and his too young to be home alone safely.

No, I’m really sorry, I’m working from home today, I’m not on holiday. If I’m not on the laptop for more than a couple of minutes questions will be asked and I won’t be allowed again. I’m really sorry, I’d love to help but can’t

Just a simple no sorry should do it. Other parents have to deal with dragging unwilling kids along why shouldn't she. The only thing to damage neighbour relations is if you should call ss if she does leave him alone at home because she can't be bothered to parent.