Mom Wants To Ask Her New Babysitter Not To Smoke Before Coming To Their House To Babysit

A 28-year-old mom thought she’d found a solid new babysitter, then realized the problem was not the person, it was what came with her every time she showed up. The babysitter was doing her job, but the smell of smoke was so strong it clung to the house and made the whole situation feel awkward fast.

OP didn’t want a blow-up or a dramatic “you can’t do that” moment, she just wanted her home to stay clean and her kids to be around something safer than lingering cigarette odor. The complication? Some commenters acted like asking for basic boundaries was too much, while others treated it like an instant dealbreaker.

And when OP finally came back with more details, the whole thread shifted from “is it rude?” to “how do you set the rule without starting a war?”

OP's post was pretty straightforward and just explained her issues with the smells, but she is still happy to have that babysitter and doesn't want any issues.

u/OhSoJune

This is a really fantastic comment because it was actually helpful and gave her some ideas on how she can make a change without having to have an awkward conversation with her.

asm0dei

This definitely shows what she should do because it's something that is commonly asked of people before being around their children.

Reddit

OP’s post made it clear the issue was the smell, not the babysitter’s intentions, and that’s why people kept trying to soften the conversation.

Establishing a healthy environment for children is paramount, especially when entrusting their care to others.

This comment definitely had a harsher tone regarding the situation and what she should ask of the babysitter.

prettyflyforahobbit

OP actually responded to this situation and was thankful for the perspective on what is okay or not okay to request.

OhSoJune

This does seem like a huge dealbreaker for some people in the comments, and they explained that this would not be acceptable at all.

Reddit

The comment section split hard when some folks said OP should ask first, while others said they’d never allow a smoker anywhere near their kids.

This is similar to the debate over refusing to pet-sit your friends’ cat after it destroyed furniture, WIBTA?

Social psychology informs us that the impact of a caregiver's habits can extend beyond physical health.

We think that OP and the babysitter could come up with some sort of compromise as long as they're both respecting each other's boundaries.

BurgerGem

Some people are encouraging her to just fire her if that's what she wants to do, so it's definitely still an option, honestly.

Reddit

Smoke is very strong, so it's definitely believable that she can smell it so strongly when she comes into the house.

SerenityMcC

OP responded to the feedback, and suddenly the “awkward conversation” problem turned into, “how do we make this workable?”

Addressing Concerns with Caregivers

Open communication with caregivers is essential in addressing concerns about child safety.

This definitely seems like an issue, but there might be some other solutions for it.

Texastexastexas1

OP came back and added some information here about the babysitter's age.

OhSoJune

Once OP added the babysitter’s age, the thread got even more intense, with people arguing this should have been addressed before the hiring decision.

This situation definitely shows that there's a significant problem with smokers, and it is something that needs to be addressed, possibly when hiring the babysitter. People had a lot of advice to give her for this situation, and it seems like she's going to take as much of it as she can.

What do you think about this situation?

Establishing a written agreement that outlines expectations regarding health and behavior can help create a shared understanding.

In this scenario, the mother’s desire to address her new babysitter’s smoking habit underscores the critical importance of maintaining a healthy environment for children. It highlights the need for open dialogue between parents and caregivers to discuss health-related behaviors that may impact the well-being of their children.

Ultimately, this situation is a reminder that prioritizing children's safety goes hand in hand with promoting healthy practices among those who care for them. Creating a supportive environment hinges on these proactive discussions, which can help mitigate any potential risks associated with smoking.

The babysitter might still have a chance, but OP is not letting her house smell like smoke while her kids are inside.

Wait, would you risk your cats’ safety? See what happened when I was asked to pet-sit an aggressive chinchilla. Friend Asks Me to Pet-Sit Aggressive Chinchilla, Risking My Cats Safety. AITA?