I've been out of work for 16 days now and at least half of those days have been spent watching a friends child, my neighbors daughter and now (today) I had to look over the daycare children my neighbor has because she had an allergic reaction to meds and had to go to the doctor. Did I mention 2 of the 3 people I had never met until the day I watched their children? Do I really look that trustworthy? I know were on a military base, but still. And when will I learn to just say no? Never, I suppose. Oh well.... just my observation for the day, lol.

By Karen~moderator on Friday, September 16, 2005 - 12:47 pm:

Just Say No!

By Happynerdmom on Friday, September 16, 2005 - 12:52 pm:

Melissa, get a mirror, practice your prettiest sympathetic smile, and repeat after me..."No, I'm sorry, I can't watch your child today." End of discussion!! Don't give a reason!!

By Vicki on Friday, September 16, 2005 - 01:00 pm:

No one can make you do these things! You have the power to put a stop to all of it! You just need to say no!! Easier said than done I know. But as long as you continue to say yes and do it, the longer you will be stuck doing it!

By Andi on Friday, September 16, 2005 - 01:10 pm:

Ditto Karen. If you don't want to do it then don't do it.

By Boxzgrl on Friday, September 16, 2005 - 01:30 pm:

I don't mind doing it to help out when its for friends. It's just weird having people ask me to watch their kids when i've never even met them before. People should know these days not to be so trustworthy.

By Reds9298 on Friday, September 16, 2005 - 02:30 pm:

Start charging....they'll leave you alone.

By Cocoabutter on Friday, September 16, 2005 - 02:30 pm:

You could coincidentally NOT be home tomorrow!

By Mrsheidi on Friday, September 16, 2005 - 03:42 pm:

Maybe if you get them real messy right before they have to go home, they won't ask again? LOL
I'm terrible, I know...
I also watch a neighbor boy who is Connor's age, but he is such a gem. I LOVE to watch this kid. He's so precious.
Does it give something for Kaitlyn to do anyway? Play buddies?

By Ginny~moderator on Saturday, September 17, 2005 - 10:00 am:

At the least you should definitely start charging, at least the hourly rate the daycare mother charges with a 10% or 15% increase for "short notice" and "inconvenience".

But you had better start practicing "no", or you are going to have a really hard time with your children.

By Bea on Saturday, September 17, 2005 - 01:13 pm:

Boy do I understand your pickle. When we lived in N. VA I was the only at home mom in our neighborhood. I wasn't called on for daycare relief, but it seemed every parent on our street put me down as emergency contact. For about a month I was picking up and watching some sick kids a few days a week. No one had even asked me if they could use my name. They had given me no work numbers etc. The kids stayed until mom or dad got home from work, which meant that my kids were exposed to them. I did talk to several parents nicely, but nothing changed. I finally refused to come and get them when called. People will certainly take advantage if you let them.

By Mommmie on Saturday, September 17, 2005 - 02:13 pm:

I'm a full time working single mother and I have this issue, too. I have had mothers that I've never met and don't know call me and ask me to watch their kids, carpool their kids, etc.

It's crazy!

We have a neighbor, a SAHM, who gets this a lot too because she doesn't drive. Other moms just assume since she's always "stuck" at home she can watch their kids. She was taken advantage off so much she now charges people from the get-go.

There are a lot of desperate mothers out there needing free childcare!

By Cat on Saturday, September 17, 2005 - 06:03 pm:

Melissa, being on a military base, if you care for children in your home without a license you could lose your base house! Okay, it has to be on a regular basis and so on, but hey, it's easier to say "no" that way. If you don't want to go that way, have plans and say so. Those plans can be as simple as taking a walk, going to the library or commissary, going out to lunch, whatever. Just say, "I'm so sorry. I wish I could help but we have plans." and leave it at that. Good luck.

By Annie2 on Saturday, September 17, 2005 - 11:41 pm:

You need to say no. Not everytime but right you are being taken for granted.

The next time someone asks you, say; "I can't today, we have plans". No other explanation is needed. Your plans could be a quiet day watching movies or playing with playdoe, with your kids.
Once the person ears the word no, their mind will shift into gear to find another person to watch their kids. BTDT

I am a SAHM by choice. For my kids....not the neighbors' kids. I am a strong believer in being a SAHM. I love putting them on the bus, volunteering in their school and being home when they are home.

We live on one income. I will not let people take advantage of me. I think you feel the same.

Again, just say "I can't; we have plans".