Neighbor assumes I’ll watch her kid

[Anonymous]

I don’t see anything wrong with her texting this request. It’s of course fine that you’d prefer the conversation happen in person but she’s not doing something objectively wrong by texting it. And I’m over 40 so not a youngin’ who is used to texting about everything.

[Anonymous]

+1

I would be fine with my neighbor asking for a favor. I would say no, if it didn't work for me, and just be honest about why and what might work for me. I would try to make it work the first time, since I do want to keep good relations with the neighbor. I don't understand why so many PPs are so negative about the neighbors intentions - maybe she genuinely thinks that it would be a mutually beneficial arrangement.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:"I'm happy to help in a pinch, but since I'm juggling these two crazies, I think you should lock down some more consistent care."

YES and fast! The sooner you say something like this the better. My neighbor made a similar suggestion. I was happy to help out on occasion but didn't want anything permanent. We also had VERY different parenting styles and I really wasn't comfortable with her watching DD and DS. I wish I had said something sooner than I did. I caved and let it go on for a few weeks. I was stressed and unhappy with the situation and when I finally told her it wasn't working for me she was not happy. I wished I had never gotten into the situation in the first place. Don't cave, OP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:+1

I would be fine with my neighbor asking for a favor. I would say no, if it didn't work for me, and just be honest about why and what might work for me. I would try to make it work the first time, since I do want to keep good relations with the neighbor. I don't understand why so many PPs are so negative about the neighbors intentions - maybe she genuinely thinks that it would be a mutually beneficial arrangement.

I think some people just go through life assuming that everyone is trying to take advantage of them, and that's the lens through which they see everything. It seems pretty sad to me. If you don't want to or can't help, just say no. Some people might think that trading a couple hours of babysitting in the morning for a couple of hours some other time to be able to run errands without kids is a fair deal. OP doesn't. So just say it won't work for you.

[Anonymous]

I am not seeing where she means this is every week...