To ask how to reply to this text?

[MissEliza]

Dh and I have been good friends with a couple, we'll call Mary and John, for 7i or 8 years. Since the beginning of last year, it feels like John and Mary ghosted us and the rest of our friendship circle. They have turned down every invitation as a couple or simply not shown up without explanation and John has made an excuse every time dh has invited him for a pint. Over that time, the only time Mary has got in touch is to ask if my oldest dc can babysit their dcs, maybe four or five times. The last time was in October and we've had no contact with then since. We didn't even get a Christmas card and I've noticed John trying to avoid me in the street more than once!!
Today I received a message from Mary on my WhatsApp but addressed to my dc. It said like 'Sam (my dc) would you be able to babysit for us next Friday?' She has to know it's my phone number as the profile has my picture! AIBU to think when we've barely spoken to them in over a year and it's actually my phone she should really be saying 'Hi Eliza could you ask Sam if she would babysit for us'? Tbh Sam doesn't even want the babysitting money. The other times she did it, we persuaded her to help Mary and John out as it's very difficult to find babysitters. Right now I feel like if she can't talk to us, why should we do her a 'favour'.
How should I reply?

[IUsedToKnowThat]

I wouldn’t send my daughter to their home - the way they have treated you gives me the eeby jeebies. I would answer, Hi, she’s not available, Eliza

[buckeejit]

Well in that case Mary & John are CFs of the highest order ' you should go with the 'only for close friends' text. I'd pay dd not to babysit for them!

But also add in a 'hope you're well - just checking that you know this is my number as you didn't address or acknowledge me at all. Anyway, we're all good in case you were wondering'

[VeeJayBee]

If you’re bothered about the friendship and concerned what might be going on with them, why don’t you just ask? No harm? You could just say, sorry Sam can’t babysit. Are you guys ok? You’ve not seemed yourselves for months and we’re worried about you. Let me know if you’d like to talk.” And leave it at that. You never know, they might have problems you don’t know about. If she’s vague or off with you, well you’ve tried and done all you can. But at least you’d have remained kind, polite and thoughtful and tried to sort out the problem and reached out to them if they’re not ok x

[Aderyn19]

So many people just put up with bad manners
It's incredibly rude to contact the OPs dd in this way, using OPs number and not acknowledging her in any way. And that's before you get to the behaviour of just not turning up when expected.
She wouldn't have received a polite response from me!

[MadMadaMim]

Maybe people are replying in this way because you only give the actual full story on page 7.

People reply in response to info they are given.

[Madamum18]

This will niggle away until you ask her directly why things are as they are! Just ring her/pop round (or text if you dont want to speak and say that you get the feeling that she/they are avoiding you and are wondering why! Take it from there.

[msgreen]

Is there a chance he or she had an affair with
Anyone in your circle?
Maybe not you but everyone they are blanking ,
Nought so strange as folk,,,,
Don’t take it personally, the babysitter thing is another thing.
Are they embarrassed about something?
People often withdraw from their friends when they aren’t coping .

[theendoftheendoftheend]

Honestly I'd just ignore it

[KateW73]

"Who is this?"

Best suggestion so far.

[Sparklynails7]

@MissEliza so they ditched you when they found a "better offer"? I hate people that only come crawling back when they need something. Next time they ask say: "Sorry, Sam's found a better offer." You shouldn't let these snobs walk all over you because they'll keep treating you like dirt. Explain this to your daughter too xx

[Happyher]

Let DD decide if she wants to babysit (as you are doing). You can then decide if you can just let this friendship go. If yes fine, just forget about them as friends. If you value the friendship then speak to them. There may be a reason. Maybe financial problems, maybe one had an affair, illness etc

[Skittlesss]

That’s a bit of a drip feed!

Just ignore them then.

[SunshineCake]

Did you just want lost of replies as everything you have just said should have been in your OP?

[OhCaptain]

Yeah that’s a pretty relevant drip feed 8 pages in!

[AfterSchoolWorry]

I think you're mad to have convinced Sam to babysit last time for this user. That just teaches the child to be a mug. I also wouldn't have passed the message on this time and would have blocked Mary long ago.

[Jux]

I'd reply asking why John is always running away from you in the street with a big laughing emoji. Then she can decide whether you're joking or not for herself, and reply accordingly. With luck she'll be so embarrassed that she'll make John deliberately seek you out next time, and you can get to the bottom of it.

[Arthritica]

Wow, quite the drip feed!

In which case, bin them, OP