Reasonable to Ask 19YO to Cover Childcare for 5 Days?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You don’t take adult only trips with that many minor kids. Get a grip.

I'm a PP who wrote a lot more. But this sums it up pretty well!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We don't have nearly this large a family, but we do have an older teen girl who on occasion has been asked to babysit for the two younger siblings for a single overnight. We always ask her if she's willing and pay her, and we'd probably never do this over her winter or spring break. A single weekend day or TWD, or summer, sure, but I feel like winter and spring break are such times of recuperation and catching up for this age group. Older teens have so much on their plates with school, sports, part-time jobs, etc. and deserve to have downtime/ catchup time and time with friends.
Given that you said the smaller kids will be in day camp, it seems maybe okay if she is truly willing because she wants to earn the cash. However, it certainly doesn't seem ideal to me and I'd never do it. In fact, it gives me anxiety just thinking about the chaos in a house with that many kids of those ages and no adults for a week. To also consider is the perspective of the other kids-- a teen sibling doesn't replace a parent, and our youngest always is a little out of sorts when we're away, so for me I'd be thinking about the wellbeing of the 4 and 6 year old in this situation as well as the probably the 9 year old. Those little ones will probably be a little unmoored for the week.

Being in day camp with the twice a day driving isn't easy either. This is selfish.

[Anonymous]

You expect her to watch SIX kids??? Oh my. That is insane and unfair, OP. You should have planned the childcare before you planned the trip. Stop parentifying your oldest child.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You don’t take adult only trips with that many minor kids. Get a grip.

Or, take the kids with you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So, you are going on a spring break trip and not inviting any of your eight kids?

It makes perfect sense that someone selfish enough to have eight kids would then dump those kids and vacation alone.

The nanny and grandparents are doing the heavy lifting so having 8 kids is no big deal when you arean't doing the daily parenting.

[Anonymous]

OP: Yes, these kids are my husband and I’s biological children. I asked my daughter if she’d like to babysit, and she said yes. I did tell her that she could bring a freind or too and I could ask a friend of mine to be near, and she agreed.

[Anonymous]

Its very strange to go away spring break without the kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP: Yes, these kids are my husband and I’s biological children. I asked my daughter if she’d like to babysit, and she said yes. I did tell her that she could bring a freind or too and I could ask a friend of mine to be near, and she agreed.

How much did you agree to pay her and her friend?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So, you are going on a spring break trip and not inviting any of your eight kids?

It makes perfect sense that someone selfish enough to have eight kids would then dump those kids and vacation alone.

And she'll come back from Spring Break pregnant with #9.

she has posted that she is currently pregnant.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP: Yes, these kids are my husband and I’s biological children. I asked my daughter if she’d like to babysit, and she said yes. I did tell her that she could bring a freind or too and I could ask a friend of mine to be near, and she agreed.

what is your flight plan to get there and back?

[Anonymous]

OP do any of your kids have Special Needs?

[Anonymous]

Maldives during your own child’s spring break seems very odd. This is literally halfway across the world and you would leave your 4yo with your 19yo?????

I have 3 kids ages 9-17. I might go now if a grandparent could stay with my 3 kids but no way would I do this when kids were younger.

[Anonymous]

Poor oldest child.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP: Yes, these kids are my husband and I’s biological children. I asked my daughter if she’d like to babysit, and she said yes. I did tell her that she could bring a freind or too and I could ask a friend of mine to be near, and she agreed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So, you are going on a spring break trip and not inviting any of your eight kids?

It makes perfect sense that someone selfish enough to have eight kids would then dump those kids and vacation alone.

And she'll come back from Spring Break pregnant with #9.

she has posted that she is currently pregnant.

Of course she is. 🙄