SAHM babysits neighbor's kids as a one-time favor, neighbor expects her to watch her children every afternoon moving forward: ‘I'm not a full-time babysitter’

Author image for Lana DeGaetano
Lana DeGaetano • "Show me to me please."
Jun 9, 2025 9:00 AM EDT

The people who think that stay-at-home parents have nothing to do all day, this one's for you.

It is a laborious task, raising kids. Especially as a new parent, you never know what to expect around the corner. You can read all of the parenting books you want, but at the end of the day, it's up to you and the little (cute) monster you've created.

This next story is a testament to never doing anything nice for anyone, ever. I'm kidding, I'm kidding… But it is a cautionary tale to never be overly nice to someone, either. This new stay-at-home mom does her neighbor a favor and watches her kids for her while she goes out to tend to an emergency. Now, her neighbor anticipates needing this free babysitting service every afternoon moving forward, explaining to the SAHM that she doesn't really do anything anyway.

Say it with me: I will not do free labor. Really internalize that mantra. It seems like in and outside of the workforce, entitled people will try to get one over on you. Stay wary. Scroll below to read the entire story.

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  • "I told her she was entitled to think that I SHOULD help her just because I'm at home with my little one."
    via Getty Images For Unsplash+

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

  • "AITAH For Telling My Neighbor I Have No Desire or Obligation To Babysit Her Children Because I'm A SAHM?"

    I'm new to my area and I have made friends with a few neighbors through a mommy and me group**** I have been in the group now a little over a month
    via Ok-Record2903
  • and I have a 9 week old. I have a neighbor who is in the group and she asked me last week in an emergency if I could watch her 3 and 5 year old, she looked
    via Ok-Record2903
  • desperate so I agreed. I was like well its just once. I am a full-time SAHM and enjoy all my time with my little one. That day I watched her children was hectic as h I,
    via Ok-Record2903
  • my daughter was fussy and they children were very rambunctious to say the least. I was happy when she came and got them 6 hours later.
    via Ok-Record2903
  • She came to me today saying she needed me to watch the kids in the afternoons, I told her no. I'm not a fulltime babysitter and have
    via Ok-Record2903
  • no desire to take that much time away from my own child and navigating life with my child and husband.
    via Ok-Record2903
  • Cheezburger Image 10514329856
    via Hans Isaacson For Unsplash+

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

  • Her response was well its not like I'm asking a lot, its just the afternoons. I said it may not be a lot to her but it is a lot to me. My
    via Ok-Record2903
  • husband works from home and he needs the house quiet to work, and I'm a new mom and I'm not interested on taking on any
    via Ok_Record2903
  • other responsibilities other than what I have right now. She told me I was selfish, I told her she was entitled to think that I
    via Ok-Record2903
  • SHOULD help her just because I'm at home with my little one. AITAH for being so forward?
    via Ok_Record2903
  • Training-Fox2475 H I no NTA! It really gets me anymore how many of these selfish people in the world make a mark on someone just because they see something they could get from them and just expect it. When they don't get what they want, they always throw out the selfish label and throw a tantrum. What the h I is wrong with people like this?
    via Training-Fox2475
  • KronkLaSworda NTA Everyone knows how expensive childcare is. She's just trying to take advantage of you and guilt trip you into baby sitting.
    via KronkLaSworda
  • busyshrew Absolutely NTA. I was a SAHM, and I remember to this day, getting advice from another SAHM - She warned me that I would be a target for many other moms who would look at me as easy babysitting.
    via busyshrew
  • OP, stand absolutely firm. You and your husband are making sacrifices for you to stay home. It's not easy. I get it I've been there. Friends used to absolutely tut-tut at me because we had no dishwasher, only 1 car, only 1 tv and never took vacations overseas. It was hard but it was our choice.
    via busyshrew
  • You did not choose to open a daycare service, so do not feel bad about saying no. Learn to say it without getting drawn into justifications or reasoning with others. TRUST ME, this won't be the only occasion/person that will ask! You will have to really be firm and stand your ground.
    via busyshrew
  • This situation always makes me so mad. Every family is different and we need to respect each other, not call someone 'selfish' for their choices just because they don't want to accept a 'no'. ugggh.
    via busyshrew
  • Congratulations btw on your new baby.... ohhhh I remember those days with my daughter very fondly.
    via busyshrew
  • Medusa_7898 Def NTA- regular babysitting is a huge responsibility and you weren't looking for a part time job.
    via Medusa_7898
  • TararaBoomDA She's both the a_h_le and the one who's being forward. You, on the other hand, are the GOAT. NTA.
    via TararaBoomDA
  • JohnnyRock70 You are a better person than I am. I would've laughed hysterically, shut the door in her face, then I'd have opened it again, just to laugh at her some more, then every time I drove by her in the 'hood, I would rib my partner, point at her and laugh again.
    via JohnnyRock70

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Tags

aita neighbors sahm neighborhood drama kids neighborhood neighborhood-drama bad neighbors neighborhood-stories moms terrible neighbors Bad Neighbor Reddit raising kids mom children neighbor
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