My entitled neighbor expected free babysitting for months, but the one time I needed her? Radio silence. Thats when I realized kindness has limits. So, I got a little too creative and drew the line with a twist she never saw coming.
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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 youre a stay-at-home mom, youre available 24/7 to be their personal, unpaid nanny? Hi there, Im Annie, and boy, do I have a story for you…
Cheerful woman with a little boy | Source: Pexels
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.”
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A woman smirking | Source: Midjourney
Dont get me wrong. Ive got nothing but respect for single moms. Its a tough gig. But Megan? She wore her single mom status like a badge that entitled her to everyones time and energy. Especially mine.
Apparently, I was Megans personal target for FREE childcare.
”Hi there! Im Megan,” she chirped, flashing a smile that didnt quite reach her eyes. ”And this is my daughter, Lily.”
I bounced my son Tommy perched on my shoulder. ”Nice to meet you! Im Annie, and this little guy is Tommy.”
A woman carrying a toddler on her shoulder | Source: Pexels
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Megans eyes lit up. ”Oh, youre home during the day? Thats fantastic! Ive 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, Im usually pretty busy with Tommy, but if you need help in an emergency, I can try.”
Megans smile widened. ”Thats so sweet of you! Im sure well be great friends.”
A woman smiling | Source: Midjourney
As she left little Lily with me and walked away, I turned to Tommy. ”Well, buddy, looks like weve got new neighbors. What do you think?”
Tommy gurgled and reached for my hair. If only Id known what I was getting myself into.
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Weeks rolled by and I was at my wits end. Megans ”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.
A little girl playing with a doll | Source: Pexels
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, youre a lifesaver! Ive got this important meeting. You can watch Lily, right?”
I hesitated. ”Megan, Ive got a lot on my plate today and I cant—”
”Itll just be a few hours,” she interrupted, already ushering Lily inside. ”Youre the best!”
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Before I could protest, she was gone, leaving me with two kids and a growing sense of frustration.
A woman holding a doorknob | Source: Midjourney
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. Lets go find some costumes.”
As I watched the kids play, I couldnt help but wonder how long I could keep this up.
A cheerful little girl holding a drawing | Source: Midjourney
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Picture this: Youre 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? Im sure you wouldnt 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.
A woman flashing her nails | Source: Pexels
Now, dont get me wrong. I love kids. But theres 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.
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The last straw came on a Tuesday. I was in the middle of a virtual doctors appointment when Megan burst in, Lily trailing behind her.
”Annie, emergency! Ive got to run to the salon. Watch Lily, okay?”
I gaped at her, my doctors voice still coming through my earbuds. ”Megan, Im in the middle of—”
”Thanks, youre a doll!” And just like that, she was gone.
An annoyed woman sitting on the couch | Source: Midjourney
I turned back to my screen, where my doctor looked confused. ”Everything okay, Annie?”
I laughed humorlessly. ”Just peachy. Now, where were we?”
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That night, I vented to my husband, Dan. ”I cant believe her! She just assumes Im always available.”
Dan frowned. ”Honey, you need to set some boundaries. This isnt fair to you or Tommy.”
”Youre right. Next time she asks, Im putting my foot down.”
Little did I know, my chance would come sooner than expected.
A couple holding hands | Source: Pexels
The following week, Dan and I had a doctors 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.
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”Hey, Megan. I hate to ask, but Dan and I have a doctors appointment. Could you watch Tommy for an hour? Id really appreciate it.”
Megans face twisted. ”Oh, Annie. Im really not comfortable watching other peoples kids. Its just... stressful, you know? And I need my me time. You understand, right?”
I stood there, STUNNED. After everything Id done for her, she couldnt spare ONE HOUR?
A shocked woman | Source: Midjourney
”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.
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”Annie, Ive got a hair appointment. You can watch Lily, right?”
I smiled sweetly. ”Actually, Megan, Im glad youre here. Ive been meaning to tell you about my new babysitting business.”
Her eyes lit up. ”Babysitting business?”
A surprised woman frowning | Source: Midjourney
”Yep! I figured since Im home anyway, why not make some extra money? And since were neighbors, Id be happy to give you a discounted rate.”
Megan leaned in, intrigued. ”Thats amazing! How much?”
”Well, normally Id charge $20 an hour, but for you, lets say $15.”
Her jaw dropped. ”Fifteen dollars an hour? Thats insane! I cant afford that!”
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A woman frowning | Source: Midjourney
I shrugged, feigning sympathy. ”I know, childcare is so expensive these days. Thats why its important to find people willing to help out. Dont you think?”
Megans face reddened. ”Ill figure something out.”
As she stormed off, I couldnt 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.
A woman holding an invoice | Source: Pexels
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One afternoon, she came to pick up Lily ten minutes late. I greeted her with a smile and a piece of paper.
”Heres your invoice, Megan. Dont forget the late pick-up fee!”
She snatched the paper, her face contorting with rage. ”This is ridiculous! Youre nothing but a greedy witch!”
I raised an eyebrow. ”Excuse me?”
A woman arguing | Source: Midjourney
”You have no right to charge me after all the times Ive done favors for you!”
I couldnt help but laugh. ”FAVORS? Like the time I asked you to watch Tommy for one hour and you said you werent comfortable watching other peoples kids?”
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”Thats... thats different! Im a single mom. Im busy!”
”And Im a stay-at-home mom running a business,” I countered. ”Were all busy, Megan.”
She grabbed Lilys hand and stormed off, leaving me feeling both guilty and oddly empowered.
A woman holding a little girls hand | Source: Pexels
Word of my ”babysitting business” spread quickly through the neighborhood. I hadnt planned on it, but soon other moms came to me with their Megan stories.
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Chelsea, another neighbor, caught me at the mailbox. ”Annie, youre 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.”
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Chelsea shook her head. ”Oh no, shes been trying this with everyone. But now? She cant find anyone to help her for free anymore.”
Two women talking to each other | Source: Midjourney
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.”
”Dont! She needed to learn she cant take advantage of people.”
I nodded, watching Megans house. ”I guess youre right.”
A woman stepping out of a car | Source: Pexels
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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 shed left me in the lurch.
”Some people need to carry the heavy weight of their actions!” I muttered and turned around, ignoring her.
Side view of a woman seeing somewhere | Source: Midjourney
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, Im just too busy!”
Frustrated, she realized she couldnt rely on ”FREE” favors anymore and had to pay for a professional sitter.
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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!
An extremely frustrated woman | Source: Midjourney
Heres another story: My daughter-in-law threw away the birthday cake Id made for my little granddaughter. I was so hurt but what my son did after that shook me even more.
This work is inspired by real events and people, but it has been fictionalized for creative purposes. Names, characters, and details have been changed to protect privacy and enhance the narrative. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental and not intended by the author.
The author and publisher make no claims to the accuracy of events or the portrayal of characters and are not liable for any misinterpretation. This story is provided ”as is,” and any opinions expressed are those of the characters and do not reflect the views of the author or publisher.
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