Neighbor keeps asking to babysit my kids. How to decline politely?

[Anonymous]

She probably genuinely wants to help and is being a bit pushy about it because so many people are slow to accept help. I second the suggestion to get to know her. You may find yourself in a bind down the road where it'd be helpful to have someone close by that you trust. My mom got to know our very sweet older next door neighbor when I was born. She was there for my mom SO many times over the years and will be attending my wedding next year. It really does take a village, and so many people wish they had more of a village. Don't be so quick to write this woman off.

[Anonymous]

Agree with pp. people are so quick to complain they don't have anyone to help, no friends etc but I think people are quick to pass up opportunities to make friends and books a community of people who can help out in a pinch. Family is only willing to do just so much of that. Or what if you want to go to a family wedding or out to finger sans kids?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If she's older, maybe she forgot that she's asked the OP three times? Especially if she offers to babysit for neighbors regularly.

lol with a memory like that she's definitely not someone I'd want watching my kids

While sort of true...you've never told a story to the same person twice? I was thinking maybe she offers her babysitting services to so many neighbors that perhaps she forgot she had offered to watch OP's DC.

[Anonymous]

If she's in her 50s / 60s and doesn't have grandkids or her grandkids are living far away she just has baby envy and means well. My mom has been dying for a grandchild for years and she offers to babysit my high school friends babies when she runs into them in the grocery store in the small town where I grew up. These are people I have not spoken to in years!

I had 6 babies at my wedding shower. You should have seen my mom and her girlfriends in their late 50s / early 60s. They were in HEAVEN.