My neighbor frequently asked me to babysit her child, but when I asked her to watch mine just once, she declined — so I came up with a creative solution

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!

9 Celebrity Fathers Who Raised Their Kids Alone

In the modern world, it’s easy to find moms who raise their kids on their own, while fathers who perform this task alone are a rare thing. Nevertheless, the tendency is there and men are sometimes seen taking full responsibility for the upbringing of their kids.

Bright Side collected the stories of celebrity fathers who, due to different circumstances, were raising their kids alone. Some decided to raise their kids by themselves, others — after a divorce with the spouse, and the last group had to live through some tragic events.

1. Liam Neeson

10 years ago, Liam Neeson’s wife Natasha Richardson fell down and hit her head while skiing at a ski resort and died after several days. Neeson stayed alone with their 2 sons Daniel and Micheal, ages 12 and 13. It took a lot of time for the family to overcome this tragedy but they managed to cope with the loss. Liam Neeson dedicated his life to his kids and never married again.

2. Pierce Brosnan

After marrying actress Cassandra Harris, Pierce Brosnan adopted her 2 kids: Charlotte age 9 and Chris age 8. 3 years later, they gave birth to their own son Sean. Later the Brosnan family experienced a tragedy — Cassandra died from cancer. Since then the actor has been raising their kids alone without any intention to get married again. But in 1994, he met a journalist Keely Shaye Smith whom he married officially in 2001. They have 2 sons — Dylan and Paris.

3. Nicolas Cage

Nicolas Cage’s son, Weston, was born in 1990. The actor wasn’t officially married to the child’s mother and the couple soon broke up. Cage was required to give his ex-girlfriend a house in Hollywood in order to have the right to raise his son alone. Today Weston is 28 years old, he is a musician, and is also starting his career in acting. In 2005 Cage had another son.

4. George Lucas

The creator of the legendary Star Wars saga, George Lucas, has been raising 3 adopted children for many years on his own. Amanda was adopted together with his spouse and she stayed with her father after the divorce. Later he also adopted another daughter, Katie and son, Jett. By the way, they all were filmed in small parts of Star Wars. George Lucas didn’t get married again until 2013. His spouse is the chairwoman of DreamWorks Animation and the president of Ariel Investments, Mellody Hobson. After their marriage, the couple soon gave birth to a daughter.

5. Al Pacino

Al Pacino is the father of 3 kids yet he has never been officially married. His eldest daughter, Julie was born in 1989, and in 2001, actress Beverly D’Angelo gave birth to their twins — Olivia and Anton. The couple broke up after several years, but the parents managed to keep their common child custody which is why their kids spend an equal amount of time with both their father and their mother. The actor has always tried to schedule his working hours so that he could spend more time with his kids.

6. Colin Farrell

Colin Farrell is raising 2 sons: 16-year-old James and 10-year-old Henry. James’s mother is the model Kim Bordenave, but Farrell’s and her relationship didn’t last long. Nevertheless, Colin said that he would provide for his son for life. In 2009, Farrel had his second son Henry. His mother is a Polish actress whom Colin broke up with very quickly.

7. Lenny Kravitz

After his divorce, the musician Lenny Kravitz started to raise their daughter Zoë alone. He had lived with his spouse Lisa Bonet for 3 years. The parents had equal rights to their daughter, but when Zoë turned 11, she moved to live with her father full time. Today Zoë Kravitz is a famous actress and model. This father and daughter often appear at social events together.

Cristiano Ronaldo has many kids. His first son was born by a surrogate mother in 2010. His name is also Cristiano. In 2017, the athlete became a father to 2 twins: daughter Eva and son Mateo. Now he is getting ready for his wedding to Georgina Rodríguez and recently they gave birth to their daughter Alana Martina.

9. Norman Reedus

The star of The Walking Dead TV series, Norman Reedus, has been raising his son Mingus alone for many years. He had been dating supermodel Helena Christensen for about 5 years, but their relationship fell apart. The couple shares joint custody of their son, however, he has lived most of his life with his father in Los Angeles. Today Mingus is 20 years old. Several years ago, Norman Reedus started dating actress Diane Kruger and in 2018, they had a daughter.

Which of these stories impressed you most of all? Please tell us about it in the comments!

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