Years ago when I decided to stay home to my kids it was as if a memo went out to all my friends informing them that I was now at their disposal. I was now the go to girl for babysitting needs or any other need a person who went to work could not do. At first I was happy to help but in time I grew weary of the expectation that I was available just because I was home. I may not have worked but I had two small children and household under my charge. Still, I felt obligated to cater to the needs of others because I felt I did not work. Please do not fall into that trap. Your time is worth just as much as any other person.
Later I started my own home daycare business. Still the memo was not retracted. In fact, I think another one went out informing all I knew that I was at their disposal for all babysitting needs. After all, I was home and I was already babysitting, right? The only difference this time was everyone felt if they paid me for the day they could use my services as they pleased. I rarely accepted payment from friends but friends of friends and acquaintances, yes the memo went far, I did accept.
Eventually I gave up home daycare due to my homeschooling responsibilities and my pursuit toward a career in writing and designing lesson plans. Oddly, this turn of events lessened the amount of requests for babysitting and other errands people needed. After years of trying to stand my ground politely and say that I am too busy for favors on a regular basis the requests finally died down. One of the main reasons was now my oldest was old enough to babysit not because I had established myself as a working individual who just happened to be home.
Do you have these challenges?
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