It's a married couple that I know from my son's preschool and they want me to possibly babysit their 2 kids (ages 5 and 3). I used to babysit them over a year ago along with other children, but my husband has told me frankly that he prefers that I not babysit them at all this time because of the following reasons:
- they would be at our house on his days off and he would prefer
not to have house full of kids on days off
- he wants his days off to be able to go and do things as a family
(just us and our 2 kids)
- he knows what I had to put up with last year when I babysat 5
kids, plus my own two for five days a week.
I am thinking, hey, this is extra money for us though and the kids are good most of the time. He is totally wanting me to tell these people no. How can I let them down gently? I have already told them "no" to watching their kids every Saturday. Now they are asking me for Sundays and Mondays. (hubbys days off).
2006-08-06 18:23:06 · 33 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
Just be honest
2006-08-06 18:27:11 · answer #1 · answered by ~*~ Stormy Weather~*~ 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It would be nice if you could babysit them at your Friends home. Perhaps that is not an alternative. I would frankly go to the woman and explain those are your husbands days off and he would prefer those days be for family, his family. Tell her after speaking to your husband you
were taken back and feel like you have let her down but you know family unity is something needed much this day and age. Apologize to her and say, you know I am really sorry about all this. Perhaps some other time, ok? Thank you kindly for understanding our position.
You are not telling a lie because your husband wants the family there with no one else.
2006-08-06 18:35:24 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can let them down lightly by telling them "you have your own family, and it is an 'important time for all of you making family relations'. If she doesnt understand ask her or them if they want you to babysit yours, ask if they can watch yours on the opposite days of the week and see what she says, prob not, If your hubby works a full time job you both need your time together. If you need the extra income, rationalize the pros and cons, but your marriage and family comes first. Its harder to mend the wounds then create then to begin with. Good luck!
2006-08-06 18:34:41 · answer #3 · answered by liz_milhans 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just tell them no, and you have other plans with your husband. If they ask what kind of plans, just say, "My husband and I need some quiet time." Don't say anything more about it. Do NOT make an apology! If you really want to be nice, also suggest someone else to babysit their kids. It is rude of them to continue to dump their kids on you. You don't need the extra money, you need you and your husband to enjoy more of your time together and he wanting that, there is nothing wrong with it. Good for him for requesting it, and good for you for asking about it!
2006-08-06 19:17:09 · answer #4 · answered by jumpingrightin 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Tell them that those days are your husband's days off and you all spend those days together as a family. They obviously have children and should know the value of family time. Plus, your sanity is not worth the extra few bucks.
2006-08-06 18:29:32 · answer #5 · answered by bcooper1975 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Why not comprimise with them and your hubby? You would like to have that extra money and Hubby works Saturdays, why not offer them that day so you can have the extra money and quality time with your family too? Otherwise I see you as the loser in this deal and possibly losing contact with some pretty good children.
2006-08-06 18:35:03 · answer #6 · answered by Marcus R. 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Make your own rules.(avoid certain days to babysit, or go to their house to watch their kids)If this doesn't work just tell the truth, but not gently! After all, your family is more important.
LC
2006-08-06 18:46:16 · answer #7 · answered by Lucian C 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
ok the best thing to do is completely be honest let the other parents know that your circumstances don't permit you to take care of their kids. also let them know that your husband would like those few days that he's off to spend some quality family time together. And that even though the money that they would give you would be much appreciated you just have to say "no". that's what I would do.
2006-08-06 18:33:18 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Tell them that those are your husbands days off and your family time they having children of their own will understand this.
2006-08-06 18:27:41 · answer #9 · answered by nevyn55025 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The way you've put it here sounds perfect -- just tell them the truth: that you need some family time together and you'd like to be able to spend time with your husband on his days off. I'm sure they'll understand.
:o)
2006-08-06 19:55:24 · answer #10 · answered by epiCure 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Tell them your husband would like to spend his days off with just the family. They should understand their parents too.
2006-08-06 18:28:09 · answer #11 · answered by Amber 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋