Monday, July 30, 2007

A little bitchy

I just got an email from a neighbor of ours who's got 2 kids, one of whom was a classmate of Sister's last year. His email was short. He basically wanted to know when was a convenient time for his daughter to come to our house this week and play so he could take his son on an outing.

Sigh.

There was no "please," no "Would it be okay if...." Just, his daughter would like to come play at our house this week and when could she do that. I like this family fine, but his email just rubs me the wrong way.

Reminds me of trying to be one of the co-leaders of Sister's Girl Scout troop last year and getting almost zero help from the girls' parents. Is it just the fact that I slept so poorly last night and am feeling particularly cranky, or are there lots of people out there who think that stay-at-home moms have nothing better to do than to run a free, drop-in babysitting service for their kids?

6 comments:

Joan said...

It's rude, rude, and more rude. It would be one thing if he was in a bind and needed childcare for a doctor's appointment.
I personally haven't run into that problem. My friend jokes that it is because I don't like children. She has felt like she's running a free daycare at times.

Mama D said...

That is rude. And you have a right to be pissed. Tell him you're busy!

Unknown said...

Bad form. I would have appreciated a "please".
My mama taught me that we never invite ourselves over to someone elses house.

cubmommy said...

That is just plain rude. Where has having manners gone?

Angel said...

I think it's the latter....

if you are a stay-at-home mom, then you have ALL the time in the world to watch other people's kids...and eat bon bons all day and watch soap operas....

gggrrrrrrr

Manhattan Mama said...

Give me a break. That is ridiculously rude. But it happens to working mom's as well -- especially those of us home in afternoons and have other moms who use us as their afternoon break time.

I think Annie is right. You don't invite yourself -- or your child over to someone else's house. You want a playdate for your child? You host it. And then hopefully, that invitation is one day returned.

You want someone to watch your daughter while you take your son on an outing? That's what babysitters are for.