My Neighbor Took Advantage of My Babysitting—Until I Turned the Tables with a Clever Plan!

My Neighbor Constantly Asked to Babysit Her Kid, but She Refused When I Once Asked Her to Look after Mine, So I Got Creative

For months, my entitled neighbor expected me to watch her kids for free, but when I needed her, that’s when? radio silence. I then understood that kindness has its boundaries. I drew the line with a twist that she never saw coming because I went a little too inventive.

Being a mother is a wonderful adventure that is full of highs and lows, joy and sorrow. But what happens if someone takes advantage of your maternal instincts? when people think that you’re always available to serve as their personal, unpaid nanny just because you’re a stay-at-home mother? Hello, my name is Annie, and I have an incredible tale to share with you.

Imagine living in a quiet, suburban community where peace and quiet are the norm. Do you recognize the type? Gorgeous lawns, kind waves from passing motorists, and block celebrations that stop promptly at nine o’clock at night.

That was my little piece of heaven—quiet and devoid of drama. Up to Hurricane Megan making landfall next door.

Megan came in and walked out like she owned the place. She exuded confidence and carried a high-end purse, she embodied the word “extra.”

Do not misunderstand me. Respect is the only thing I have for lone mothers. It’s a challenging job. However, Megan? She treated being a single mother as if she was entitled to everyone’s time and attention. particularly mine.

It seems that Megan had me as her specific target for free daycare.

“Hey! “Hello, I’m Megan,” she chirped, a half-smile barely visible. “And this is my daughter, Lily.”

Tommy, my son, was bouncing on my shoulder. It’s good to meet you! Tommy is this small guy, and my name is Annie.”

Megan’s gaze brightened. “Oh, so you spend the day at home? That’s very impressive! I have been searching for a trustworthy person to watch Lily. You know, my job schedule is really insane!”

I ignored the slight uneasiness I felt. “Well, I’m usually pretty busy with Tommy, but if you need help in an emergency, I can try.”

Megan grinned more broadly. “How kind of you! We’ll make wonderful buddies, I’m sure.”

I turned to Tommy as she went away, leaving tiny Lily with me. It appears that we have new neighbors, buddy. How do you feel?”

Tommy groped for my hair, gurgling. If only I had realized what I was about to embark upon.

After a few weeks, I had reached my breaking point. Megan’s “emergencies” were happening almost every day now.

Even as my discomfort increased, I dismissed it. Mothers need to support one another, right? However, one favor quickly multiplied to two, 10, and eventually I lost track.

When the doorbell rang, I let out a moan. “Tommy, want to bet who that is?”

When I opened the door, Lily was with Megan, who was impeccably styled. “Annie, you’ve saved my life! I have this crucial meeting coming up. I take it you can watch Lily?”

I wavered. “Megan, I’ve got a lot on my plate today and I can’t—”

“It will only take a few hours,” she cut Lily off, having already ushered her inside. “You’re the best!”

She left me with two kids and an increasing amount of frustration before I could object.

Lily held up a drawing of red and pink hearts and gave me a huge, hopeful look. “Can we play dress-up, Annie?”

I forced a grin as I moaned. Yes, my dear. Let’s head out to get some outfits.

I couldn’t help but wonder how long I could continue this while I watched the youngsters play.

Imagine this: You’re knee deep in alphabet chants and diapers and loving every second you have with your child. Then your neighbor comes knocking on the door once more, grinning and making the same old plea.

Annie, could you please be a sweetheart and watch Lily for a couple of hours? While I get my nails done, I’m sure you wouldn’t mind keeping an eye on her.”

I kept an eye on everything—hair appointments, shopping excursions, spa days—while babysitting. FOR FREE.

Don’t get me wrong, though. I adore children. However, there’s a thin line separating good neighborliness from doormat behavior. And people, I felt like I had the word “Welcome” tattooed on my forehead.

Tuesday was the final straw. I was midway through an online doctor’s appointment when Megan suddenly interrupted, followed closely by Lily.

“Annie, there’s a crisis! I had to get to the hair salon. Please keep an eye on Lily.”

With my doctor’s voice still echoing in my ears, I stared at her with wide eyes. “Megan, I’m in the middle of—”

“Thanks, you’re a doll!” And then she was gone without warning.

I glanced back at my computer, and my doctor appeared perplexed. “Everything okay, Annie?”

I chuckled without humor. Simple and easy. Where were we at this point?”

I vented to my husband Dan that evening. “She’s fantastic! She simply thinks I’m available all the time.”

Dan scowled. “Honey, you must establish some limits. Tommy and you both don’t deserve this.”

“You’re accurate. I’m putting my foot down the next time she asks.”

I had no idea that my opportunity would arrive sooner than anticipated.

Dan and I had a doctor’s visit the next week. I reasoned that this was the ideal chance to ask Megan for a favor.

Hopes high, I knocked on her door. Megan responded, appearing irritated by the disruption.

“Hi, Megan. Dan and I have a doctor’s appointment, I hate to ask. Could you spend an hour watching Tommy? It would be greatly appreciated.

Megan twisted her face. “Aw, Annie. It truly bothers me to observe other people’s children. You know, it’s just… stressful. And you do realize that I need some “me time”?”

Just stunned, I stood there. Could she not spare even an hour after everything I’d done for her?

Yes! I fully comprehend.”

“Well, normally I’d charge $20 an hour, but for you, let’s say $15.”

Her mouth fell open. “Fifteen bucks per hour? That is completely crazy! That is beyond my means!”

I gave a fake sympathetic shrug. “I understand that daycare these days is really costly. That’s the reason it’s critical to locate helpful persons. Do you not think?

Megan’s complexion flushed. “I’ll figure something out.”

I couldn’t help but feel a hint of joy as she stormed off. At last, the roles were reversed.

In the ensuing weeks, I accepted my position as a “professional” babysitter wholeheartedly. I used to reply to Megan’s requests for favors with fictitious invoices and rate sheets.

She arrived to pick up Lily one afternoon five minutes late. I gave her a piece of paper and a grin.

“Megan, this is your invoice. Remember to include the late pick-up fee!”

Her angry expression twisted as she grabbed the paper. “This is absurd! You’re just an avaricious witch!”

I arched an eyebrow. “Excuse me?”

“You have no right to charge me after all the times I’ve done favors for you!”

I couldn’t contain my laughter. “CHORES? Similar like when I asked you to watch Tommy for an hour and you said that you didn’t feel at ease with other people’s children?

“That is… that is unique! I’m a mother by myself. I have a lot on my plate.”

I shot back, “And I’m a stay-at-home mom running a business.” “We’re all busy, Megan.”

She stormed off, grabbing Lily’s hand and leaving me feeling both empowered and guilty at the same time.

Within the neighborhood, word of my “babysitting business” swiftly spread. Not that I intended to, but soon other mothers approached me to share their experiences with Megan.

Another neighbor, Chelsea, saw me at the mailbox. “You’re a genius, Annie! All of a sudden, Megan stopped asking me to watch Lily when I started charging her too.”

I chuckled. “Are you serious? I believed myself to be the only one.

Chelsea gave a headshake. “She’s been attempting this with everyone, oh no. However, right now? She can no longer find someone to assist her without charge.”

I watched Megan pull into her driveway while we were chatting. She gave us a sneer and then slammed the door of her car and walked inside.

I looked over at Chelsea. “I almost feel bad.”

“Avoid! She had to understand that she cannot take advantage of others.”

I watched Megan’s house and nodded. “I guess you’re right.”

After a few weeks, I scarcely saw Megan at all. The incessant tapping had ceased, and a strange silence descended upon our small community.

I noticed her fumbling with groceries one evening as I was watering my front lawn. I contemplated helping for a moment. Then I thought back to all the times Mom had abandoned me.

“Some people need to carry the heavy weight of their actions!” I ignored her, grumbled, and turned around.

Before long, Megan was in a tight spot. She received rate cards or the response “Sorry, I’m just too busy!” each time she sought for assistance with babysitting.

She became frustrated when she discovered she had to pay for a professional sitter and could no longer rely on “FREE” favors.

And that’s it for now, people. Was it trivial? Maybe a little bit. Was it fulfilling? Of course! However, sometimes the best retaliation is to develop good communication and boundary-setting skills. Have you ever dealt with a neighbor who felt entitled? How did you respond to the circumstance? Post your tales in the comments section!