Woman refuses to continue casual babysitting for her coworker's young daughter, after she turns up 4 hours late to fetch her because she went to happy hour with their other coworkers: 'Finally at 9:45pm Sandra shows up. I was furious'

Author image for Emma Saven
Emma Saven
Jan 15, 2026 9:00 AM EST

Perhaps this is the reason we should keep our work-lives and our personal-lives separate…

It's essential to realize, no matter in which context of life you're addressing, that just because you are a giver…does certainly not mean that everyone else is! Some people are simply just takers, some even unashamedly so. And in many areas of life, we are forced to deal with these said people, but the workplace shouldn't be one of them…And combining that with the intricacies of your personal life? A recipe for disaster. 

The office is the place you enter around 8 am and leave around 5 pm (if you're lucky)…So, according to, no matter how connected you feel to your coworkers, you should leave the majority of those relationships and the door. Because if you don't, it can begin affecting your work, making those 9-5's more difficult to bear. If we're sounding unclear, and you're more of a storytelling-type learner, we'll give you the perfect example as to why learning to say no to your coworkers, both inside and outside the office, is important!

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  • This woman seems to think that after a few polite acceptances of watching her 6-year-old daughter, that her coworking is running a daycare program, just for her. However, her coworker is starting to regret ever agreeing to look after her, not because she doesn't adore the child, but based on the fact that her coworker has blatantly begun taking advantage of the whole arrangement. 

    What started as a few valid excuses soon turned into this mother showing up four hours late to pick up her child from her colleague's house. An “essential” happy hour that turned from one hour into four. Now she's refusing to look after her daughter in the single mom's “time of need.” She pities the kid, of course, but she is not a daycare service, and certainly didn't sign up to play mother to her coworker's kid. 

    Regardless of how desperately the other coworkers are trying to insert their opinions into the situation, she has made her choice. And if they feel so bad for this single mother and her “busy” schedule, they can be the next to volunteer their babysitting services. Because she's done! 

  • Young girl sitting on her mother's lap while she's busy working
    via africa-images

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • AITJ for refusing to babysit for my coworker anymore after she was 4 hours late picking up her kid

    I work with this woman "Sandra" (36F) and we're friendly at work. She's a single mom with a 6 year old daughter "Emma." A few months ago Sandra asked if I (25F) could watch Emma after school sometimes when she had to work late.
    via UnlikelyPerformer452
  • I said sure, I like kids and it seemed like a nice thing to do. At first it was great - I'd watch Emma from 3pm to 6pm, Sandra would pick her up, usually gave me like $40-50 which was generous.
    via UnlikelyPerformer452
  • Emma is sweet and easy to watch. But Sandra started being later and later. First it was 6:30pm, then 7pm, always with apologies and excuses.
    via UnlikelyPerformer452
  • Last Tuesday she texted at 5pm saying she'd be "a bit late." Emma and I had dinner, watched a movie, I gave her a bath.
    via UnlikelyPerformer452
  • 8pm rolls around, no Sandra. I texted multiple times, no response. Finally at 9:45pm Sandra shows up.
    via UnlikelyPerformer452
  • I was furious. Emma had school the next day and was exhausted. Sandra's excuse? She went to happy hour with coworkers and "lost track of time." She didn't even seem that sorry, just handed me $60 and said "thanks so much!" I told her I can't watch Emma anymore and she got really upset.
    via UnlikelyPerformer452
  • A young child sleeping peacefully in her bed.
    via truecreatives

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • Said I'm "abandoning" her and she "depends on me." Other coworkers are now saying I should give her another chance because being a single mom is hard.
    via UnlikelyPerformer452
  • But she literally went to happy hour and forgot about her kid at my house for almost 4 hours?
    via UnlikelyPerformer452
  • That's not an emergency. AITJ for refusing to babysit anymore? TL;DR: Coworker kept being late picking up her kid, last time was 4 hours late because she went to happy hour and forgot, I said I won't babysit anymore, coworkers think I'm being harsh.
    via UnlikelyPerformer452
  • Ballamookieofficial Sounds like the other co-workers are volunteering to watch the kid. NTJ
    via Ballamookieofficial
  • OP UnlikelyPerformer452 I just hope so.. Emma is a good girl. She kind of became close to me but I dont like how Sandra is just lying about things and forget her daughter like that
    via UnlikelyPerformer452
  • Jheritheexoticdancer You owe no explanation or obligation to this woman. And... turn off the office drama support club.
    via Jheritheexoticdancer
  • OP UnlikelyPerformer452 Makes sense.. I guess I'd do just that and dont give a fck abt them
    via UnlikelyPerformer452
  • Dependent-Union4802 No-plus, she goes to happy hour and then picks up her kid? Driving after drinking? I wouldn't want to have anything to do with this
    via Dependent-Union4802
  • FreeReflection5259 Ok those co workers who think it's No big deal can watch her kid, problem solved!
    via FreeReflection5259
  • Two coworkers discussing a business plan in the office
    via Ivan S

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • Tamekyaa That's exactly what it sounds like to me she have multiple people now she should be good
    via Tamekyaa
  • SnooGrapes 169 As a single mom to a young child, she is COMPLETELY in the wrong and took your help for granted. If she wanted help so much, and depended on you as bad as she claims, she wouldn't have risked losing your support by her blatant disrespect and disregard for your time. Shes a whole mother but can't communicate or even care to check in on how her child is doing. Shes a crappy responsible parent and person, you did the right thing for advocating for yourself and setting boundaries.
    via SnooGrapes169
  • Substantial-Type-131 NTJ As a former nanny who was manipulated in a similar way and stayed because I loved the kid. GET OUT NOW. This was the testing ground for her and it only gets worse. It's always "easier to ask for forgiveness than permission" if she had respect for you she'd have asked if you were comfortable staying late and offered way more money. Don't let coworkers guilt you. It's not their place. If they felt that bad they'd be offering to watch her kid.
    via Substantial-Type-131
  • Vegetable_Peak8918 This was my exact same thought! Oh, okay so you guys wanna help pitch in and help now too! And you are NOT obligated to do anything for anyone. She took advantage. FAFO
    via Vegetable_Peak8918
  • bino0526 Definitely NTJ but your coworker is. You DON'T OWE her to put your life on hold while she is out having a good time!!!!. She's USING you. If she was honest then the situation would be different. Her actions are unfair to you and, especially to Emma. Don't feel guilty about not keeping Emma. Updateme
    via bino0526

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