I’ve always believed in helping my neighbors when they need it. But sometimes, the request is just too much. Here’s a story about where I had to draw the line.
Helping out can be stressful, especially for parents already juggling a lot. Making last-minute childcare arrangements is tough, especially when labor comes unexpectedly. Even the best plans can get thrown off when a baby decides it’s time.
A while back, I rushed to the hospital for an emergency labor without thinking about who would watch my older kids. That’s when I turned to Reddit for advice on what happened next.
I’m a 26-year-old mom who moved into a new apartment complex about a year ago. The building is new, so my neighbors and I are still getting to know each other. The kids all play together in the courtyard, and young families often help each other out. I’ve helped with babysitting and sharing baby formula but haven’t made any close friends.
My husband was away visiting friends and family, so I was home alone with our two-year-old and eleven-month-old. The moms in our building have a childcare rotation, but I usually stay out of it. I don’t like others looking after my kids.
One night, at three in the morning, there was a knock on my door. Being home alone with my kids, I didn’t answer right away. But the knocking didn’t stop, so I checked.
It was my neighbor, who was nine months pregnant and in labor, standing there with her hospital bag and boyfriend. She asked if I could watch her kids for an hour until her aunt arrived.
I said no. I didn’t want to risk waking my kids or be responsible if something went wrong. Her kids were one and four years old. With my own two kids, I couldn’t handle four kids in the middle of the night. Plus, her one-year-old was very attached to her and might not settle with a stranger.
My neighbor’s boyfriend got mad and scolded me, saying a mother should help another in need. I felt he wouldn’t have spoken to me like that if my husband were home. Unsure if I made the right choice, I shared my story on Reddit.
Many people on Reddit agreed with me. One user, Schezzi, pointed out that the parents had nine months to prepare and left their kids’ safety until the last minute. However, others disagreed. BrinaGu3 felt it was wrong not to help in an emergency.
Later, I found out the aunt didn’t arrive until eight in the morning. The neighbor who took in the kids ended up with no sleep and a messy house. She told me she regretted agreeing to help. I felt vindicated in my decision not to take the kids.
Opinions are divided on this. What do you think? Share your thoughts in the comments below and discuss this with others to see what they think!
