Politely decline this request

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do you keep giving the impression that you're exhausted or swamped or can't give each kid enough individual attention, or the toddler would ruin an experience for the 7 yr old? All those things may be prompting this.

You can just say "You're so sweet to keep offering to take Cassidy places. Call us paranoid, but it takes Dave and me a really long time to trust people with our kids. Totally not you personally. But we'd all love if you'd join us for our playground picnic next Sunday."

Say this if you want to end the friendship. Just say you like to do things together with the kids. So she wants to go to museum you can decline if timing doesn't work for you but you all go if that works. Is she is offering to babysit at your home while you go for a date night? If that would make you uncomfortable you need to re-evaluate the friend.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do you keep giving the impression that you're exhausted or swamped or can't give each kid enough individual attention, or the toddler would ruin an experience for the 7 yr old? All those things may be prompting this.

You can just say "You're so sweet to keep offering to take Cassidy places. Call us paranoid, but it takes Dave and me a really long time to trust people with our kids. Totally not you personally. But we'd all love if you'd join us for our playground picnic next Sunday."

Say this if you want to end the friendship. Just say you like to do things together with the kids. So she wants to go to museum you can decline if timing doesn't work for you but you all go if that works. Is she is offering to babysit at your home while you go for a date night? If that would make you uncomfortable you need to re-evaluate the friend.

I don’t know if it would end the friendship to say that, it sounded pretty good to me but I thought of another avenue - if you work outside the home during the week you could say I know it’s a bit crazy but I really like doing things together with the kids most of the time on the weekends because I’m away so much during the week

[Anonymous]

When I first read this, I automatically assumed she had a 7 year old too and was just being nice to include the toddler. Now I see she only has a teenager? Yeah, I would trust my gut instinct on this and decline. "You are so sweet, but no thank you! I have a sitter for time when I need to be kid free, and she is great." Rinse and repeat. "Oh I enjoy being with my kids so much, no need for that." "That movie sounds fun! I'll definitely take the kids and come along."

[Anonymous]

So invite her and her family to do something a few times.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So invite her and her family to do something a few times.

Doubt her teenage son wants to hang out with a 2 year old, esp not even a relative.

OP, I would be wary.

[Anonymous]

This is a hard no. Not sure why you would even consider.

Just tell her you are not going to let your children go anywhere alone with her.

If she doesn't take it well, then move on.

Trust your gut instinct.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is a hard no. Not sure why you would even consider.

Just tell her you are not going to let your children go anywhere alone with her.

If she doesn't take it well, then move on.

Trust your gut instinct.

Right? And who cares, this is a newer friend you just met.

[Anonymous]

I agree with others. You hardly know this person. No way would I let her take the kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Maybe she's hoping you will reciprocate and take her kids when she needs a break? She's trying to "pay the debt" in advance.

She has a teenager.

This is very unlikely.

[Anonymous]

Just be honest.

[Anonymous]

I had a neighbor like this. She loved little kids so much. Her 4 kids had grown up and she missed them being babies. She was always offering to watch our baby but I thought it was a little weird because we didn’t know her all that well. Now my kids are older and I kind of get it. She just loved babies so much and once yours are past that stage you don’t get to be around them anymore if it’s not your profession.

Anyway, this person probably means well. I’d just keep hanging out and see if you feel more comfortable over time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is a hard no. Not sure why you would even consider.

Just tell her you are not going to let your children go anywhere alone with her.

If she doesn't take it well, then move on.

Trust your gut instinct.

You're insane.

[Anonymous]

A new friend, that you’ve only hung out with a few times yourself, has already pressed you multiple times to take your kids, when she has no similar-aged children? That’s super weird. Shut it down.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is a hard no. Not sure why you would even consider.

Just tell her you are not going to let your children go anywhere alone with her.

If she doesn't take it well, then move on.

Trust your gut instinct.

You're insane.

Really on what planet would you let your young children go alone somewhere with someone you barely knew?

OP said she had a gut feeling something was off.

Easy answer again. No my children will not be going anywhere alone with you and or your teenage son we just met you and I do not feel comfortable with doing that. Please stop asking. I’m happy to be friends. If the other person doesn’t like that response move on.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Some people love kids. Hers is now a teen, and maybe she misses the younger ages. Or maybe she wanted multiple kids but could only have one. Or maybe she thinks you would like a break. That said, just keep demurring and doing things as a group. If you need to, blame your husband.

+1