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Help! Boundary setting re: free babysitting (especially on school days) UPDATED


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Dh's brother, SIL, and two young kids moved into the area earlier this month. SIL has asked for (free) babysitting 1-2 times per week since they moved here. She asked for a second time last week, but I said no. Tonight she asked for sitting every day this week and one day next week. As far as I know, she's a SAHM and doesn't need childcare for work. Her husband is employed.

 

How do I tactfully say, "I'm not running a babysitting service! My days are full and busy. My health leaves me unable to do all I want to do many days, so I have to be able to use my good days as productively as possible and I have to be able to rest on my bad days. I can help every so often if you absolutely need a sitter (like for a doctor appointment), but I do not like to be asked multiple times per week for multiple days of care."

 

I think I could do once a month or so and not have it be overwhelming, but even then I don't like that she seems to think that because I'm a homeschooling mom I must be available to add extra kids at any time. I kind of feel like telling her to get a paid nanny if she needs that much babysitting, but I do need to keep the relationship as amicable as possible while setting firm boundaries.

 

UPDATE: She replied thanking me for what we've already done, saying that the appointments are for mental health and setting up schooling for her, and that she would appreciate names for sitters but they wouldn't be able to afford to pay much. So, not the worst reaction, but somewhat guilt-trippy nonetheless. I am certain that I cannot take them and also homeschool due to the children's personalities and needs. I think she needs to find another SAHM or two in her neighborhood to swap care with if she can't afford to pay someone.

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I agree that you don't need to explain yourself-- at least not in any great detail.  You could just say, "I'm sorry but I'm swamped with school and activities.  I could maybe manage once a month or so if you really need me though."

 

 

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I think you need to stay with the firm no and later work into the "if it's really important stuff". I would fear being taken advantage of if you leave anything open now. I would also firmly state that while you are home, you are working or focusing on your health needs. If you have a paid sitter you use, I would give out her number or recommend a service if you know one. It sounds like she needs that tangible item (like another's phone number) to show her you're not doing this all the time. 

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Since it's family, I'd find out why she is needing so much babysitting time. There may be a good reason, there may not.

 

Then decide on what you feel is reasonable for you.

I don't think I'd do this. At least I wouldn't do the asking. If I were to ask, I'd do the asking through dh. I think I'd ask dh to ask and to emphasize that I was very busy. If I don't ask directly then I can't be on the spot expected to finally say yes because SIL came up with a good reason.

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I think Pinky had a great suggestion to ask about their need.

Is there any chance your husband would talk to his brother?

 

Is she overwhelmed, maybe made worse by feeling isolated by the move?

Is she working part-time but doesn't want her husband (or family) to know?

Is there a medical issue the couple is facing, not ready yet to share with everyone?

Her husband DOES know she's requesting the babysitting, right?

 

If none of the above are true, maybe you can call her on your bad days.

It doesn't need to be a one-way request.

It may even help her to realize how often she is asking, and how off-putting it can be.

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Well, "No." is a complete sentence. But, where I'm from the familial ties are very strong and very tight--they can be very hard to resist so I know many people who would do it even if they didn't want to, not that that is the healthiest or ideal option.

 

 

This is a toughie. Since its family, I might try having a talk with her (and/or maybe having my DH talk with his brother) to find out why they need so much help all of a sudden. How old are her kids? Is there any way that you could meet one another a quarter of the way?

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Can you just sit down with her and discuss the content of your second paragraph? That to me gets the point across with your reasons and helps her understand how her constant asking makes you feel. You could also work in inquiry about how they're doing and maybe find out why she wants so much free babysitting if you want.

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She used to live next door to her dad. The kids are 4 and 2. I don't think she likes being a SAHM. She was in grad school, but she put it on hold because she is pregnant (baby coming in about two months). She will work full time after graduation. I want to say no in a way now that will make it clear I'm not an option for babysitting while she's in class or at work.

 

She never gives an explanation for why she needs a sitter. I don't need a sitter because I have a 14yo and 12yo.

 

I'm leaning toward emphasizing my unpredictable health as a reason for babysitting being hard. It is frustrating to be asked to give up potentially productive hours when I'm having a good day and it is damaging to my health to be asked to go without rest on my bad days.

 

BIL was over here today. He didn't mention anything. SIL didn't ask for babysitting until a couple of hours after BIL went home.

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She doesn't need to give you any reasons for asking, and you don't need to give any when you say no.  :001_smile:  

 

I think if she gets insistent, you should ask your husband to talk to his brother and just reinforce your no.   Hope you are able to work it out without hard feelings.

 

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She's pregnant, with two very young children, and has just moved. That's exhausting, and there is a ton to do! Plus, she is accustomed to living very near family members, which maybe kinda lets "them" set the baseline (in her mind) for what is normal childcare among family.

 

In any case, even if it seems reasonable from her side -- it's not ok with you, and you are under no obligation. Especially if it seems like she is eyeballing the option of having you as a consistant sitter for her study/work plans... It's perfectly ok for you to say, "I can only babysit once or twice a month, do please make your requests with that in mind."

 

However, I would take the time to explore if anything is way out of control for her, and offer encouragement in finding a better solution for her babysitting needs.

 

This might hit her hard if her hopes and assumptions (study/work wise) were pinned on you in that role. It's ok for her to have feelings, and that's not your fault, and there's nothing wrong with it. She will learn a little something about letting your hopes become expectations... Fair enough, live and learn.

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BIL was over here today. He didn't mention anything. SIL didn't ask for babysitting until a couple of hours after BIL went home.

I would guess that BIL does not know how much babysitting SIL wants. I'd just have dh ask BIL about the sitting and have him emphasize that you can't because you are actually very busy and you have health problems.

 

Some people are not good SAHMs. Some people just don't enjoy the toddler years. My mom didn't. My mom loved us, but she didn't enjoy many aspects of motherhood until we were older. So, she finished school and went to work. She did not request free childcare while she was in school or later when she worked though. Not even from her own mother.

 

I know SIL wants free sitting, but if she claims she's new in the area and can't find a sitter, I'd take the opportunity to state that dd14 is available for $10/hour (or going rate in your town) and has time on Tuesdays from 2 to 5 ( or other day and time that's best for you).

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I agree that it's better to not have an excuse, but to state what you are willing to do. It seems like it would be nice to find out why she needs babysitting so often and offer some other solutions since you can't fix it for her. Could she hire your older children to babysit? I'd get this out of the way ASAP since she'll really need babysitting often in a couple of more.

 

We've often moved to a new place when the school year is starting. I tell people that I am unavailable during the day because of homeschooling and keep saying it until they quit asking. If they persist or try to talk me out of it, I tell them that I have to treat homeschooling as a full time job or it won't get done well. End of story.

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Adults deal with their choices. She will have 3 children of a young age. They moved way from her support. These were choices. You are honeschooling, and owe your own famy (nuclear) the choices/plans you have already made for them.

 

If you start giving specific reasons why you can't, it invites a comeback. I agree with a simple, "We are too busy with schooling," or, "That won't fit in our schedule."

 

Her circumstances have changed. It is not up to others to carry her as if tbey haven't. What she is asking is over the top IMO.

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Before they moved here, I saw her post on Facebook asking for free childcare from her friends in the area. That was at least a few times a month.

 

My 14yo attends public school and has homework in the afternoons. My 12yo has already said she doesn't want to sit anymore because of how frequently SIL asked her for childcare during this past month.

 

I completely understand that two young children + pregnancy + moving is exhausting. I've BTDT more than once. And some people aren't cut out to be a SAHP. However, I never asked a friend or family member to sit for me unless I absolutely needed childcare (for work, doctor, etc.). My work was in the evenings, so dh was home. When he went out of town, I needed a replacement. I returned the favor. For leisure situations (date night), I would ask and pay a neighbor teen.

 

I'll ask her if she needs help finding a sitter because I cannot do it. There might be some homeschool teens who would be interested who live in her town (I live two towns over).

 

I was excited for them to move here because I like hanging out with them, but I don't want to be seen as an option for frequent babysitting.

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Would your 14 year old ever be interested in babysitting for them at THEIR house?  If she were trying to earn a little money, that might be a good angle to take?

I know family is different but we had a few people who were always asking us to babysit which I did not mind but we got real busy.  So, my daughter who is 11 started a babysitting service and charges VERY low rates. She makes money with those who hire her, they do not have to pay a lot but it stopped some from asking.  Win-Win for us.  

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As a SAHM who is homeschooling, dear friends who work seem to think I am available for all the odd teacher inservice days or when their work schedule puts them in a pinch to not pick up a child from the nearby school. At 1st I occasionally said yes to not hurt my friends' feelings since they saw it as I'm home anyway and the kids will just play, or I'm right down the road from the school and it will take me a short time to pick up their child...to them it is no big deal.

 

Finally, I had to decide that I am a working mom, working just as hard as they do at their jobs, and I now say to almost every request for drop in free babysitting or a school pick up, "We have a commitment." End of discussion, I don't care if our commitment is to lounge in PJs, watch videos, and eat popcorn all day. "We have a commitment" and nothing else has been that key phrase that leaves no room for the "why not?" pause or requires me to lie or come up with a lame excuse no matter who it is that asks. After one or two times of telling people this, I promise they will take you off of their ask list. When I was making up excuses, like, we don't feel well or we've got to get shopping done today, they would call another time and I'd have to come up with something different. I make exceptions for true pinches, like unexpected MD appointments or temporary life stresses (like surgery or sick relatives). I also say yes to 1 or 2 homeschool moms for things like haircuts or kid free errands who are likewise available to me when I have something less vital to tend to kid-free. These moms would not take offense if I said no without excuse.

 

For a close family member, a gentle, matter of fact conversation stating something like, (long version if you want to explain yourself) "I have been glad to watch the kids a few hours here and there since moving, but my plate is full with homeschooling, housecare, and other commitments. Generally, I do not have enough energy to accomplish these priorities due to health concerns. I am glad you live close and enjoy visiting more often, but I am sorry that I am not able to watch your kids anymore. I will be glad to provide a babysitter reference or ask my friends for one if needed. It is not personal." A short version with little explanation is just as appropriate, something like....."I know I have been able to help you out in the past, but I can't watch Billy and Sue during the week anymore, I have my hands full already and can't take on anything else." should work just as well. I wouldn't use health as your only bail out, because if you start to feel better, you may have to come up another excuse, eventually having to be more blunt and rude.

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Before they moved here, I saw her post on Facebook asking for free childcare from her friends in the area. That was at least a few times a month.

 

My 14yo attends public school and has homework in the afternoons. My 12yo has already said she doesn't want to sit anymore because of how frequently SIL asked her for childcare during this past month.

 

I completely understand that two young children + pregnancy + moving is exhausting. I've BTDT more than once. And some people aren't cut out to be a SAHP. However, I never asked a friend or family member to sit for me unless I absolutely needed childcare (for work, doctor, etc.). My work was in the evenings, so dh was home. When he went out of town, I needed a replacement. I returned the favor. For leisure situations (date night), I would ask and pay a neighbor teen.

 

I'll ask her if she needs help finding a sitter because I cannot do it. There might be some homeschool teens who would be interested who live in her town (I live two towns over).

 

I was excited for them to move here because I like hanging out with them, but I don't want to be seen as an option for frequent babysitting.

 

I love my sister dearly. But when we pursued moving to College Station, she made it clear she could NOT be a regular baby sitter for me if it came to pass.  She's happy to do it here and there, but she homeschools and her and her husband agree she can NOT be a good baby sitter and do what she needs to do. And she doesn't have your health problems!  It has not ruined our relationship at all. And she has been available as a baby sitter on a few occasions (We didn't end up moving so are farther away still.) As well as we have kept her kids. (We have the little kids and she has the teenagers. Her youngest will be 11 in a week. Our oldest is 7)

 

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I'm leaning toward emphasizing my unpredictable health as a reason for babysitting being hard. It is frustrating to be asked to give up potentially productive hours when I'm having a good day and it is damaging to my health to be asked to go without rest on my bad days.

 

 

 

I wouldn't use your health as an excuse. Suppose your health improves? (which we hope it does, of course).

 

Just say no. "Gosh, I'm so sorry, but I just couldn't do that."

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If it helps, people who have the mindset that "it doesn't hurt to ask for what you want" -- also tend to be people who consider it perfectly normal to recieve negative responses.

 

Try reading her requests as if she is honestly asking you to tell her what you *want* to do. She may be reading your "yeses" in a more concrete way than average -- that you actually mean that you *want* to babysit, not just that you will do it (for some reason other than honestly wanting to do so.)

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If it helps, people who have the mindset that "it doesn't hurt to ask for what you want" -- also tend to be people who consider it perfectly normal to recieve negative responses.

 

Try reading her requests as if she is honestly asking you to tell her what you *want* to do. She may be reading your "yeses" in a more concrete way than average -- that you actually mean that you *want* to babysit, not just that you will do it (for some reason other than honestly wanting to do so.)

 

Dh is so the type that believes it never hurts to ask.  He expects people to say no if they want to and never minds if they do.  I keep telling him some people have a really hard time saying no and sometimes it really does hurt to ask. :)

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I would just say, "I'm sorry, but with homeschooling and everything else I'm far too busy to watch anyone else's kids."  I don't know how she could try and argue her way past that, and if she does, just repeat as necessary.  I've had people try to use me for free sitting, but once I said no two or three times in a row they quit asking.

 

 

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She's family and I would be honest. I would probably state "I've been so happy to have been able to be here for your family as you have settled in and while I adore my nieces and nephews, I simply must get back to our normal daily routine with our studies and extracurricular activities. I can probably help you for a couple hours once a month or I have a friend that keeps kids for x per day if you'd like her number!"

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I thought you put it perfectly in your post...

 

 

My days are full and busy. My health leaves me unable to do all I want to do many days, so I have to be able to use my good days as productively as possible and I have to be able to rest on my bad days. I can help every so often if you absolutely need a sitter (like for a doctor appointment), but I do not like to be asked multiple times per week for multiple days of care."
 

 

This is clear and direct and not offensive.

 

I'm glad they didn't move in right next door - imagine that scenario!

 

YOU don't have young children any more.  That means that YOU get to have the freedom that entails.  SHE does have young children and yes, that can be tough.  She needs to find a nanny/babysitter/daycare situation if that doesn't work for her.  That is HER problem and YOU are not HER solution.

 

 

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I would say something similar to Mrs. Mungo's suggestion. No, I'm not up for babysitting little ones. Would you like me to ask my local FB friends if they have any sitter recommendations?

 

Honestly, I wouldn't add in the part you have about doctor appointments or anything. If there's a true emergency, of course she and BIL could call on family to help, but it sounds like she would blur the lines easily if you offer.

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My neighbor once wanted me to watch her kid (so she could go to work). I just had to smile and say, "No, I can't do that." To which she came back with, "Well, I thought that since you're right there and our kids are the same age I thought it would work out. And I just continued to smile and say, "No, I can't." Thankfully she dropped it.

 

I think offering your SIL a couple sitters' names is a good idea.

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Honestly, I wouldn't add in the part you have about doctor appointments or anything. If there's a true emergency, of course she and BIL could call on family to help, but it sounds like she would blur the lines easily if you offer.

 

I'd also worry that if you said you couldn't sit due to homeschooling that she might think your school breaks are times you'd be available to watch her kids.

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I would just tell her that there is no way you can babysit and homeschool.  It just isn't going to happen.  And offering to help her find a sitter would let her know you're serious.  I'd say something like, "I'll ask around and see who might be available and what they charge."

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Thanks for the wording suggestions. Sometimes it's hard to think of the right way to say something when it's your own situation, KWIM?

 

We did watch them twice on school days (in the same week!) because she had doctor appointments (intake visit with a nurse and then a visit with her new OB). I told her that we couldn't watch them during school hours. I need to amend that to we can't watch them on school days. It's too disruptive and exhausting, especially since my toddler and hers don't play well (hitting, biting, etc.).

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Ok, here's what I sent (names deleted):

 

"I've been glad to have been able to help with childcare while you've settled in, but I have realized that adding babysitting to our busy school weeks is too much for me to handle. Dd14 and DD12 are overwhelmed on school days as well, but you may be able to hire them for an occasional weekend need (1-2 times per month).

 

I would be happy to ask around the homeschooling community for teen in your town who might be interested in earning extra money by sitting for you during the week. Let me know if you'd like me to do that. I hope everything is going well with your pregnancy!"

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Shoot, I didn't close the loophole on non-school days. Oh, well.

I think you did fine because you said school weeks, not days. There is more to school than just the hours in class ( as you already know.). There is also planning time, copying, printing, preparing materials, grading work, etc. If she asks on the weekend you can always say that your weekends are full preparing for the week ahead. School weeks to me implies anytime other than school vacations. (Which you certainly do not have to tell her when you take time off. ;) )  

 

Best of luck. I have a difficult time setting boundaries as well, but am getting much better. I make it a policy not to watch anyone's kids during the school year. (Rare exceptions for my 2 best friends who do not take advantage and respect the time and energy it takes to homeschool my kids.) 

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Ok, here's what I sent (names deleted):

"I've been glad to have been able to help with childcare while you've settled in, but I have realized that adding babysitting to our busy school weeks is too much for me to handle. Dd14 and DD12 are overwhelmed on school days as well, but you may be able to hire them for an occasional weekend need (1-2 times per month).

I would be happy to ask around the homeschooling community for teen in your town who might be interested in earning extra money by sitting for you during the week. Let me know if you'd like me to do that. I hope everything is going well with your pregnancy!"

And now we wait . . .

 

I'm way too invested in the scenario.

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