Entitled Mom Runs Into Legal Troubles After Demanding Woman Babysit For $3 An Hour

Asking someone in your family to help babysit is a classic right of passage. After all, it’s one of the great advantages of having a family, the ability to just get someone to help out now and then. Unfortunately, some families also operate under the assumption that they are actually entitled to free help all the time, without questions or reservations.

A woman asked the internet if she was wrong to cancel babysitting just 48 hours before the family needed her. As it turned out, there were a lot more details that she later shared, including family and legal drama.

It’s important to be able to tell your family no

Child playing with blocks on floor, phone on a marble table in focus, reflecting a babysitting scenario for low pay discussion.

Image credits:  charlesdeluvio / Unsplash (not the actual photo)

But one woman ended up in some drama when her extended family demanded she babysit for $3 an hour

Text discussion about babysitting request, $3 per hour, highlighting family dynamics and scheduling issues.

Text screenshot of babysitting story about low pay demands; mother returned late, paid $20, and dismissed babysitter.

Text from a conversation discussing babysitting arrangement.

Text discussing demands on a woman to babysit due to not having a job, mentions health issues affecting employment.

Woman looking thoughtful on a couch, considering babysitting offer for $3 an hour.

Image credits:  Blake Cheek / Unsplash (not the actual photo)

Text conversation about babysitting job details, discussing hours and pay. Woman offered $30 for nine-hour shifts, negotiates terms.

Text discussing low pay for babysitting includes tasks like caring for a child and dogs, and handling schoolwork issues.

Text from a conversation about babysitting, family issues, and low pay expectations.

Text excerpt about family drama and lack of respect, related to unfair babysitting demand.

A worried woman with hands on face, illustrating babysitting struggle.

Image credits: Daniel Martinez / Unsplash (not the actual photo)

Text questioning babysitting for $3 an hour, noting it's below minimum wage and communication issues with family.

Text discussing family demanding woman babysit for $3 an hour, questioning if canceling is appropriate.

She clarified some more details later

Text expressing conflict about babysitting for family at low pay.

Text discussing babysitting experience and volunteering in a community.

Text discussing family dynamics and work situations related to babysitting at $3 an hour.

Text discussing contact with family since 2014. Talks about meeting and family functions.

Text discussing family expectations regarding babysitting and perceived excuses for visiting.

Text about a family issue, person realizing they're being taken advantage of, needing to be assertive.

Upset woman covering face, related to babysitting demands.

Image credits: Getty Images / Unsplash (not the actual photo)

Text from a woman reflecting on self-worth and discussing family expectations.

Text update about babysitting pay discussion, acknowledging comments, and promising future results.

Text update expressing gratitude for advice and comments on babysitting job offer.

Man in blue shirt being comforted by a woman in green, related to babysitting job demand.

Image credits: SHVETS production / Pexels (not the actual photo)

She even made a full update afterwards

Text discussing family updates and personal goals with cats, related to babysitting issues and job expectations.

Family demands babysit for $3/hour, creating boundary issues and emotional strain in personal relationships.

Text about drama involving babysitting demands and email exchanges.

Text discussing local rates for childcare and impact on employment, reflecting a personal decision not to be a nanny.

Text discussing family demands for $3 an hour babysitting, expressing hope for mutual respect and help.

Text detailing an experience of low pay and family expectations, emphasizing struggle and gratitude for returned favors.

Text discussing family expectations and entitlement related to a babysitting request.

Text message about family and babysitting pay issues, emphasizing the importance of fair wages over familial obligation.

Image credits: Glittering_Pear8956

Some families believe that they can use people are free labor

Some families believe they are entitled to free babysitting from relatives because of the assumption that family should always help each other, no questions asked. In many cultures, there is a long-standing belief that raising children is a communal effort, and grandparents, aunts, uncles, or even older siblings are expected to pitch in without expecting compensation. Or, in the case of this story, compensation so inexplicably low, it’s roughly the same as being free.

For some, it feels natural to rely on family since they trust them more than outside help. However, this expectation can easily cross the line from occasional support to taking advantage of a relative’s time and generosity. One reason this entitlement exists is that childcare is expensive, and family seems like a convenient solution.

Parents may feel that if a grandparent is retired or a sibling has a flexible schedule, they have the time to help, and therefore should. They might rationalize that family members are not losing money by babysitting, so it’s not a burden. This mindset often overlooks the fact that time is valuable, regardless of whether it translates directly into income. For example, in this story, the woman is only tangentially connected to the family, yet they seem to truly feel entitled to her time, particularly since she is unemployed and, in their view, perpetually free.

Image credits: Getty Images / Unsplash (not the actual photo)

Entitlement takes all sorts of shapes and forms

Another factor is the assumption that family bonds naturally come with sacrifice. Some parents believe that because they would do anything for their family, the same should be true in reverse. While love and support are part of healthy family relationships, it doesn’t mean people should feel obligated to rearrange their lives for someone else’s convenience. When this expectation is treated as a right rather than a favor, it can create resentment, especially if the same relatives are repeatedly leaned on without acknowledgement or gratitude.

In some cases, guilt and manipulation play a role. Parents might remind family members that spending time with the kids is “family bonding” or that helping out is “just what family does.” While spending time with nieces, nephews, or grandchildren can be rewarding, feeling pressured to babysit under the guise of family duty makes it less about quality time and more about fulfilling an obligation.

Ultimately, healthy family dynamics require mutual respect. Free babysitting is a generous offer, not an entitlement. When families treat it as a privilege rather than a right, and show appreciation for the time and effort given, relationships are more likely to remain positive and supportive.

However, that is not what happens here. Unfortunately, the moment the story seems to take a more interesting turn, the legal ramifications lead the woman to stop posting details. The account has not added anything in half a decade, so it’s best to hope that she resolved the issue and got the family off her back in the end.

Most people saw her side of things

Comment on unfair babysitting rates, suggesting finding another babysitter to avoid being taken advantage of.

Text conversation about unrealistic expectations for babysitting rates.

Comment criticizing low babysitting pay rate and questioning assumptions based on employment status.

Reddit comment reading "NTA, they are using you" related to babysitting for low pay.

Reddit comment about quitting an underpaid job, related to babysitting.

Reddit comment discussing low babysitting pay of $3/hour and the family's unreasonable expectations.

Screenshot of a comment discussing an unfair babysitting situation related to jobless status.

Comment criticizing low babysitting pay proposal and discussing respect issues.

Text debates $3 babysitting wage compared to inflation and minimum wage.

Text discussing family conflicts and valuing leisure time, emphasizing personal boundaries and self-care.

Text discussing retirement and working life, highlighting babysitting as a job from age 11.

Text discussing the value of personal time and enjoying life without responsibilities.

Comment response about family demanding low babysitting pay, describing them as unreasonable.

Comment about inconsiderate family demanding babysitting at low pay.

Reddit comment criticizing low babysitting pay and lack of consent.

Text comment discussing babysitting demands and standing up for oneself.

Text comment discussing babysitting rates, mentioning $3 an hour being low but comparable to daycare costs.

Screenshot of a Reddit comment discussing babysitting pay, highlighting childcare as a compensated job.

Comment about family demanding woman babysit for low pay, suggesting they seek a servant.

Reddit comment discussing fair nanny wages compared to low babysitting payment request.

Reddit comment advising against babysitting for entitled family at low pay.

She had a final update later

Text about babysitting dispute and legal troubles shared as an update.

Text exchange about a family demanding a woman babysit for $3 an hour, highlighting her refusal to accept the job.

Text about babysitting drama and family demands, involving ignored calls and social media posts.

Text discussing a family's demand for a woman to babysit for $3 an hour, highlighting an ugly situation.

Text discussing decisions about prioritizing self and fiancé over family expectations.

Text conveying moving away from family, seeking better living situation, and avoiding demands to babysit.

Text appreciation, thanking advice-givers for the journey, emphasizing strength gained from the experience.

Image credits: Glittering_Pear8956

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