I know loads of people really dislike the term "babysitting" when applied to a parent in sole care of their child whilst the other parent is doing a specific activity. But I don't mind it. I use it loads with DH: "I'll babysit, you pop to the shops". Or "are you ok to babysit if go to Xs for drinks?" etc. I use it in reference to both what I am doing e.g. "I can't, I have to babysit as DH is at X" and to DH "Oh yes, night off, DH is babysitting".
I think it's a concise to way to say, I will be in charge of the kids whilst you go out or you do something where you cannot look after them. Another way of saying "I'm looking after the kids" or "I'm parenting alone".
I think it is different to (or at least a specific part of) "parenting" which is something I do whether the children are in my presence or not and can be done jointly or solely.
Yet I have some friends who take real issue with the term. AIBU to use it?