Favours and how to say no!

[fufflebum]

I have two DC one school age and one preschooler. I am a SAHM and DH works away during the week. I would like to work but at the moment am unable to find something that fits in with DC but will keep looking and with DH away have limited back up support as no family live near.

My question is this how do I say 'no' to the favours that other school/preschool mums seem to think it is ok to ask?

Can you drop off my DD at preschool? Can you be my childs emergency contact? Can you collect DD from school etc etc etc?

I appreciate I do not work however the individuals that are asking have family in the area so have others to rely on. Obviously as DH is away most of the week it is down to me!!! I am fairly self sufficient tbh but am started to get annoyed as I feel that I take responsibility for my kids so why can others not seem too!!!!

One person in particular is starting to ask a favour every time I see her and I can see that we are on a slippery slope!

Help me say no......

Just start with saying no for a particular day. If they ask about next thursday.. say 'Sorry we're busy that day'.. and start becoming more 'busy'.
Afterwards hopefully they won't ask as often.

HTH

Yes, just say no. Sometimes it feels like you have to give a reason when you turn someone down ... but you don't. A smile, and a "Sorry, I can't do it" is fine. Or else if it's one individual who you feel is taking advantage, get your request in first

Cheeky fuckers!

Or you could say yes, because when you do start to work, you may find that you have to ask favours of other people, especially if you have no family nearby.

What goes around, comes around.

Hmm difficult ones perhaps you need to start ask

Bugger! Perhaps you should start asking a few favours too? I often do pick ups and drop offs for others and generally speaking when I'm in a jam I feel I. An ask for the favour to be returned. If you feel someone is taking the piss though just say no.

I would try to distinguish between people whom you could happily swap favours with, it can be useful to have a network of people like this, especially if you have no family locally, and people who are taking the p*. Start being unavailable to the latter.