Just want to mention I did not come back right away because yesterday was my birthday and today is dh's so we went out to eat and shop both nights. I just never got online until now.
Anyhow.....I am NOT babysitting....but I never spoke to her again about it. She has not called me, so honestly I didn't call her. The last we spoke of it was on Sunday evening when I told her I really didn't know. She did at that time ask me to let her know.....and I should of.....but I didn't. I'll explain that in a minute. However, I do know as of this afternoon (per my husband) she is whining on FB about nobody helping her out w/ babysitting.
Originally Posted by sbell111 View Post
If my sister asked me to babysit and my schedule allowed it, I would say 'yes'. She would certainly do the same for me.
I can appreciate this, but my only child is just weeks shy of 17 years old, so I don't need a babysitter. My sister did watch him a lot when he was a baby. BUT she was 14 years old and I paid her each and every time. She has not watched my son since he was 3 yrs old. The first 2 years of my niece's life I only worked part-time and had the luxury of watching her 3 full days a week--- every week for 2 years. Pretty much until my nephew came along then it got to be too much. Then I began to work full time.
I had to laugh at the comment about what is going to do when she has 3 kids to find a sitter for.......my husband and I discussed that a lot lately.
I rarely babysit anymore. I love my niece and nephew dearly and enjoy visiting them, but they are a HUGE HANDFUL to watch. I don't have the patience for it and it's rarely quality time. Now if this were an emergency and there were no other options, I'd be there to do it in a heartbeat, but it's not.
For why I didn't want to "offend" my sister: Our family is small to say the least. There is me, my sister, and my parents. My sister and my mother are thick as thieves. When one is mad at you the other joins the band wagon just for fun, I swear. Thanksgiving is just us...I was hoping to enjoy it. I then usually go BF shopping w/ my sister Friday (Dh said he'll take me if my sister is being a witch) and I have a baby shower to attend on Saturday w/ both of them that I will know nobody else at.
Also, I have been "outcasted" from my family in the past. 3 years ago I failed to buy my mother a birthday card. Cash was tight....I literally had less than $10.00 to my name, I went to her birthday dinner and brought a dish. I had no money left over...and did not buy my full grown mother a card or gift. She made a HUGE scene crying and yelling at me for being ungrateful. Anyhow, I was not welcomed at or invited to ANYTHING w/ my family for almost 18 months until my grandmother died unexpectedly. If we were at larger family functions where they had no control over me being invited, they ignored dh and I like the plague. My sister and her dh were more than happy to jump on that bandwagon.
They are crazy off their rockers. However, they are still the only family I have and I cried so much for me and my ds those 18 months. I was really hurt at being left out of EVERYTHING...and so was he. Should I care anymore----NO. But do I---- yes.
I'm sure my not calling her and not babysitting will turn into the same thing again. However, it is what it is. I am just too busy to care anymore. I love them all dearly, but it's time for them to love me back for me not for what I can do for them.
Enjoy your day and don't feel guilty. If she tries to make you feel guilty, ignore her.
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