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Relationships

Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you need help urgently or expert advice, please see our domestic violence webguide and/or relationships webguide. Many Mumsnetters experiencing domestic abuse have found this thread helpful: Listen up, everybody

Need advice on how to say no to family

29 replies

dorkygirl369 · 12/04/2019 13:51

I have two siblings, both divorced, both with children of their own, the dads aren't really in the picture and it seems to have fallen upon my shoulders to fill in this gap. I have become the support for both, i have given them over a year of constant babysitting and constantly staying over the weekends. My husband hardly sees me and when he does it's because I'm having the children overnight in our home. They trash my house everytime and do not help tidy it up and help themselves to all our food. But if i say no I'm told I'm lazy because I dont work, i dont do anything (this is because I dont drive and can't take all seven of their children on a bus alone) and I'm being selfish because they never get a break.
I've tried making it so certain days every month I will have them so i can have time with my own family but this doesn't work, they initially said this was a great idea but they still just turn up whenever they want, to the point where I lock my door and pretend I'm not home. It's effecting my marriage, my children and well me, I'm always tired from the constant child minding, i do not get money to watch them the majority of the time. I'm so stressed out, I will have 3 days this entire half term with my husband and daughters, the rest is babysitting. But saying no nicely just isn't working and if I just outright refuse it ends up with me getting constant grief from everyone. I dont know what to do anymore.
Should I keep babysitting or deal with a huge family argument?

OP posts:
Chamomileteaplease · 12/04/2019 19:43

When you say they give you grief, what does that mean exactly.

Yes to telling them you won't do it anymore. Lock the door. Don't answer calls. They sound horrible, so I am sure you won't miss them.

Cherrysoup · 12/04/2019 20:08

Pre-empt them dropping off the DC by messaging and telling them no, as a pp said.You can tell them it's adversely affecting your relationship with your DH and own DC. Stop letting them take the piss, OP.

Aussiebean · 12/04/2019 20:41

You don’t have to attend every argument you are invited to.

Tell them you aren’t available for babysitting anymore and they’ll at they will have to either swap or make other arrangements. Then block them, turn off your phone, put it on silent or whatever you need to do to not read their replies.

You don’t need to justify anything.

notapizzaeater · 13/04/2019 11:33

Just keep saying no, they will have to make other arrangements - as to their behaviour whilst at your house, you need to be an adult here and make sure they know it's not acceptable,

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