Babysitting

LegacyUser

This isn't a big deal but its bothering me..

My young son and I do a lot of housesitting for family members when they go away, look after house, pets etc (unpaid obviously) but recently my cousin said he was going away for a weekend (with wife and kids I presumed) and would I like to stay at his.
I agreed and he said 'Oh but you know the kids will be there don't you'? The kids are 1 and 2 years old. In answer to that, I told him I'm not sure.
This has really rankled with me, I found it a cheeky way to ask for a weekend's free babysitting. My son is 1 also and he's a handful as it is, I'm struggling with the idea of having to look after 3 kids under the age of 3 without being told the full story upfront or properly agreed.

I guess the question is, should I do it? Honestly I don't really want to but I've sort of agreed to it now.

ManOfMystery

It was a bit sneaky IMO.

"You can use my house for a weekend"
"Great!"
"..... did I mention that includes babysitting? Too late now to cancel...!"

I wouldn't do it if I were you, on principle. He's taking advantage, all he had to do was ask you outright if you would mind babysitting that weekend and THEN offer his house for you to stay in, rather than taking his kids to yours.

stargazer 68

I wouldnt do it either - 3 babies for a weekend no chance! Think he has a nerve not even asking if you would babysit - just assuming you would!

wirelessdude01

Sneaky fcuk. No way should you do it.

Galadriel

aaaaaaaaaatttttttttt wrote: »

'Oh but you know the kids will be there don't you'?

What a weird way of asking you to babysit, as if the kids will be there by themselves, just tell him no or he will keep on doing it.

deisemum

That's a very sneaky and sly way to get you to mind his children for a weekend and there's no way I'd mind them after being treated like that.

What plans had he for the children if you'd said no? You're seen as a soft touch and it's disrespectful to treat you like that and just shows how much of a soft touch he sees you if he hadn't made arrangements for them but was fairly confident that you'd do it.

CdeC

cheeky,
A resounding no. Oh the kids will be there, but don't let that bother you.

He's taking advantage of you and your generous nature. Say No.!!!!

LegacyUser

Hi Everyone,

Thanks to all who replied! Ok I got in contact, I didn't give any lectures about asking nicely but probably should have, but I said no- didn't even offer to share the babysitting or anything, just a flat out no.
It was an unbelievable way to ask- but I actually think it was more of an expectation

Otherwise I'd have been sitting in the house stewing and feeling like a tool. (which I would have been)

Thanks for your help:)

Big Bag of Chips

Well done, OP - it can be difficult to say no to family, even when we know we should.

Anyway, as your issue is resolved, I'll lock the thread.