To have bathed my niece?

[Glass113]

I babysit my toddler niece regularly as I don't work Fridays and have a daughter around the same age so they play together and generally have a nice time. Niece has never stayed over as SIL doesn't like being away from her overnight.

Yesterday I had my niece and SIL was working later than normal so picked her up about 6:30.

We baked and decorated cakes in the afternoon and naturally both kids had flour, icing and whatever else all over them and in their hair etc so I put them both in the bath and washed their hair. I popped my niece in a pair of my daughters pj's.

When dear SIL arrived I explained they'd got a bit messy so I'd bathed and changed her. She didn't say much and left quite quickly.

I've had a text this morning saying she doesn't want me to babysit again for a while as I've crossed a boundary bathing her child and she would never dream of bathing a child that wasn't hers.

I am mortified and devastated to be honest. Did I really do such a terrible thing?

She sounds like she may have some issues....I don't think you've done anything wrong but there may be a reason for her feeling this way. I would send a message telling her that you're sorry that you upset her, it wasn't your intention. Perhaps ask if there are any other things for you to be aware of that she dislikes as you don't want to cause any problems in yours or your children's relationship. Hopefully this will make her evaluate her reaction and realise that it was rather extreme. You sound like a lovely, helpful aunt x

I thought I'd give an update as so many people have commented.

A bunch of flowers arrived today with a lovely message from SIL apologising. I rang her to say thank you and we've had a good chat and cleared the air.

We did agree that its probably best she puts DN in nursery on a Friday (she already does 2 days) but I'm happy to babysit now and then.

We're going to put it to bed now but thank you to everybody who commented and offered support ❤️

That is a nice update OP, thank you.

Resolved nicely, thanks for the update 💐

That’s good to read thanks for the update OP

Aww I'm so happy to hear that. Really glad it got sorted out!! Excellent outcome. Xxxxx

Thanks for the update. So many people post on MN and never update with how things have ended. Thank you

That's a great outcome and thanks for the update.

Your readiness to accept her apology shows you are a truly good-hearted soul OP.

Glad it's resolved Op.

Excellent news 😊

Glad she’s reached out and cleared the air.

That's great that the air has been cleared. And thanks for updating, its nice to hear the end of the story 🤣😁

I’m pleased she apologised.
what a costly mistake for her now having to pay nursery a couple more hundred £ a month..
I hope things will be ok going forward x

Great update!

👏

Great update. She has realised of her OTT reaction and make amends.

Great news. Glad all sorted.

Thank you for the update. Glad it has been resolved.

because it was part of the fun they had as a group of cousins together.

Now it looks as though this nice relationship between the girls will come to an end, as OP will stop babysitting.
It is fun having good relationships with your cousins of similar age.
Chucking them in the bath together is part of the fun.

Not essential, no. But then most fun things aren't

Just seen you’ve resolved it. I’m glad she’s apologised.
You’re meant to be family. Your children are cousins and bathing is a pretty routine part of caring for young children.
you've been generous with your time and it sounds like you’ve been attentive and loving whilst taking care of your niece.
I think your sister in law is weird and ungrateful and I would be very upset in your position.

That’s great to hear OP, your magnanimous response probably saved a horrible family fall out.👏

If she doesn't trust you then she shouldn't let you babysit her. Yanbu at all.

Ffs the world has gone mad.

You didn’t do anything wrong and you seem like a great auntie too

I'm so glad this has been resolved between you two. Thank you for updating.

Did she say why she overreacted?