SIL is trying to use me as her free "sitter"!

[BibbidiBobbidiBOO]

They go to a home care provider and she takes lots of days and weeks off. My MIL has helped some, but has her own conflicts and some medical issues. She even got hurt once tripping over their toys ! So FIL is getting upset that they are using her as backup and has told them she can't! She has her own life and they go on trips a lot. MIL wants the grandkids on her terms and not at the same time. I don't blame her! BIL and SIL make plenty of money, so that is not the issue. When their first child was born, they had not even planned for child care as my BIL said out loud, "with all the family in town, that won't be a problem"!! DH and I were amused.
I guess I should NOT worry about being nice. They are not!

 

[RitaZ.]

I think you're going to have to be honest with her.

The same thing has happened to me sooooo many times... At first, I felt bad for saying "No", but then I learned real fast.

Your SIL needs to find a reliable back-up baby-sitter now!

 

[peg2001]

A SAHM is not automatically available to watch someone else's kids. I agree with the above posters, you need to say "no" in a way that makes it clear that you aren't interested in babysitting her kids. I am extrapolating but it sounds like if she could get you as her backup sitter, it wouldn't be long before you became the regular sitter!

My DH is a SAHD and he gets lots of requests from friends and aquaintenances to watch their kids. He is too nice and almost always says yes. What is really irritating is that they always have a conflict if he asks them to watch our kids.

Peggy

 

[disykat]

I still agree- just say you don't want to.

Aside from the issue of whether you even want to I find it really rude that anyone would expect FREE daycare - family or not. I've helped out friends occasionally for work related things and they pay me what they would've paid for daycare - these are the same kids that I have occasionally watched for free as a favor if the parents aren't working - they do the same for me. But, If money is being made - money should be paid!