“Am I Wrong For Bringing My Friend’s Kids To Her After Babysitting Date Goes Too Long?”

Everyone deserves to take breaks from work. You should have an hour in the middle of the day to enjoy your lunch and decompress, free evenings to focus on your hobbies and weekends to spend with loved ones. 

But not all jobs can provide this much flexibility. If you’re a parent, for example, you’re probably never going to get a day off. You can, however, hire a babysitter to get a few hours to yourself, as long as you return to your kids at the agreed upon time. One man recently reached out to Reddit for advice after he had to track down a friend who left her kids in his care for almost an entire day. Below, you’ll find all the details, as well as some of the replies invested readers shared.

This man agreed to help out a friend by babysitting her kids

Man wearing glasses looks frustrated while talking on the phone, illustrating babysitting and going MIA situations.

Image credits: Prostock-studio / Envato (not the actual photo)

But when he still had the children hours after she said she’d be home, he decided that he’d had enough

Text about a mom asking her friend to babysit while she has lunch, then going missing for hours afterward.

Mom asks friend to babysit during lunch but goes missing for hours, leaving friend worried and confused.

Mom asks friend to babysit during lunch, who then goes missing for hours with no response to texts or calls.

Text describing a mom asking her friend to babysit, then going MIA for hours while her phone is on do not disturb.

Text showing frustration as a mom asks her friend to babysit but the friend goes missing without response.

Two women enjoying lunch with wings and fries, illustrating a mom asking her friend to babysit during mealtime.

Image credits: Yakov_Oskanov / Envato (not the actual photo)

Text describing a worried mom reaching out about babysitting and someone going MIA for hours.

Text describing a mom asking her friend to babysit during lunch, then going missing for several hours.

Text excerpt with kids running inside to hug their mom, depicting a babysitting and mom lunch scenario.

Text conversation showing Claudia apologizing for losing track of time while babysitting, highlighting babysitting and time lapse.

Text excerpt about a mom upset after asking her friend to babysit while she goes for lunch and then disappears.

Text on white background saying a person questions why their friend didn’t answer calls after babysitting and going missing for hours.

Text excerpt about a mom asking her friend to babysit then going MIA for hours after having lunch.

Text excerpt describing a mom lying to her friend babysitting and going MIA for hours without answering calls.

Text conversation showing a woman questioning another about going uninvited and involving her sister while babysitting.

Woman pointing accusingly at man who looks apologetic during a tense conversation about babysitting responsibility.

Image credits: Prostock-studio / Envato (not the actual photo)

Mom asks friend to babysit during lunch but unexpectedly goes missing for hours, causing worry and tension.

Text on white background reading things she said I could’ve prevented if I was just a bit more patient with her, referring to babysitting situation

Text excerpt discussing a mom asking a friend to babysit and then going missing for hours.

Image credits: friendlytap01

Babysitters can be lifesavers for moms and dads

Image credits: Andrej Lišakov / Unsplash (not the actual photo)

Babysitters can be absolute game changers for parents. As much as mom and dads love their little ones, there are times when they want to be able to go out for a nice dinner and have adult conversations without having to worry about whether or not the restaurant serves chicken tenders. And sometimes, parents just need a few hours to enjoy some silence or run errands by themselves. Their kiddos probably don’t want to be dragged along to every appointment anyway.

According to Kidsit, the average American family spends at least $1,000 on babysitting every year, and a third of parents of young kids hire babysitters once or twice a month. Meanwhile, one in six parents hires a babysitter on a weekly basis. 

It’s also important to note that having a babysitter around doesn’t only benefit the parents. Yes, it allows them more flexibility in their schedules, but it can also be great for their children. Having a babysitter is a great opportunity for kids to bond with someone who isn’t a family member, and it’s a wonderful way for them to learn some independence, especially if they haven’t started school yet.

But it’s usually a good idea to hire a professional babysitter, rather than simply calling up a friend or relative. Kidsit notes that this usually leads to less drama, as parents can give specific instructions to someone they’ve hired without worrying about what opinions they may have on the kids’ bedtime or what they’re eating for dinner.

It can also be even safer to hire a babysitter that you only have a professional relationship with because they’ll likely know first aid, have CPR training, know how to use an Epi-Pen and won’t hesitate to reach out to the parents in an emergency. 

To keep a babysitter, parents must respect them and their time

Image credits: Brooke Cagle / Unsplash (not the actual photo)

When trying to find a sitter who’s a good fit for your family, however, it’s not just about what the parents think of the sitter. It’s also about what they think of the parents. Just like any other job, it’s going to be extremely frustrating if your boss doesn’t let you leave on time, doesn’t pay you fairly and doesn’t communicate clearly with you.

To keep a great babysitter, RaisingChildren.net notes that parents should make sure that they’re comfortable in the house. Give them a thorough tour, and let them know that they’re free to use blankets and pillows, eat snacks from the fridge, use the microwave and TV, etc. Write down any important information and/or phone numbers, and place it on the fridge or somewhere else that’s easily accessible. 

Be clear about exactly when you’ll be home and how much you’ll be paying the sitter. And if there are any changes to your plans, communicate them as soon as possible. It’s understandable to get stuck in traffic or held up at a concert every now and then, but this shouldn’t become a habit. And it’s crucial to show your sitter the respect they deserve by letting them know as soon as your ETA changes.

In this particular story, the author was only a friend of the mother. But if he had been a babysitter, he might not have had any way of getting in touch with the mom, leaving him stuck with her children for who knows how long. 

We would love to hear your thoughts on this situation, pandas. Do you think the author made the right call by tracking down his friend? Then, if you’d like to check out another Bored Panda article featuring similar babysitting drama, look no further than right here. 

Readers assured the man that he did nothing wrong by tracking down the mother, and many noted that this should be the end of their friendship

Comment about mom asking friend to babysit, then going MIA and being inconsiderate by not communicating for hours.

Screenshot of an online comment discussing a situation where a mom asks her friend to babysit then disappears for hours.

Screenshot of a Reddit comment about friends not lying or taking advantage of favors while babysitting.

Screenshot of a Reddit comment discussing frustration over a babysitting friend going MIA for hours.

Babysitting conflict highlighted in text where mom goes MIA for hours after asking friend to watch kids.

Screenshot of an online discussion about a mom asking her friend to babysit then going MIA for hours.

Comment on babysitting experience, discussing a mom asking her friend to babysit before going MIA for hours.

Screenshot of a forum comment warning about a mom who asks a friend to babysit then goes missing for hours.

Comment discussing a mom who asked a friend to babysit then went missing for hours without notice.

Comment about babysitting and child abandonment in a discussion about a mom asking her friend to babysit then going MIA.

Comment discussing a mom asking a friend to babysit and then going missing for hours, showing frustration with waiting.

Screenshot of a text discussion about a mom asking a friend to babysit then going MIA for hours.

Comment discussing babysitting responsibility after mom asks friend to watch kids and goes missing for hours.

Screenshot of a Reddit comment discussing a mom asking her friend to babysit then going missing for hours.

Screenshot of an online comment discussing a friend asked to babysit and then going missing for hours.

Comment discussing the frustration of a mom ghosting her babysitter and not communicating during babysitting hours.

Screenshot of a Reddit comment discussing a mom asking a friend to babysit then going missing for hours.

Screenshot of a Reddit comment criticizing a mom who asked a friend to babysit then went missing for hours.

Screenshot of a comment discussing a mom asking her friend to babysit, then going missing for hours during lunch.

Comment text on a social platform discussing a mom asking her friend to babysit and then going missing for hours.

Screenshot of a social media comment discussing babysitting and a mom going MIA for hours after asking a friend to watch her kids.

Comment text about babysitting and concerns during a mom’s lunch, emphasizing contact and responsibility.

Text post from Reddit user HelpfulMaybeMama disagreeing with a mom who took advantage of a friend asked to babysit.

Screenshot of online comment discussing a mom asking her friend to babysit, then going missing for hours.

Screenshot of an online comment discussing babysitting and a stunt related to a mom asking her friend to babysit.

Screenshot of an online forum comment discussing a babysitting situation where the mom goes MIA for hours.

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