My entitled neighbor expected free babysitting for months, but the one time I needed her? Radio silence. That’s when I realized kindness has limits. So, I got a little too creative and drew the line with a twist she never saw coming.
Motherhood is a beautiful journey, filled with ups and downs, laughter and tears. But what happens when someone sees your maternal instincts as an opportunity to exploit? When they assume that just because you’re a stay-at-home mom, you’re available 24/7 to be their personal, unpaid nanny? Hi there, I’m Annie, and boy, do I have a story for you…
Picture this: a quaint suburban neighborhood where tranquility reigns supreme. You know the kind? Pristine lawns, friendly waves from passing cars, and block parties that wrap up by 9 p.m. sharp.
That was my slice of paradise, quiet and drama-free. Until Hurricane Megan blew in next door.
From day one, Megan strutted around like she owned the place. Head held high, designer purse swinging, she was the walking definition of “extra.”
Don’t get me wrong. I’ve got nothing but respect for single moms. It’s a tough gig. But Megan? She wore her single mom status like a badge that entitled her to everyone’s time and energy. Especially mine.
Apparently, I was Megan’s personal target for FREE childcare.
“Hi there! I’m Megan,” she chirped, flashing a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. “And this is my daughter, Lily.”
I bounced my son Tommy perched on my shoulder. “Nice to meet you! I’m Annie, and this little guy is Tommy.”
Megan’s eyes lit up. “Oh, you’re home during the day? That’s fantastic! I’ve been looking for someone reliable to watch Lily. My work schedule is just crazy, you know!”
I felt a twinge of unease but pushed it aside. “Well, I’m usually pretty busy with Tommy, but if you need help in an emergency, I can try.”
Megan’s smile widened. “That’s so sweet of you! I’m sure we’ll be great friends.”
As she left little Lily with me and walked away, I turned to Tommy. “Well, buddy, looks like we’ve got new neighbors. What do you think?”
Tommy gurgled and reached for my hair. If only I’d known what I was getting myself into.
Weeks rolled by and I was at my wit’s end. Megan’s “emergencies” had become a near-daily occurrence.
Despite my growing unease, I brushed it off. We moms gotta stick together, right? But one favor turned into two, then ten, and then I lost count.
The doorbell rang, and I groaned. “Tommy, want to bet who that is?”
I opened the door to find Megan, perfectly coiffed, with Lily in tow. “Annie, you’re a lifesaver! I’ve got this important meeting. You can watch Lily, right?”
I hesitated. “Megan, I’ve got a lot on my plate today and I can’t—”
“It’ll just be a few hours,” she interrupted, already ushering Lily inside. “You’re the best!”
Before I could protest, she was gone, leaving me with two kids and a growing sense of frustration.
Lily looked up at me with big eyes, holding a drawing of red and pink hearts. “Can we play dress-up, Annie?”
I sighed, forcing a smile. “Sure, sweetie. Let’s go find some costumes.”
As I watched the kids play, I couldn’t help but wonder how long I could keep this up.
Picture this: You’re knee-deep in diapers and alphabet songs, cherishing every moment with your little one. Then your neighbor knocks on the door again, flashing a smile and making the same monotonous request.
“Oh, Annie, would you be a sweetheart and babysit Lily for a few hours? I’m sure you wouldn’t mind watching her while I get my nails done.”
Spa days, shopping sprees, hair appointments… you name it, I was babysitting through it all. FOR FREE.
Now, don’t get me wrong. I love kids. But there’s a fine line between being neighborly and being a doormat. And folks, I was starting to feel like I had “Welcome” printed on my forehead.
The last straw came on a Tuesday. I was in the middle of a virtual doctor’s appointment when Megan burst in, Lily trailing behind her.
“Annie, emergency! I’ve got to run to the salon. Watch Lily, okay?”
I gaped at her, my doctor’s voice still coming through my earbuds. “Megan, I’m in the middle of—”
“Thanks, you’re a doll!” And just like that, she was gone.
I turned back to my screen, where my doctor looked confused. “Everything okay, Annie?”
I laughed humorlessly. “Just peachy. Now, where were we?”
That night, I vented to my husband, Dan. “I can’t believe her! She just assumes I’m always available.”
Dan frowned. “Honey, you need to set some boundaries. This isn’t fair to you or Tommy.”
“You’re right. Next time she asks, I’m putting my foot down.”
Little did I know, my chance would come sooner than expected.
The following week, Dan and I had a doctor’s appointment. I figured it was the perfect opportunity to ask Megan for a favor.
I knocked on her door, my hopes soaring. Megan answered, looking annoyed at the interruption.
“Hey, Megan. I hate to ask, but Dan and I have a doctor’s appointment. Could you watch Tommy for an hour? I’d really appreciate it.”
Megan’s face twisted. “Oh, Annie. I’m really not comfortable watching other people’s kids. It’s just… stressful, you know? And I need my ‘me time.’ You understand, right?”
I stood there, STUNNED. After everything I’d done for her, she couldn’t spare ONE HOUR?
“Sure! I understand completely.”
As I walked away, something inside me snapped. It was time for a little creative problem-solving.
My opportunity came a few days later when Megan knocked on my door, Lily in tow.
“Annie, I’ve got a hair appointment. You can watch Lily, right?”
I smiled sweetly. “Actually, Megan, I’m glad you’re here. I’ve been meaning to tell you about my new babysitting business.”
Her eyes lit up. “Babysitting business?”
“Yep! I figured since I’m home anyway, why not make some extra money? And since we’re neighbors, I’d be happy to give you a discounted rate.”
Megan leaned in, intrigued. “That’s amazing! How much?”
“Well, normally I’d charge $20 an hour, but for you, let’s say $15.”
Her jaw dropped. “Fifteen dollars an hour? That’s insane! I can’t afford that!”
I shrugged, feigning sympathy. “I know, childcare is so expensive these days. That’s why it’s important to find people willing to help out. Don’t you think?”
Megan’s face reddened. “I’ll figure something out.”
As she stormed off, I couldn’t help but feel a twinge of satisfaction. The tables had finally turned.
Over the next few weeks, I fully embraced my role as a “professional” babysitter. Every time Megan asked for a favor, I responded with mock invoices and rate sheets.
One afternoon, she came to pick up Lily ten minutes late. I greeted her with a smile and a piece of paper.
“Here’s your invoice, Megan. Don’t forget the late pick-up fee!”
She snatched the paper, her face contorting with rage. “This is ridiculous! You’re nothing but a greedy witch!”
I raised an eyebrow. “Excuse me?”
“You have no right to charge me after all the times I’ve done favors for you!”
I couldn’t help but laugh. “FAVORS? Like the time I asked you to watch Tommy for one hour and you said you weren’t comfortable watching other people’s kids?”
“That’s… that’s different! I’m a single mom. I’m busy!”
“And I’m a stay-at-home mom running a business,” I countered. “We’re all busy, Megan.”
She grabbed Lily’s hand and stormed off, leaving me feeling both guilty and oddly empowered.
Word of my “babysitting business” spread quickly through the neighborhood. I hadn’t planned on it, but soon other moms came to me with their Megan stories.
Chelsea, another neighbor, caught me at the mailbox. “Annie, you’re a genius! I started charging Megan too, and suddenly she stopped asking me to watch Lily.”
I laughed. “Really? I thought I was the only one.”
Chelsea shook her head. “Oh no, she’s been trying this with everyone. But now? She can’t find anyone to help her for free anymore.”
As we chatted, I saw Megan pull into her driveway. She glared at us before slamming her car door and stomping inside.
I turned to Chelsea. “I almost feel bad.”
“Don’t! She needed to learn she can’t take advantage of people.”
I nodded, watching Megan’s house. “I guess you’re right.”
Weeks passed, and I hardly saw Megan anymore. The constant knocking had stopped, and an eerie quiet settled over our little corner of the neighborhood.
One evening, as I was watering my front garden, I saw her struggling with groceries. For a moment, I considered offering help. Then I remembered all the times she’d left me in the lurch.
“Some people need to carry the heavy weight of their actions!” I muttered and turned around, ignoring her.
Megan soon found herself in a bind. Every time she asked for help babysitting, she was met with either a rate card or a “Sorry, I’m just too busy!”
Frustrated, she realized she couldn’t rely on “FREE” favors anymore and had to pay for a professional sitter.
So, there you have it, folks. Was it petty? Perhaps a bit. Was it satisfying? Absolutely! But sometimes, the best revenge is learning to communicate effectively and set healthy boundaries. Have you ever dealt with an entitled neighbor? How did you handle the situation? Share your stories in the comments!
Money can’t buy true happiness, so despite a $400 million fortune, Arnold Schwarzenegger lives a low-key life on his farm
In addition to being a celebrity, 75-year-old Arnold Schwarzenegger is also in charge of managing his home and caring for his pets. The actor also landed the part of grandfather.
Arnold Schwarzenegger’s estimated net worth in 2021 was $400 million, according to reports. Due to his fortune, he is able to reside in the Pacific Palisades region of Los Angeles, where he owns a mansion with views of the canyons and Pacific Ocean.
The “Terminator” actor and his family have been residing in the Mediterranean-style house for some time. Situated in one of the most elite gated neighborhoods in the city, the property encompasses over 2.5 acres.
When his five children, Joseph Baena, Katherine, Christina, Patrick, and Christopher Schwarzenegger, come to visit, the home can accommodate them all with its seven bedrooms and baths. There are more breathtaking details throughout the Golden Globe Award nominee’s home.
It features multiple living rooms, a private gym, a chef’s kitchen, entertainment spaces, and much more. The house features a large swimming pool with a spa, a duck pond, and a tennis court outside. Additionally, it has a private patio and balconies with views of the mountains and beach.
There is ample space on the estate for the actor to establish a stable in the back of the property with his pets, Whiskey the pony and Lulu the small donkey.
The “Predator” actor’s home also features entertaining areas and patio furniture. Pets are welcome in his backyard, where they are free to roam the spacious field.
Arnold opened his house to the public in 2020 while COVID-19 was on lockdown. That year, when the pandemic quarantine started, the actor posted a video of himself chilling out in the kitchen with Lulu and Whiskey. The vast green field was visible from his rear terrace. Rain or shine, the actor could enjoy the outdoors in his lounge area.
The “Total Recall” actor moved to a nearby location from the family home to be nearer to his kids following his divorce from Maria Shriver.
Even though Arnold was quite wealthy, he nevertheless managed many aspects of his household on his own. With his ex-wife, Mildred Baena, he had Joseph and Katherine, Christina, Patrick, and Christopher.
Arnold’s Typical Day-to-Day Activities
Arnold posted a picture of himself carrying a loaded trolley at a Walmart on Facebook in 2014. The actor described how he got an idea after going to the shop and noticing his Muscle Pharm Arnold Series items on the shelves.
He made the decision to issue a challenge to his followers: discover the product in the store, snap pictures, and send them to him. He would then upload the best ones.
Arnold had previously been seen shopping at the retail store. Just by being there, the former governor of California incited chaos at a Walmart in Albuquerque, New Mexico in 2011. While filming there, he tweeted that he had left around two in the morning to grab some nutritious snacks.
The actor reportedly published a snapshot of his check-in location and spent $300 on warm garments for his crew. He also expressed gratitude to the Walmart staff for their help.
Arnold revealed his morning ritual on “Jimmy Kimmel Live” in February 2022. He disclosed that he would up early, maybe at 5:45 or 6 a.m., in order to tend to his “complaining animals.”
He fed his animals for the first hour because Lulu would “scream” if she wasn’t attended to and let out of her stall. Before he returned the animals to their stables, they would run around on the grass.
In addition to Whiskey and Lulu, the actor owns a large dog named Dutch, who would howl for food and attack his toes if left unfed! The celebrity revealed in a comical way that his neighbors would be awakened by the commotion of the animals if he didn’t feed them!
Ironically, Whiskey and Lulu are welcome guests in the house, where he feeds them oatmeal cookies in the kitchen since Arnold finds the “farmer’s chores” enjoyable and soothing.
Even though the cookies were intended for horses, the actor offers them to the dogs when they become envious! Additionally, he admitted to Jimmy Kimmel that the cookies were so delicious that he ate them!
Arnold disclosed that guests may find the situation peculiar as the dogs would pounce on them and Lulu would run around the home! He recalled his cousin’s arrival just before Christmas in 2021, during which she was taken aback since she was unaware that his animals were staying at the house!
When Lulu shouted and raced inside the house demanding cookies, the cousin was taken aback. His shocked relative questioned why the animal was in the house and not the stable after the actor spoke to it calmly.
Katherine Schwarzenegger Pratt screamed out anytime Lyla was touched, according to Arnold Schwarzenegger, since she thought he was cradling the infant incorrectly.
The celebrity became wealthy not only from performing but also from modeling, politics, bodybuilding, and commercial ventures. But when he accepted certain people into his life, everything changed.
How Did Being a Grandfather Affect Arnold’s Life?
When Katherine and her husband, Chris Pratt, welcomed their second child, Eloise Christina, in 2022, Arnold became a grandfather twice over. The actor mentioned how simple it was to play the part and gave an explanation.
He would play with his oldest granddaughter, Lyla Maria, for an hour or two when she came to visit. After two hours of visiting, he put her on the horse, they played with the dog, and the child and her parents would depart!
The actor claimed to love their visits and to be very proud of his daughter, even though he believes Chris to be a wonderful man. Additionally, he enjoys spending time with his granddaughter, son-in-law, and daughter when they visit because:
“Every room in the house lights up when they arrive.”
The “Twins” actor claimed in 2021 that Lyla had paid him multiple visits at his Los Angeles residence. He thought the young girl would make an excellent horseback rider when she got to sit on Whiskey and Lulu.
He claimed that his daughter was the diaper changing specialist and that he had never changed his granddaughter’s. Arnold told how Katherine would get really uncomfortable anytime Lyla was touched because she thought he was holding the baby incorrectly, but he would counter that he had done it before and found the whole argument entertaining!
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