Watching other people's kids-how to say no?

MamiH

I feel like all I do lately is watch other people's children.  My H travels a ton and I rarely get a break from my two, the last thing I need is to watch other children.

In July, my neighbors asked me to watch their kids and they said they'd pay me.  They never paid me.  Her oldest comes over to our house regularly on weekends to play.

My sister asked if she can come over tomorrow so my neice could play with my kids.  Then she said, "Oh, then I can run errands and grocery shop".  I don't recall ever offering to watch her child.  I'd like to run errands kid-free too!  I *just* watched her dd last Saturday night.

My friend from out of town had me watch her dd for 2 days in a row last month.  She's coming this weekend and staying at our house.  I'm sure she'll ask me at some point to watch her kid so she can go out or run an errand (she always does).

I need some polite ways to say no, or some really good excuses why I can't. 

JOEBunny

Yes, because people pg with their 3rd child should have all kinds of energy for other peoples kids?  I would try the trade off approach, since you are obviously a softy.  I would say, "yes, that sounds awesome, I will watch your little DianaPainInTheRump while you run some errands, if you don't mind, when you get back, I have been dying to go see "X" movie and we could trade off.  You could even suggest a specific date and time in the future when you actually need a sitter and say, if they can do it then, then you can do it today.  Good luck!  You do not deserve to be dumped on.

CleoKitty

MamiH:

My sister asked if she can come over tomorrow so my neice could play with my kids.  Then she said, "Oh, then I can run errands and grocery shop".  I don't recall ever offering to watch her child.  I'd like to run errands kid-free too!  I *just* watched her dd last Saturday night.

Next time say something like, "Oooh, isn't it so nice that we have each other to swap kids with? I have some errands I'd like to get done too- will you be home on Saturday afternoon so I can drop the kids off to play for a couple of hours?" 

oparcm

JOEBunny:

Yes, because people pg with their 3rd child should have all kinds of energy for other peoples kids?  I would try the trade off approach, since you are obviously a softy.  I would say, "yes, that sounds awesome, I will watch your little DianaPainInTheRump while you run some errands, if you don't mind, when you get back, I have been dying to go see "X" movie and we could trade off.  You could even suggest a specific date and time in the future when you actually need a sitter and say, if they can do it then, then you can do it today.  Good luck!  You do not deserve to be dumped on.

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femmegem

Tell them your kids have H1N1.

Heh heh. Well, you could just be honest with them. Say you're exhausted and rarely get a break and really just don't have the energy to watch any more children.

ETA: I like JOE and Cleo's ideas.

Disneygeek77

I would just say "Sorry that won't work for me" and leave it at that.  Don't give any more info or details just say " That won't work for me." 

hikerbeth

I'm terrible at saying "no" about that, too.

I feel like I really need to "pay it forward" right now because I may be asking for help once #2 is born, but I actually have to ASK for help if that's going to happen. . . and I have a hard time with that, too.

I would say formalize a swap when you agree to babysit so that you know you'll get some time as well.