Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to not want to watch three random Aussie kids?

47 replies

RandomBabysitting · 30/06/2023 15:57

An acquaintance who is a good friend of a friend will be visiting the local area in September. My friend has helpfully volunteered me to look after her 3 kids when they visit. I know her but we're really more acquaintances than friends. We're from the same area and have worked together but she moved to Queensland almost years ago. They've been planning a big meetup which and I've been kindly volunteered to babysit her kids. I'm happy to babysit for friends sometimes but I don't know these kids beyond the occasional photo.

AIBU to say no to babysitting three random Aussie kids?

OP posts:
Flopsythebunny · 30/06/2023 15:59

What can't you just say no?

Theunamedcat · 30/06/2023 16:00

Pretty sure your busy that day

Original poster
RandomBabysitting · 30/06/2023 16:00

I did but my friend is laying on the guilt trip.

OP posts:
drpet49 · 30/06/2023 16:01

Who the hell does your friend think she is? She has no right to volunteer you to babysit some randomers children.

Why are you allowing yourself to be treated like this?

Daffodil92 · 30/06/2023 16:02

What? This is bonkers. Why wouldn’t you laugh in her face? Don’t even entertain this for a second.

caringcarer · 30/06/2023 16:02

Tell your friend it's rude to volunteer others without their agreement.

UncleHerbie · 30/06/2023 16:02

How rude! Rinse and repeat: no, it doesn’t work for me.

Riverlee · 30/06/2023 16:03

Don’t feel guilty. She’s making it your problem when it isn’t. Just reiterate that you don’t feel comfortable babysitting kids you don’t know, and won’t be doing it.

Notmineagain · 30/06/2023 16:03

You're an adult, so use your voice and say no. No one is forcing you

cocksstrideintheevening · 30/06/2023 16:03

Doesnt matter if they're Aussie, Indian, American, Welsh whatever, someone else can't volunteer you to babysit

ChokeToDeathOnThreePoundsOfMeat · 30/06/2023 16:04

Why can the friend not look after the kids. Or the parent/s look after their own kids?

Heronwatcher · 30/06/2023 16:04

Are you a babysitter? Will you be paid? Did she ask first and you say yes?

If not I seriously can’t imagine why your friend would think this is ok! If anyone had even suggested this to me I would have thought it was a joke!

Why can’t the person with the kids pay someone, if necessary in your friend’s house?

Deadringer · 30/06/2023 16:04

Hell no

cruisecrazy · 30/06/2023 16:04

Does she know you charge £20 per hour?

Daffodildilys · 30/06/2023 16:05

She’s a very cheeky friend. My spidey senses tell me you aren’t going to be very well in September……

BIWI · 30/06/2023 16:05

Just say no! FFS this is why people get away with such cheeky fuckery. Because people don't say no.

Backstreets · 30/06/2023 16:05

You’re watching the kids so they can hang out? Sorry they’re taking them with them

ChokeToDeathOnThreePoundsOfMeat · 30/06/2023 16:05

No, you're busy. Watching TV, working, washing your hair. Whatever. You have plans that involve not watching a stranger's kids. None of their business what. Shame they didn't check first.

Lacucuracha · 30/06/2023 16:06

Please say no. Offering you up is so disrespectful.

If you say yes she will be vindicated.

MsFogi · 30/06/2023 16:06

cocksstrideintheevening · 30/06/2023 16:03

Doesnt matter if they're Aussie, Indian, American, Welsh whatever, someone else can't volunteer you to babysit

Australians do have form for being somewhat 'relaxed' and expecting everyone else to be - all of the ones I know seem to think that I'd be delighted to host random friends of theirs when they are in the country, sometimes for weeks on end (which I decline to do)

rookiemere · 30/06/2023 16:10

Your "friend " sounds like an absolute user.
Message her now " I don't feel comfortable looking after 3 random DCs and I'm surprised you have volunteered me for this. I will not be doing it, so you need to make alternative plans." She's no friend and I wouldn't want her claiming to be such a thing.

maranella · 30/06/2023 16:19

Yeah, that's a bit shit. I have some Aussie friends in London at the moment and it's hard trying to catch up with friends when you've got your exhausted, jet-lagged kids in tow. But you're well within your rights to say no, if this isn't a friend, just an acquaintance, particularly if she's laying on a guilt trip.

AmytheDancingBrick · 30/06/2023 16:20

cruisecrazy · 30/06/2023 16:04

Does she know you charge £20 per hour?

Per child!

pontipinemum · 30/06/2023 16:51

Why did she think it was ok to volunteer you? But if you don't want to do it say no

NowItsLikeSnowAtTheBeach · 30/06/2023 16:54

Why would you feel guilty? You weren't asked; you were 'told'. I'd have laughed and said, no, that wasn't happening.