What would you expect from a sitter in this instance?
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Anonymous
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Our neighbors needed a last minute sitter for two hours on a district-wide half-day, and our 15.5yo was asked and agreed. The kids in question are tweens and needed a sitter because they don’t get along, but teen was told they would likely hide up in their rooms.
Teen went, said they got along, didn’t really bother her, and of story. Or so we thought. Neighbor contacted me to tell me that our teen didn’t talk or do anything with the kids while she was there. I was sort of caught off guard in that moment, wondering, what did you expect from her? I didn’t know how to respond so I didn’t answer just let her talk, but now I’m wondering, do parents expect activity coordinators nowadays? When I was a teen and babysat, the kids played and I supervised, marveled at whatever they showed me, offered snacks, cleaned up behind them, and went home. Just curious! |
Anonymous
| She sounds like an idiot. Make sure your kid declines any future requests. |
Anonymous
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That wasn't a fair position to put a teen a few years old in a situation with two hostile preteen and she was warned that they'd hide in their room which parent approved of.
When I was a teen it was as you say. |
Anonymous
| The neighbor said her kids would probably stay in their rooms, which it sounds like they did. Babysitter did job as described. Unless the mom asked her to get the kids to work on homework or limit screen time and do something active. |
Anonymous
| Your neighbor may find that complaining about last minute sitters makes it hard to find last minute sitters. |
Anonymous
This was my thought. A kid within walking distance who is probably willing to come at a moment’s notice to watch kids who really shouldn’t *need* a sitter, and you’re complaining? Wild. |
Anonymous
| What I’d expect from a last-minute sitter? For my kids to be alive when I got home. That’s it lol |
Anonymous
+1. Walking distance. Only 2 hours. Last minute. Surly tweens. This woman is really looking a gift horse in the mouth. This would ne the first and last time my kid did her a favor because that's really what this was. |
Anonymous
| I would ignore and never let my DD sit for them again. What entitlement!!! |
Anonymous
+1 She’s a looney and I would not have your daughter babysit for them again. The moment has already passed, but you could’ve said that her kids hid away in their bedrooms, so there was no opportunity to talk to them. |
Anonymous
| Babysitter's job is to watch the kids, make sure nothing happens. Sounds like she wants a nanny lol. |
Anonymous
And not having done anything illegal. 😂 |
Anonymous
| The neighbor is absurd OP. If they wanted engagement with activities etc, they need to say that up front, and then get someone who's interested in doing that (and pay for it). Versus just someone just being present to make sure the kids are "okay." |
Anonymous
And it’s crazy they thought they get that from a 15yo! Yikes! |
Anonymous
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I would have told my neighbor that she entered into a business arrangement with my daughter and I'm not going to get involved. And then I'd tell my daughter NEVER to do anything for that neighbor again.
As for expectations, like others said - that my kids are alive. A bonus if they ate. |