If you were laid off would you watch your sister/brothers 2 kids for free? esp if you have 2 kids of your own?

just curious - my Dh just agreed to watch my BIL kids while they work- everyday from 9-5 He just left his full time job in Jan to watch our 2 kids and now his brother asked him cause they had a kid and he said yes!! and they are not paying him im not sure how I feel about this. Part of me is upset that they even asked him. He is great with kids but come on- he would have to watch 2 four yr olds, a 6month old and a 3month old all day.

Message edited 3/25/2010 5:33:16 PM.

Re: If you were laid off would you watch your sister/brothers 2 kids for free? esp if you have 2 kids of your own?

No way. I would do it on occasion when they needed help but not an every day type of situation.

Re: If you were laid off would you watch your sister/brothers 2 kids for free? esp if you have 2 kids of your own?

First, my DH can barely handle 1, can't imagine 4! I personally think that is a lot to ask of him. What if he has to leave the house? He can't leave with them all can he??? I would expect some sort of compensation...but that's just me.

Re: If you were laid off would you watch your sister/brothers 2 kids for free? esp if you have 2 kids of your own?

I would be upset if my DH offered to do that for free. Your DH will have to feed them & maybe take them out for excursions at times...especially with summer coming. His brother should have offered to pay him somethng knowing that he left his job & knowing that watching 4 kids all day will make you nuts.

Re: If you were laid off would you watch your sister/brothers 2 kids for free? esp if you have 2 kids of your own?

Wow, that's a lot of work. BUT the kids will play together and he won't have to do as much entertaining. Plus, presumably the four year olds will be off to kindergarten in September?

It is a lot to ask though, I would think they would pay you guys something.

Re: If you were laid off would you watch your sister/brothers 2 kids for free? esp if you have 2 kids of your own?

God bless him!!!!

I guess I would be upset only if any of the following happened:

1. My house was destroyed each and every day;

2. My own children were being suffering because of it in any way;

3. My DH was so downright tired and cranky that it began to affect our relationship.

It's one thing if it's your own children causing the above, but anyone elses and I would put the cabbosh to it.

Re: If you were laid off would you watch your sister/brothers 2 kids for free? esp if you have 2 kids of your own?

I don't know if I would. Thats a lot of work. They should pay at least a quarter of what regular day care would cost! imo. Is your husband looking for full time work again or planning to stay home a few years? If its just temporary its not that bad. If your in-laws are really struggling maybe thats different and your doing a huge favor.

it also cost money to babysit at home. When my mom did babysitting many years ago so much costs added up- mostly with feeding them, the ice cream man, when out in the community -they want something or you want to get your kid something so sometimes you feel bad and end up getting everybody a little something, using your own soap to wash them up when necessary, bandaids, tissues... If your on a budget that stuff really adds up with more kids in the house.

Re: If you were laid off would you watch your sister/brothers 2 kids for free? esp if you have 2 kids of your own?

I think that something has to give with that.

I mean, it pretty much restricts your DH to the house (four kids in car/booster seats?!?) five days a week from 9-5

Either they should compensate him in some way or he should do it part time.

Re: If you were laid off would you watch your sister/brothers 2 kids for free? esp if you have 2 kids of your own?

Posted by KateDevine

I think that something has to give with that.

I mean, it pretty much restricts your DH to the house (four kids in car/booster seats?!?) five days a week from 9-5

Either they should compensate him in some way or he should do it part time.

Re: If you were laid off would you watch your sister/brothers 2 kids for free? esp if you have 2 kids of your own?

No freaking way and shame on them for asking and not paying him!

Re: If you were laid off would you watch your sister/brothers 2 kids for free? esp if you have 2 kids of your own?

not on a regular basis

Re: If you were laid off would you watch your sister/brothers 2 kids for free? esp if you have 2 kids of your own?

I say let your DH do it. Once he realize how much work it is, I am sure he will not do it permanently.

Re: If you were laid off would you watch your sister/brothers 2 kids for free? esp if you have 2 kids of your own?

Helllllll NO

Re: If you were laid off would you watch your sister/brothers 2 kids for free? esp if you have 2 kids of your own?

No Way! That is A LOT of work!

Re: If you were laid off would you watch your sister/brothers 2 kids for free? esp if you have 2 kids of your own?

As others have said, I would only do it free as a "once in a while" thing. I would hope that if I were LAID OFF that they would offer to pay me!

That's nuts--the kids are just too small at this point! Would the two older ones be in school at all?

Re: If you were laid off would you watch your sister/brothers 2 kids for free? esp if you have 2 kids of your own?

OMG to me that is absolutely crazy. Even if he was being paid I would tell my DH no way in heck.

Re: If you were laid off would you watch your sister/brothers 2 kids for free? esp if you have 2 kids of your own?

Posted by nov04libride

Posted by KateDevine

I think that something has to give with that.

I mean, it pretty much restricts your DH to the house (four kids in car/booster seats?!?) five days a week from 9-5

Either they should compensate him in some way or he should do it part time.

ITA. How will he even go to the bathroom!?

Re: If you were laid off would you watch your sister/brothers 2 kids for free? esp if you have 2 kids of your own?

Hellll no! If that were my DH, he would be calling them up and telling them that after speaking with you, it's not what's best for your family.

Re: If you were laid off would you watch your sister/brothers 2 kids for free? esp if you have 2 kids of your own?

its family

So if I could manage it (which I must be honest, I know I couldnt) then I would.

Re: If you were laid off would you watch your sister/brothers 2 kids for free? esp if you have 2 kids of your own?

yes, in a heartbeat. My sister or sister-in-laws..

My SIL was out of work when DS was born and she watched Eddie for free when I was at work, she would never take money from us to do it. If I was ever not working, then I would do the same for either of them. But JUST for siblings anyway else I would expect to be paid by.

But this is one of those things thats to each his own bc every family dynamic is different.

Message edited 3/25/2010 6:58:31 PM.

Re: If you were laid off would you watch your sister/brothers 2 kids for free? esp if you have 2 kids of your own?

WOW - sounds like you got an awesome DH, who's an awesome bro too....

but with that being said - do you think that it will last after a full week or 2?? Maybe DH will "come to his senses" once he realizes how exhusting this idea is... I mean I know how exhasting it is with 1, and she's my own! So I couldn't even imagine 4

$$ should have been offered by BIL, but maybe they have another plan in store - who knows....

I wish you and DH lots of luck - keep us posted!!

Re: If you were laid off would you watch your sister/brothers 2 kids for free? esp if you have 2 kids of your own?

Yes, definitely. You ever hear that expression "It takes a village"? My family subscribes to that philosophy....We help each other out however we can.

Bless your DH!!! What a kind hearted man

Re: If you were laid off would you watch your sister/brothers 2 kids for free? esp if you have 2 kids of your own?

No- if I were a parent and wanted my laid off sibling to watch my kid- I would make him/her take money.

Re: If you were laid off would you watch your sister/brothers 2 kids for free? esp if you have 2 kids of your own?

No I would not and I think your bil has a set of you know what to ask...seriously - two kids and your own two!! I would ask DH to talk to him and say you both discussed it and decided it would be too much - what if he wanted to take both your kids out - would he be able to handle taking four out? Maybe you could say it would take from the things you wanted to have DH do with your own kids - also if one of your kids were sick would DH then had to lug all four kids to the doctor?

I would soften the blow by saying if they are ever in a bind that DH will take care of them ie. if the new childminder they hire ( and pay ) were sick or unable to care for the two kids then please feel free to ask and Dh will help out if he can.

Good luck

Re: If you were laid off would you watch your sister/brothers 2 kids for free? esp if you have 2 kids of your own?

Posted by Michmouse

Yes, definitely. You ever hear that expression "It takes a village"? My family subscribes to that philosophy....We help each other out however we can.

Bless your DH!!! What a kind hearted man