Every Friday when I leave work and pick my kids up from my parents, I somehow end up with my older brother's child. My brother usually says that he'll be there to pick him up in about an hour. But, I end up feeding him dinner and entertaining him until 9 or 9:30 when my sister in law comes to pick him up. I'm not sure what my brother is (but I have my ideas!) instead of spending time with his son but I'm really tired of being the resident babysitter. On a rare basis I wouldn't mind, but this is constant... On a Friday afternoon, I don't want to do anything except come home and spend time with my kids. What can I say to him without starting a family war?
2007-01-05 11:46:15 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Family & Relationships ➔ Family
Change your routine somehow, so that your kids and your brother's kid are not in the same place at the same time. Get your employer to schedule you just Monday to Thursday? Four "tens" versus five eight-hour days? Or can you get a paid babysitter for just Fridays? Do that, and it might be worth it to (relatively) free up your Friday evenings -- no pun intended. And it might be worth it to keep your cupboards and refrigerator from being emptied too fast. Life presents us with some interesting quandaries; this is looking like an economic one. Sometimes bringing in someone from outside to help; hiring something done, can be the solution. It could have been worse; if your kids are well taken care of at your parents, you have a lot to be thankful for.
2007-01-05 12:26:05 · answer #1 · answered by JackN 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well, you could always just say that you have some place to go after work and can not watch his son due to that reason..... Or tell you kids to meet you outside and house and be ready to leave that way you are not in that situation to watch his son for him..
But in most cases you have to stand up to your brother and tell him that you do not mind watching his kids sometimes but you do not want to do it all the time..... Honesty is always better then telling a lie because you will always have to try and think of one everytime and it gets hard.....
Good Luck and I hope all works out without and problems
2007-01-05 19:53:07 · answer #2 · answered by evil_fallen_angel41 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Forget your brother. Tell your sister in law that your brother is going back on his word and you are being taken for granted by him. Tell her you don't know where he goes all the time.
See if she cares. Ask for her help. Start charging them money. Baby sitters can make a great living. Where I live the going rate for a sitter is over $7.00 an hour for two kids.
2007-01-05 19:52:33 · answer #3 · answered by sapphire_adera 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
just say " hey, I've got plans tonight with my kids and i only got so many tickets, maybe he can come another time" and leave before there is a fuss. I think your brother is taking advantage of you and your time so take a stand now or it will continue.
2007-01-05 19:51:07 · answer #4 · answered by angel1 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
'What can I say to him without starting a family war?'
say NO. if NO starts a family war then you need a family war. your brother is taking advantage of you and i'd be willing to guess that he knows he is taking advantage of you.
you must stop this pattern of abuse NOW. it is persistent and chronic. the longer it goes on the longer it will go on. say NO!
2007-01-05 20:00:59 · answer #5 · answered by deeperthinker1006 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Tell him that he needs to pick up his child and be responsible or get someone to do it for him instead of dropping it all on you.And when hes says hes gonna pick his child up then He better pick his child up and you arent gonna do it anymore.
2007-01-05 19:50:12 · answer #6 · answered by Gurly 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Tell him sorry but I already have plans for the evening. Get him to babysit for you once in a while.
2007-01-05 19:58:53 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think you should just tell him how you feel. That child is not your responsibility and you shouldn't be obligated to take care of his child.
2007-01-05 19:49:59 · answer #8 · answered by Koi Fish 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋