Being asked to babysit for free

[Disneylover390]

My family expected me to watch kids for free and would drop them off even if I said no. After pulling from my savings to feed their kids I finally said no. They stopped talking to me and started spreading lies about me. We move out of state and my brother in law ask why did I stop talking to my family? Because they expected me to be an all the time babysitter for free. I told him and he watched my two older girls while I rushed my youngest son to the ER. He asked weeks later if I can babysit just for a week I said sure. Then it became everyday and felt like they didn’t have a set babysitter they were expecting me to be the babysitter. I told them I couldn’t babysit anymore our schedules didn’t match up. His gf got mad and doesn’t even bother talking to me anymore. He still seems a bit upset. I wonder why they never paid me and I watched his gf kid for more then a week and they even had her sleep over it was too much. I never offered anyone ever to babysit kids. I’m just shocked that people think it’s my responsibility to watch their kids for free and feed them. I’m a stay at home mom but I have a life.

People think because you have kids and are already at home, it isn't any hassle to add another one or two. Then they try to take advantage.

I think you need to agree to only what suits you, and learn to say NO loudly and firmly for anything else.

I used to babysit regularly for a friend of mine. But that was because a) I have an only child and the company/socialisation was good for him, and b) my poor friend was stressed to breaking point and I was happy to help her when I could.

It has to be your choice.

Yes you are doing the favour you can chose to say no or ask for money (they can also change their mind if they don't want to pay.)

Don't let people take advantage. I found people tried when I became a sahp. It's like it was hard to say no because I didn't have the excuse of "I'm working " But I persevered and they stopped asking.