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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

I'm the babysitter, the dads been massively inappropriate

277 replies

babysittingNC · 13/08/2021 20:14

Have NC for this just incase it gets picked up.
This is long so I'll summarise incase you're in a rush. The short story is:
I babysit for an affluent family, the dad tried to get me to meet him at a hotel. Wtf do I do?

The long story:
I started to babysit for a new family about 3/4 months ago, since things started to open back up. The mum is lovely and so are the kids, it's a really easy sit and I charge them extra because they're far from me and I'm qualified and experienced and they can afford it. Basically it's a nice little job for me around uni. I tend to communicate with the mum, she'll text me to arrange dates and times etc.

The last time I was here the dad gave me his number and asked that I call him so he has my number just incase I can't get hold of the mum for any reason. Makes total sense, I've done the same with other families too, better to be safe etc.

Then this last time I was there, I arrived on time but the mum was still getting ready and the children were already in bed so I was sat just waiting for them to leave really . The dad came and sat down and was chatting with me, initially it felt normal we were just small talking about the place they were going etc. Then he started to ask more personal questions about me, about my work, study, boyfriend, home etc. It wasn't that weird on paper, but I got weird vibes. It felt odd that he cared so much to ask, if you understand?

Anyway, I did the sit and they came home, the mum was drunk and went straight upstairs and I told the dad that the children had been fine, bla bla all normal stuff. Then he went to hand me the cash, but when I went to take it and say thanks he kept hold of it and gave me a LOOK. A really intense look. It's like he thought this was an intense sexual moment like he was on a film or something? I looked at him like 'eh?' And he laughed and handed the money. It was awkward and strange. I left and he said he'd be in touch. Also weird, because only the mum texts me to arrange sits.

Anyway. Next day I get a text from him in the evening saying 'hiya, you ok?' So immediately I show my boyfriend and told him about the weird feeling I got the night before and he laughed and said omg this is the beginning of a porn film!!! He thinks it's funny! So I replied professionally saying 'hi (name), yes I'm well thank you. Is everything ok?' And he responds just casually as if we're friends chatting. I didn't really reply properly, but I didn't ignore him because I babysit for them! I don't want to be rude or make it weird because I need the money. After about 10 messages getting increasingly flirty he outright asked me to meet him at a hotel about 45 mins away. I've just ignored it. I feel sick.

She is such a lovely mummy, she's beautiful, they have gorgeous (young!) children, a lovely home. He's locally quite well known because of his job, if people found out about this it wouldn't only hurt his family but also his career.

Should I just block his number and tell her I'm not available for babysitting anymore? (Think this is my preferred option)

I obviously can't continue to babysit for them.
Do I tell her? I feel like I'll ruin her life and don't really want to be responsible for that. I also don't need the drama.

OP posts:
Somuddled · 13/08/2021 21:57

@babysittingNC

Also, I haven't done anything to insight this. I have a degree and 9 years experience working with children and families. I'm nothing but professional.

I don't go dressed inappropriately. Usually hair up, no makeup, leggings and a big top! Appropriate clothes for messy childcare duties.

While I feel so angry on your behalf for the way this horrid man is behaving, I am surprised by this psot of yours. Even if you turned up in a skin tight mini dress with boobs galore your employer should not be propositioning you.
Echobelly · 13/08/2021 21:59

Yeah, I'd send messages with something like 'I'm so sorry, I can't continue to work with your lovely kids anymore as your husband's messages have made me very uncomfortable. I apologise for having to send these to you but I couldn't walk away without saying why and to make it clear I did not encourage this attention from him', or words to that affect. And I think the suggestion to say you will be blocking and do so is a good one, it's not your circus, not your monkeys etc. You've given all the evidence that you have and no need to get drawn in any more than that.

Papyrus · 13/08/2021 21:59

I think I would send the screenshot to the wife, and say something along the lines "I no longer feel comfortable working for you, after being subjected to this unacceptable level of sexual harassment by x. Please don't contact me again"

FOJN · 13/08/2021 22:00

Lots of women on this thread saying they want to know if they were the wife and they’d LTB, but as we see on MN all too often the women rarely kick them out and always give these sneeze balls another chance. Often the more successful/wealthy the man, the less likely the woman is to leave. Marriage is sometimes seen as a status symbol. If his profession allows/encourages cheating then maybe she turns a blind eye.

What the arseholes wife does with the information is not really the OP's concern, the wife is an adult capable of making her own decisions. The OP has every right to look after her own interests without assuming responsibility for the consequences of a situation she did not initiate.

Somuddled · 13/08/2021 22:02

Also concerned by your boyfriends reaction. Why isn't he angry for you?

Wheretobuy · 13/08/2021 22:03

This is sexual harassment. Why should you lose a job you need and like and he gets to do this again?

ttcsucks · 13/08/2021 22:07

@MazDazzle

I wouldn’t tell her.

He might spin a line saying you’ve been a flirt and made a pass at him. It could get messy. It could impact your reputation and other babysitting jobs.

Just block and say you can’t manage.

Keep the screenshots though.

I agree with this, I wouldn't say anything and just leave the job. Quietly.
SeaShoreGalore · 13/08/2021 22:08

I would tell her.

Auntycorruption · 13/08/2021 22:09

I would speak to the wife directly - tell her her husband made you feel uncomfortable when she went upstairs and then offer to send her the screenshots. If you just send them you don't know if he's monitoring her phone etc.

She absolutely needs to know. It might be the final piece of the puzzle she needs.

Tulips15 · 13/08/2021 22:12

@Aquamarine1029

I would 100% tell the wife, show her the texts, and then not have a thing to do with them again.
agree
Eirefairy · 13/08/2021 22:13

Bypass all the awful stuff just block and delete. Don't even go there. It will end in tears

TheOnlyLivingBoyInNewCross · 13/08/2021 22:14

@SpaceshiptoMars

Show the messages to your father, and ask him to handle it. Men don't mess with women when there's an angry Dad about.
😂 Definitely one of the more bizarre posts I've seen on MN recently!

Are you suggesting grown women don't have what it takes to handle their own lives but need daddy to step in for them? In a kind of six year old "you're a meanie and I'm telling my dad on you" way?

Men who mess with women don't give a shit about "an angry dad".

occa · 13/08/2021 22:18

FGS don't just stop working for them without giving a reason. The mum will be pissed off and word will get around that you're 'unreliable' or 'flaky' or whatever. Babysitting work relies almost entirely on word of mouth and personal recommendations.

You definitely don't want to give the dad a chance to put the boot in and badmouth you either. Just forward the screenshots to the wife, say you're sorry, you enjoyed working for her and the kids were lovely but you're sure she understands that you can't sit for her again.

Aposterhasnoname · 13/08/2021 22:25

@VodkaSlimline

How did you get a degree after leaving school at 15?
Fuck off part one. I got my degree aged 45, after leaving school with no qualifications at 16.

I’d probably tell them I can’t babysit any more but not say anything to the wife
Fuck off part two. Why are these twats given free passes to carry on like this and no doubt submit the next babysitter to more of the same. Shout it from the rooftops!

Martyitsyourkids · 13/08/2021 22:29

@babysittingNC

Also, I haven't done anything to insight this. I have a degree and 9 years experience working with children and families. I'm nothing but professional.

I don't go dressed inappropriately. Usually hair up, no makeup, leggings and a big top! Appropriate clothes for messy childcare duties.

You could wear a low cut, teeny mini dress and heels and you are STILL not encouraging this creep to behave like he's entitled to you. Sorry this happened to you. What an arse hole he is.
mummabubs · 13/08/2021 22:33

I'm so sorry you've been put in this position OP. I have to say if I was the wife I'd want to know. Do what feels right for you of course, although I don't think this would negatively impact on your career as you have texts as evidence and the only people this would likely put off employing you are other men who'd want cheat.... Who I'm guessing you wouldn't want to work for anyway!

thequeenoftarts · 13/08/2021 22:33

Dear wife

I have really enjoyed my time babysitting your children, they and you are all great, however your husband has crossed a line with his texts to me on xxx date, bordering on sexual harassment. There are now 2 choices, you can deal with this and send me on a reference for my work detailing how amazing I am, OR I can go public with his messages, thus inviting other sexually harassed women to also come forward, as I am sure this is not his first time trying this on vulnerable women in your home. I am sorry to do this to you as I have no issues with you, but I fee you need to be aware you are married to a creepy pervert and this needs dealing with. Any negative feedback from this will see me posting all his mess
ages on social media for your families, friends and neighbours to see, also I will press charges too

Martyitsyourkids · 13/08/2021 22:34

Footballer?

GalaxyGirl24 · 13/08/2021 22:35

I would definitely tell the wife and screenshot the messages. I'd be telling her I'd be happy to babysit in the future if SHE ever needed me to but not with her husband around at all.

After I'd told the wife I'd be messaging the husband to tell him how disgusting and inappropriate his behaviour is, and how lucky he is to have such a lovely wife who he clearly doesn't deserve! Then block delete and hope I never see him again

HollowTalk · 13/08/2021 22:38

@thequeenoftarts He hasn't done anything illegal. You'd really go to the press about this?

Somuddled · 13/08/2021 22:40

@thequeenoftarts

Dear wife

I have really enjoyed my time babysitting your children, they and you are all great, however your husband has crossed a line with his texts to me on xxx date, bordering on sexual harassment. There are now 2 choices, you can deal with this and send me on a reference for my work detailing how amazing I am, OR I can go public with his messages, thus inviting other sexually harassed women to also come forward, as I am sure this is not his first time trying this on vulnerable women in your home. I am sorry to do this to you as I have no issues with you, but I fee you need to be aware you are married to a creepy pervert and this needs dealing with. Any negative feedback from this will see me posting all his mess
ages on social media for your families, friends and neighbours to see, also I will press charges too

Don't do this. Horrible wording that makes you seem like you are trying to blackmail her.
Lakeshore6 · 13/08/2021 22:40

I wouldn’t be worrying about repercussions - you have it all in black and white, how can he twist anything?
Fuck that, put the wife out her misery before he finds another babysitter victim

thequeenoftarts · 13/08/2021 22:42

[quote HollowTalk]@thequeenoftarts He hasn't done anything illegal. You'd really go to the press about this?[/quote]
Well now sexual harassment is illegal, plus he is a pervy sleaze and is hitting on their kids babysitter which has to be as cliched as it gets.

Aliceclara · 13/08/2021 22:44

Tell us what you decide OP, and what the outcome is. You absolutely didn't deserve such sleazy entitled behaviour.

thequeenoftarts · 13/08/2021 22:45

Its not at all about blackmailing his wife, just letting her know that she is married to a bastard that tries it on with the employees and wont be tolerated.

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