Are grandparents and friends supposed to be free babysitters?

In all seriousness my family and coworkers seem to think this way. When it doesn't happen they get upset, act like it's terrible, and go on about how family and friends should have their back no matter what. Their parents and their friends have their own lives to live. It's annoying when they tried to force their responsibilities on me. What do you guys think?

Yes 2
No 15
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Comments ( 20 )
  • Nikclaire

    People with kids think everyone's lives revolve around their kids.

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    • howaminotmyself

      No they don't. You really shouldn't generalize like that.

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      • Nikclaire

        You literally just said, you expect family to take care of kids.

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        • howaminotmyself

          My comment was in reference to your comment about the world revolving around kids, not the expectations of family. This is why I replied to you directly and then made a separate comment on expectations. And while I expect grandma to watch my kid on occasion, I always ask if she is available first. This is called common courtesy. And yes, the concept is alive and well.

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  • charli.m

    Grandparents and family by mutual agreement for the odd occasions is reasonable as free babysitting. If someone's expecting their parents to watch their kids all the time, then I think it's only fair to offer some sort of compensation. Doesn't need to be money, but some acknowledgement that you're grateful for their time and care. If it's a part of the grandparents spending time with the grandkids, and they're ok for the parents to go elsewhere, or the grandparents are asking to look after the kids for a day, that's a different matter.

    Friends, it really depends.

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  • momgetthecamera

    Well if you ask for grandkids you should look after them too

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  • raisinbran

    Just put the kid in a box with air holes.

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  • leggs91200

    No one ever wanted to watch my kid.
    I ain't about to babysit.

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  • Aethylfritha

    Family? Maybe. Friends? No...unless they offer. I wouldn't try to dump my kids on a friend thats not cool.

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  • RoseIsabella

    I don't much care for babysitting. I have babysat for a couple of best friends, but it was literally only a couple of times. Good friends don't act like entitled jerks. I don't believe in all of that "it takes a village" stuff. I don't have any much of a natural maternal instinct to care for children, especially not other people's kids.

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  • JellyBeanBandit

    I've noticed that too. I can't believe that's almost becoming the norm now to expect things of people just cos you popped one out. That would never even cross my mind, it's so entitled (that word's thrown around a lot nowadays but it totally applies in this case). I'd feel so greedy even asking my parents to babysit for me for free.

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  • southernguy

    I believe that most grandparents cherish spending time with their little angels and wouldn't think of charging to babysit them. Friends that agree to babysit for you, should be offered pay for their service. Some might accept it, but others might do it because of their friendship with you.. You should take advantage of friends in that manner.

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  • howaminotmyself

    Family is expected but friends tend to be more of a trade situation. I watch yours, you watch mine. Equal exchange. This is part of your "village." However, if a babysitting favor turns into a caregiver situation, you should compensate in some way.

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  • litelander8

    “It takes a village” doesn’t exist a anymore. But it used to matter.

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    • Nikclaire

      It doesn't exist cause you'll get sued or arrested for yelling at someone else's kid.

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      • litelander8

        For sure. I think it’s the idea of being “set” in life before having kids. So everyone is having kids in their late 30s early 40s and they are sucky parents. As a server, I see it time and time again. Young parents don’t take shit from kids.

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    • howaminotmyself

      It exists. I have a "village" and I am grateful to have one. It takes work though. It didn't happen by accident.

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      • litelander8

        Same here.

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  • SkullsNRoses

    Grandparents yes- friends no.

    Expecting free childcare from your friend and throwing a wobbly if they decline is unreasonable, there’s a reason babysitters charge by the hour.

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  • --

    Family should be free, can't expect friends and others to watch ya std's for free.

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