Entitled Mother Expects Neighbor To Babysit Not Only Her Kids But Her Friend's Kids Too

Some people don’t recognize a favor, they treat it like a subscription. In this Reddit story, OP thought she was being neighborly, until the babysitting request got weirdly, wildly bigger.

It started with OP’s neighbor, who apparently expected not just OP’s help with her own kids, but help with her friend’s kids too. And when OP pushed back, the whole thing turned into a boundary battle, with commenters chiming in that OP is not the bad guy and the neighbor is way overstepping.

By the end, it’s not just about who watches the kids, it’s about who feels entitled to everyone else’s time, and OP is already worried about what happens next.

OP's post was pretty short and just explained the situation with OP's neighbor and where they stand now, with a few updates added at the end.

u/Yodaforeverandever

People quickly came to the comments and let her know that she's not in the wrong for this and that she was doing a favor for her.

rmric0

OP responds to this comment and shows a little concern for how things will continue.

FastOpinion2922

The neighbors’ “it’s no big deal” vibe quickly falls apart as OP realizes the request was never limited to just her neighbor’s kids.

The scenario presented reveals a troubling trend of entitlement that can often manifest in parenting relationships.

We definitely agree that she should cut all contact with her neighbor, and ultimately, it might be the best decision for both of them to keep things civil.

Rude_Entrance_3039

The neighbor is most definitely entitled, and we feel there are many reasons why she should say no to babysitting her kids any longer.

Qwerty919991

OP should stand her ground and make the neighbor find someone else to watch her kids because she'll most likely have to pay them, so she lost her chance with OP.

Status_Invite1327

When commenters tell OP she’s doing the right thing, the relief is real, but the updates hint the neighbor might not accept the new boundary.

This is similar to the OP who declined to pet-sit a friend’s dog after she never returned the favor.

In this amusing yet telling scenario, the issue of boundary violations takes center stage.

People do agree that the neighbor is pretty insane and just entitled to think that she can suggest something like this to OP.

System_Resident

People think that the answer is so clear here that OP shouldn't have even posted the post because obviously, she's not in the wrong.

please_trade_marner

This sounds exactly like what she should have said because she was expecting her to babysit every single one of them for free, which just isn't realistic.

whoops53

The friend’s kids part is where it gets especially messy, because that’s the moment it stops feeling like a favor and starts feeling like freeloading.

Community dynamics play a crucial role in parenting, and understanding these dynamics can foster healthier relationships.

She did take advantage, and it's also completely fair for OP to take away this advantage at any time.

Visual_Balance8617

With OP likely moving soon, the babysitting situation becomes a countdown, will the neighbor find someone else or keep trying her luck?

We hope that OP stands her ground and lets her neighbor know that she won't be doing any babysitting for her. Plus, from the updates, it seems like OP won't be staying where she is for much longer.

What do you think about this situation and what people had to say?

To address entitlement issues, open communication is key.

This situation highlights how entitlement and a blatant disregard for personal boundaries can complicate parenting relationships within a community. The mother's expectation that her neighbor should not only take care of her own children but also her friend’s kids illustrates a troubling lack of respect for the neighbor’s time and autonomy. Establishing these boundaries is vital to ensure that parenting remains a collaborative yet balanced effort, ultimately benefiting all involved.

Nobody wants to be the free babysitter for a whole extra family.

Next, see how one OP refused to pet sit a financially desperate friend’s dog anyway.