AIBU to charge £50?

[veryfluffyfluff]

My DH and his ex have screwed up their plans and managed to have made commitments the same weekend. This weekend was DH's to have their kids and then switched to being ex's. I've been asked if I wouldn't mind being in and getting them dinner and they can come here for one night. I said I'd check my diary. AIBU to say sure that will be £50 please?

Yes you're being unreasonable. Say to him he needs to order takeaway and give the kids money to get sweets?
They're your step kids surely it can't be this much inconvenience to just look after them for a night

They're your step kids surely it can't be this much inconvenience to just look after them for a night

And she’s said yes, hasn’t she? Just give £50.

Better than making innocent children feel like unwanted rubbish 🤷‍♀️

Why did you get with a man who had children? Genuinely?

Wow so it’s acceptable to treat someone like a doormat then? That’s a new one on this board. Just shows the selfish entitled mindset that some parents have. “Have my kid for me or they will feel unwanted.” How ironic. What about the parent.

How will the children feel like unwanted rubbish just because she’s asking the parents to take responsibility by either altering their plans or paying her? Reaching a bit.

Well it wasn't to be their childcare when their parents can't sort themselves out was it?! I'm not here to be an extra mummy or an on call babysitter.

Such a weird question.

I am a step parent.
I thought this post must surely be a joke. Who charges to look after their family? And your step kids are part of your family, surely? There were times that neither biological parent could do something, so I stepped in, this usually meant dropping off one of the kids somewhere (one boarded so driving him and his stuff to school, for example). I did it because I loved my husband. It would be beyond belief to think of charging my husband for my time and petrol!
I would do this for a friend in need too, and not even think of asking for money.

Hang on. How have I made the children feel unwelcome?

Poor kids- you sound like a treat OP 🙄

🙄

It's all good - he's going to buy takeaway. I think he gets it. She probably doesn't but never mind.

Just say no if you don’t want to do it. Don’t play weird little mind games with your step kids

You haven’t. They’ll know they’re with you because both mum and dad chose to spend time with other people over them, on the same night. You haven’t done anything wrong, you’re the only one agreeing to step up.

The people freaking out are the same ones who’d tell you to give your step kids all your money and a kidney while reminding you you’re not their parent and have no right to go to assemblies or have a say in them tidying their bedrooms. Same old.

Yawn

I mean I have zero interest in going to their assemblies and my only request re their room is that if they want me to change their bedding they have to leave some sort of space on the floor for me to get to their bed but yes I see your point.

That’s good. I’m glad he’s doing that. So he should.

And I hope they both say a big thank you to you. Her as well as him.

Anyway I'm out now because it's hard to read the comments from people who don't get it. Thanks for all the advice. I just have to decide between pizza and sushi now. :)

@funinthesun19 I don't expect that from her but who knows! Thank you.

Please at least consider bowing gracefully out of these children's lives. They deserve better than a selfish, mercenary step parent.

The children will be none the wiser. Its good OP isn't happy to be walked over.

As in none the wiser about discussions around their time with her when both of their parents couldn't be bothered to figure anything else out.

How have you got that from a situation where both parents don't want to look after their children and are arguing over who has them, and the non parent OP has stepped up to look after them?

Yes. Having self respect and boundaries is never allowed when you’re a stepparent. Let the parents have their way at all times.

God some people see dramatic, the dc aren't going to come on here and read ops thread and presumably their parents are sensible enough not to tell them neither of them want to cancel their plans and have them

I think if it's been 7 years @veryfluffyfluff and you've not had this issue before then I'd do it this time but make sure he tells her it's a one off

Grow up, are you a mum who is happy for someone else to do your job because you can’t be arsed to do it yourself.