Moocher Moms Trying to Get Free Babysitting by Bringing ALL Their Kids to Play

Ridiculous! Tell her, "My house is simply not equipped for so many young children, and I alone can not adequately supervise all of these children by myself." It is important for children to have their own identities and friends.

That's never happened to me, but if it did, I'd be pretty annoyed! And, unfortunately for that child, that would be the last time he/she was invited to my house. Unbelievably rude behavior from that parent!

That is so wrong! And tacky!

I don't let them do that (unless it's a really good friends and it's set up for that purposefully). If it's just a playdate, only the child(ren) invited are allowed to stay unless the M. is staying too and then it can be unavoidable at times to have the rest of the siblings. But I certainly do not provide free day care in situations like this.

I usually set up playdates with moms I enjoy hanging out with, so I don't often have this situation, thankfully.

Yes, happened with a neighbor M.. Invited one of the daughters (kindergarten age) to play with my daughter but their M. and dad insisted that all of the kids have to come over or they will never hear the end of the other 3 siblings' whining. One of the kids was a 3-year old who still needs a parent present to teach her the rules about sharing, not using other people's lip gloss, not going into my bedroom and through my drawers, etc. In all honesty, all of the neighbor's kids were unruly, sassy and undisciplined. I don't think either one of their parents have ever been present for any of their playdates.

I knew I had enough when I caught myself hissing through clenched teeth to my husband, "I have never said I wanted 6 kids! Have you ever heard me say that I wanted to have 6 kids!?! I do not know why I have to be forced to take care of 6 kids (my 2 + neighbor's 4) like this!" Luckily my husband is more of the diplomat and was able to tell the neighbor that the playdate situation was not working out for me.

What gets me is that I have 2 children, a girl and a boy who are just 14 months apart, both similar in age to the neighbor's children. When they call over because one of their daughters wants to play with my daughter, I have never once considered bringing both of my children over. That's just rude.

Ugh I hate that!! I would kindly tell her that will not work for you.

I had a little different situation where one of my son's classmate would ride his bike up to our house to play, he would come over 3 times a week after school and then all weekend he'd be there too. I didn't mind having him over, the boys had a great time playing together.
Well my problem was that when it was my son's turn to go to their house, she wouldn't let the boys inside the house! They had to play outside. Well good grief they can't ride their bikes around for 3-4 hours. She just didn't want them in the house because they were 'too loud'. Ok , so just tell them to tone it down.
It was completely fine with her if her son came to our house for hours at a time, but my son couldn't even step foot inside their house. I felt taken advantage of. In addition to the boys not being able to play inside, she would allow her son to spend the night at our home but THEY don't have sleepovers because their house is 'too small'. Ok whatever.......
Sighhhh.......so I put a stop to that. I got tired of being a babysitter.

You insist back and say NO.

The M. "insists" that the siblings come over? I would say, "I'm sorry if you misunderstood, but no, I'm not offering babysitting, I'm offering to host a playdate for my daughter. We're inviting X only, I am not interested in having more children over at the same time. If you aren't OK with just dropping X off for the playdate, I'll have to ask my child to invite another friend over. Maybe another time we can all meet up at the park or pool and all the kids can play together."

Yes, we had a similar situation. The child (elementary aged) was not allowed to go anywhere without her toddler sibling!! How ridiculous! Sadly, we had to quit having the child over :-( They had been such good friends. I felt so bad for the other child. Their previously intense friendship drifted apart.

I thought at playdates the moms stay? I assumed that playdates were a way to get to know other moms and become friends...
I would tell her that you are not a babysitting service and if she wants all her kids there then she has to stay and watch them. She definitely sounds like she is trying to get free babysitting... how rude and trashy.

It really is sad that their daughters suffer because of these selfish moms (the 2 who are doing it)... I would make it plain when I invite the little girl "I've heard about you trying to insist all the siblings so just know up front the answer is no, I'm only inviting _____ to play." I mean it's still one less child these pawn-off parents have to watch.

People are RUDE. I can't tell you how often my daycare parents think I should just pony up a few extra hours on one of their days off so they can get their nails done and they DON'T want to pay for another day of work. I got so tired of people giving me grief, ugly stares, and complaining that I don't desire to provide an hourly rate for extra services, I just started letting them take an extra day in exchange for some day they missed a long the way.

I know it's not the same. But it feels the same. People really want to be able to get out and shop by themselves or take a nap and they don't want to pay for it. I can't believe you fell for it! LOL

Thats ridiculous! If she insists, I'd say "maybe another time then when just _____ can come to play with my daughter"
After people quit inviting her child over, maybe she'll get the hint!

I don't think it's out of line for you to say, I simply don't feel comfortable watching that many kids at once.. I especially think it's difficult when they are not your own kids, with your own kids, you know their patterns and habits... but with ones you are seldom around, it's very tough.. tell her no...

One of life's blows is that "life is not fair." Kids need to learn that sometimes one sibling gets something that they don't. This INCLUDES play dates. I think this parent is just taking advantage of your free sitting services! It will be interesting to see if your TWO get invited over to their house together. But, I wouldn't hold my breath on that one!!!

Why do people think that siblings are a package deal? Your child is not friends with the younger siblings at school, just the one. Just say no. I've never even heard of that. That has never happened out where I live. My younger daughter sometimes gets her feelings hurt when my oldest goes to sleepovers or something. But, I, as her mother, explain to her that her sister is spending time with HER friends. They all need to learn to be individuals, and they can't do that if they're always considered a package deal. Crazy stuff!

Woah! No way! Just call them on it. Say, "Oh, by the way, I can't watch your younger (2, 3) I have some reading to do while the older kids play."
or
"I can't watch all 5 kids, sorry".

If you make it clear and simple, it shows how preposterous it is. I have dropped off all of mine with one good friend who always babysits tons of kids, but ONLY after she insists that I leave them (after I say, "No really, I don't mind taking them with me" and she says, "No, just leave them, it's fine") AND I pay her! (She says, "No, don't pay me, I invited them" and I say, "SHUT UP YOU WATCHED 5 KIDS!") And I leave the money on the table.
Its our little dance.

I would tell her that the invited child can be dropped off but younger children can stay only if she is staying as well. Tell her you are not comfortable watching that many young children at once.

Now, if she needs to run to the store quickly (like to get gas in the car or something) there is nothing wrong with that once in a while.

Updated

I would tell her that the invited child can be dropped off but younger children can stay only if she is staying as well. Tell her you are not comfortable watching that many young children at once.

Now, if she needs to run to the store quickly (like to get gas in the car or something) there is nothing wrong with that once in a while.

That's crazy. and I really love the kids that invite themselves and then ask to stay for dinner!