I'm trying to compile a top ten list of reasons to get out of babysitting for friends. I don't want to get blind-sided and not have great excuse next time. I have two kids and just don't enjoy watching others kids...especially ones with grandparents that live with them. Please help and be creative.
2007-02-01 13:51:08 · 62 answers · asked by Report Abuse 3 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Toddler & Preschooler
creative?! hmmm...
1) sorry that is the very same day I got an appt with myself for a lobotomy and there wasn't another appt for six plus months...
2) I would love to help out... but I have to go to anger management that day
3) OH, I would so love to.. but? court date for some stupid double homocide that day, sorry...
4) wha....? you trust me with them?
5) can't the parole board says not allowed near them....
6) you know that sounds almost as much fun as breaking both arms? now which to choose...
7) hmmm.... can I bring them to cult gathering I have to attend? I have extra robes they can borrow.... but they need to bring their own offering....
8) ok... but I have to be at the go-go bar downtown for eight they will need their own money this time.... I got the IDs still
9) I could watch them? REALLY?? you would trust me after the last time?
10) I'll watch them, but I require two rolls of duct tape and lots of twine or rope and maybe some velcro ahead of time, and to know exactly when you will be home.....
I have a sad, sarcastic sense of humor, I know....
ok... my daughter wanted me to correct myself... I have a very silly, sick, sarcastic bordering sadistic inane (and insane) sense of humor... she's laughing too hard there.... hmmm.....
2007-02-01 14:10:39 · answer #1 · answered by elusive_001 5 · 6⤊ 0⤋
1. Wish I could help but we're kinda doing some porn movies tonight after the kids go to bed. Big night. Have you guys gotten much into S&M yourselves?
2. Maybe, I'll have to check with the police first. They've been looking for a rapist in the neighborhood. Let me ask the police first how dangerous this guy is, ok?
3. Can't. We made a mistake and washed some fiberglass fiber drapes and the fibers are all over the house. They itch really bad. The kid's pediatrician says the biggest concern right now is the possibly damage the fibers could do to their lungs. It's like asbestos. But, we've been airing out the house like the Health Department recommended.
4. Can't. Have to have an alcoholic friend over tonight who just started AA and doesn't want to spend a single evening alone so he's hopping each evening from one friend to another until things get less desparate for him. It's my turn tonight to babysit him. I haven't seen him in awhile and last I heard, he was into meth. So, nope, not a good idea for your kids to come over tonight.
5. Something bit junior last night. His doc thinks it might have been a rat. A big one, at that. Until we get the pest dude out here this evening or tomorrow, I'd rather not expose anyone else to that kind of danger. Good news, though, is that the doc doesn't think we'll have to give junior rabies shots. Did you know rabies shots aren't given in the gut anymore?
2007-02-01 14:20:21 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
10. We have a lot of errands to run today. We're going grocery shopping, stop at the bank, etc.
9. We're expecting some company from out of town...Sorry!
8. Oh, My kids are going to spend the day with their grandma today. I was going to have a little me time.
7. We all have a bad spill of pink eye we're just getting over. Doctor says we're still contagious.
6. The kids are being really naughty, I don't want them to feel as though they're being rewarded by having friends over.
5. I've been having a lot of back pain lately. I don't think I could handle it...works with migraine as well.
4. I'm not in the mood for extra kids today. I have just been so cranky lately.
3. Is there any way that you can find someone else, I'm not feeling kid friendly today.
2. Don't answer the phone
1. Um let me get back to you...Don't call them back!
2007-02-01 15:17:25 · answer #3 · answered by Mom of 3 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
1) Sorry, I just can't (no further explanation)
2) I'm just swamped right now (you don't have to say with what)
3) Tonight's not good
4) We have plans
5) Little Bobby has the sniffles
6) It'll cost you nine bucks an hour (that's what I get as a babysitter)
7) Tonight's family night
8) Okay, but only if you can watch my kids this Friday
9) We'll be busy (If they start the conversation with 'what are you doing this Saturday?" find out why they're asking before you say anything
10) I'd just as soon not (this one won't work if you use your friends to babysit)
Hope this helps
2007-02-01 14:15:37 · answer #4 · answered by LX V 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think I'm getting a cold and I wouldn't want your kid to get sick.
I have a doctor's appointment and if I cancel, they'll charge me.
My kid has a cold.
I have a HUGE work project I have to get done by tomorrow because I procrastinated.
My kids REALLY misbehaved and they are grounded, so having kids over to play is off limits right now
It's a school night and my kids get too riled up when your kids are here and they stay up too late and its hard in the morning
I'm already babysitting someone else's kids
We are babysitting my co-worker's brand new puppy/kitten/animal of some sort and it's REALLY freaked out so having even more people over would add to the trauma, my kids know they have to be REALLY quiet all night tonight.
My kids have too much homework tonight and won't get it done if your kids are over.
2007-02-01 14:00:06 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
FYI: Seinfeld kept his list of excuses on a clipboard next to the phone.
1. Strep throat - they just had that 5 minute throat swab at the pediatrician and they showed positive for strep. They're on antibiotics for a week. Requires a recheck at dr.'s office.
2. Pink eye/conjunctivitis - very contageous and nasty, requires antibiotic eye drops. Requires a recheck at dr.'s office.
3. You think they have chickenpox...
4. Little Susie has the stomach flu, been puking all night.
5. On your way out the door for routine maintenance on your car, boat, truck, RV, motorcycle,pick one.
6. You're on your way out the door to help your friend with his septic tank problem, or to bury his dead dog - pick one.
7. You have to leave the house right now for an appointment with the OB/gyn or Urologist for that dripping thing that you've talked about.
8. You have to pick up your Aunt Mildreds coffin from the airport.
9. You have to go to a funeral for a former coworker in the next town.
10. You have to give a deposition at a lawyers office downtown.
11. You have a sinus infection.
12. You have an antibiotic resistant sinus infection.
13. You have to see an Ear Nose & Throat specialist regarding that incurable sinus infection.
14. You have to have an MRI of your facial sinuses, that awful sinus infection won't go away!
15. You have to go back to your ENT specialist to go over your test results.
16. You are off to have your eggs collected & frozen or donate sperm -pick one.
17. You have to go to the bank to resolve your identity theft problem.
18. Have to go to the courthouse and get copies of the kids birth certificates, grandma's death certificate- pick one.
19. You're hosting a sex toy party, can't talk now, click.
20. Pretend you have joined Amway and keep asking them to buy stuff everytime they call your house.
2007-02-07 12:23:32 · answer #6 · answered by wwhrd 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
5. Something bit junior last night. His doc thinks it might have been a rat. A big one, at that. Until we get the pest dude out here this evening or tomorrow, I'd rather not expose anyone else to that kind of danger. Good news, though, is that the doc doesn't think we'll have to give junior rabies shots. Did you know rabies shots aren't given in the gut anymore?
2016-02-24 01:33:18 · answer #7 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Tell your friend you'd be happy to right when your finished:
1.Washing all the sheets and towels because of a bad case of hand foot mouth disease.
2. Lysoling the whole house because of a mysterious bug.
3. Waiting for the Bug people to come and get rid of the rats in the house.
2007-02-01 15:34:59 · answer #8 · answered by GabrielleC 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I had this same problem (kinda)
I had one kid and my friend had three
so If she watched my one, and I had to watch her three, it did NOT seem like an even exchange.
My kid is 8, hers are 9 3 and 8 months. So I just felt as if the babysitting trade was not nearly the same.
Plus since my kid would go to her house when she would babysit, she wanted to bring her three kids to mine (so preperation started for their visit the day before since i had to toddler proof the house again)
It was horrible. Iguess they arent horrible kids but having an 8 year old is certainly not the same as having an 8 month old.
I hated it and felt horrible everytime I 'had' to do it.
Blame it on your kids being sick. Blame it on your husband being sick or having company (from work)
The girl I was tellling you about, she starts off her request with 'what are you doing this weekend'.
So then if I have not already planned something, I would say nothing and she would say 'great' and then she leads in with the 'can you watch my kids thing' and that I had already said I was not busy, kinda takes away all the excuses....so Now when she asks me that, I just say that we are going to see the inlaws or my parents are coming down or something like that that will keep me busy for the entire weekend.
You might try that saying you are waiting for the repair man to come or someone to come to give you free estimate for new blinds/carpet or something like that (they usually dont give a specific time that they are going to show).
If you go to church blame the church for a few weekends (pretend to be volunteering there)
If you dont have one that you can blame, make up a friend
I did this so that the made up 'friend' could not be checked out. Start talking about her off and on bringing her name up so that I could use her as an excuse if/when the 'trap' was sprung on me. (my 'friend's' name was 'meridith')
'Merideth's grandmother died, her husband has left/cheated on her, she has been suicidal, has had her car stolen, she has had minor surgery, sick kids, you name it, she has had it.
I can always count on Merideth for an easy out when the inlaw stories dont work.
GOOD LUCK!
p.s. Dont let her watch your kids either and you wont feel so bad about saying no!
2007-02-01 14:06:24 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 2⤋
Next time your friend asks if you could babysit for her tell her your kids are being uncontrollable and right now it would not be a good time. Seem really irritable and in a bad mood about your kids and then she'll not want to leave her kids with you. If she continues to ask you after that tell your friend "you know what my kids are such brats that I completely neglect your child trying to control mine, I think you're better off finding another sitter- i'm so sorry." Good luck.
2007-02-01 13:59:52 · answer #10 · answered by MichiganRocks 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋