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For parents, findingchildcareis one of the most difficult tasks of having kids.

Some parents cant even work full time because of it.

Family members can sometimes help, but it should never be done against their own wishes.

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Parents trust family members with childcare because they trust them.

Somefamilymembers might expect that favors andacts of kindnessare a given between families.

When a sibling asks to babysit their kids, we might agree without thinking because we feel obligated.

Stressed woman sitting on a couch, holding her head with both hands.

But mental health experts say that its okay to say No sometimes.

Mabel Yiu, MFT,explained to ThriveWorksthat doing favors for family members shouldnt come with resentment.

Tell them nicely yet firmly that you are not comfortable helping in this way anymore.

Text discussing a woman’s conflict with her sister over refusing to babysit her kids, leading to a harsh reality check.

Respecting boundaries is just as important a personality trait as lending loved ones a hand.

That one person to whom its always hard to say No to?

The truth is that were socially conditioned to want to belong and feel like were good people.

Text message about family conflict and limited contact after a past argument, related to babysitting issues.

Guilt often drives people to agree to favors theyre not particularly excited about.

Theres also nuance to rejecting someones request for a favor.

venture to say no in the most caring way possible: Im so sorry.

Text recounting a woman dropping her kids at her sister’s after a babysitting refusal.

I would love to help you with that.

Check out the results:

Woman looks stressed, sitting on a couch with a phone in hand, experiencing a babysitting reality check.

Text excerpt about a woman refusing to babysit her sister’s kids and contacting her to pick them up.

Text recounting an argument over babysitting refusal, highlighting a harsh reality check about child safety concerns.

Woman arguing intensely with another woman, embodying a harsh reality check after a babysitting disagreement.

Text excerpt discussing friends' opinions on dropping off kids without permission, highlighting divided views on babysitting.

Woman Goes With Her Plans Of The Day Despite Sister Bringing Her Kids To Babysit, Causes Drama

Comment about a woman dropping kids at her sister’s without her consent.

Comment discussing babysitting refusal and responsibility shift between sisters.

Reddit comment supporting assertion and establishing boundaries in a family babysitting scenario.

Reddit comment stating disagreement with a woman dropping off kids at her sister’s house.

Comment advising to contact CPS after babysitting refusal incident.

Reddit comment discussing a woman getting a harsh reality check after dropping off her kids at her sister’s without consent.

Comment discussing refusal to babysit and reporting to CPS.

Text comment discussing a woman’s refusal to babysit, suggesting mom should look after the kids.

Text exchange discussing refusal to babysit and subsequent argument on child abandonment.

Reddit comment discussing babysitting issue after a woman drops kids off at her sister’s without consent.

Text comment about woman dropping off kids without permission, suggesting contacting CPS if repeated.

Reddit comment discussing a woman refusing to babysit her sister’s kids and standing firm on boundaries.

Reddit comment on harsh reality check about a mother interfering in babysitting issues.

Text comment about a woman needing a babysitter after dropping off her kids unexpectedly.

A comment criticizing a woman’s decision to leave her kids alone at her sister’s house.

Comment discussing a reality check about an unexpected babysitting situation.

Text comment discussing child abandonment after a woman drops off her kids.

Online comment advises calling child protective services for abandoned kids after babysitting issue.

Reddit comment discussing babysitting and feeling guilty about kids being left home alone.