Motherhood can be beautiful, but it also brings challenges, especially when someone exploits your kindness. I’m Annie, and my story revolves around my entitled neighbor, Megan.
From the moment Megan moved in, she expected free babysitting. “You’re home during the day? Perfect! I need someone to watch my daughter, Lily!” I initially agreed to help in emergencies, but soon, her requests turned into daily demands. I was babysitting while she enjoyed spa days and shopping sprees, leaving me overwhelmed with my own son, Tommy.
The last straw came when I was in a virtual doctor’s appointment, and Megan barged in, demanding I watch Lily again. After that, I knew I needed to set boundaries.
One day, I knocked on Megan’s door, asking if she could watch Tommy for an hour. Her response? “I’m really not comfortable watching other people’s kids.” I was stunned. After everything I had done for her, she couldn’t spare a moment for me?
That’s when I decided to get creative. The next time she asked for a favor, I told her about my new babysitting business. “I’d be happy to offer you a discounted rate of $15 an hour!” Her face fell. “That’s insane! I can’t afford that!”
I shrugged, pretending to sympathize. “Childcare is expensive, right?” I felt empowered as she stormed off.
From then on, every time Megan asked for help, I presented her with mock invoices. The reactions were priceless. She called me greedy, but I reminded her of her refusal to help me. Soon, word spread through the neighborhood. Other moms started charging her too, and she could no longer rely on free babysitting.
One evening, I saw her struggling with groceries. For a moment, I considered offering help, but I remembered all the times she had taken advantage of my kindness. “Some people need to carry the weight of their actions,” I thought.
Eventually, Megan found herself without free help and had to hire a professional sitter. My creative approach worked, and while it felt a bit petty, it was satisfying. Sometimes, setting boundaries is the best revenge. Have you ever dealt with an entitled neighbor? How did you handle it?
