Woman Leaves Friend’s Party Without Saying Goodbye After Her Sister Uses Her As Babysitter

Parents can’t do it all themselves. In fact, about one in six parents admit they get help from a babysitter at least once a week. Granted, most of them pay the sitters or thank them in some other way. But one mother expected free child care, and at her sister’s party nonetheless!

When this woman came to her friend’s party, she didn’t expect to become the default babysitter for her friend’s sister. But as the night went on, she found herself looking after the little ones more than having fun. Deciding that she didn’t sign up to be a free nanny for the night and the mom can’t just use her like that, she simply went home.

A woman was asked to look after her friend’s sister’s kids at a party because she’s “good with children”

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But because she came to have fun, she didn’t want to be the default nanny

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If you feel any resentment towards friend’s family members, it’s better to tell them than to pretend everything’s fine

It’s natural to not get along well or not to like your friend’s family members. After all, you’re friends with them and not their family, right? Luckily, not like with romantic relationships, you don’t have to force yourself to be friends with your friends’ siblings.

There’s really no point in engaging in relationships that don’t give you anything back. Research from Ireland and the U.S. shows that negative social interactions and relationships can increase the risk of depression and anxiety.

If the other person just uses you and has no courtesy of treating you as someone more than a free babysitter, perhaps the best course of action is to say “No.” But how does one do that effectively?

Whether an ‘Irish exit’ is appropriate depends on the circumstances of the event

Some people believe that leaving without saying goodbye is one of the rudest things a guest can do. Often called an ‘Irish exit’ or an ‘Irish goodbye,’ this gesture can offend a party host who’s close to you. But it can also (as it did in this story) signal that the guest was unhappy with something.

According to etiquette expert and the founder of the Protocol School of Texas Diane Gottsman, whether an Irish exit is rude depends on the circumstances. Generally, if it’s a big party or function, an Irish goodbye might be more appropriate.

But in more intimate environments, this kind of gesture might seem more rude. “I do think that a ‘thank you’ after an event is always appropriate,” she told in an interview for TODAY. Generally, she doesn’t recommend leaving intimate parties, such as friend dinners, abruptly.

“A quick and friendly goodbye to the host, or at least a smile and a wave, is the best ‘au revoir’ you can manage,” Gottsman explained. “It’s the polite way to end an evening and leave your host thinking you are a wonderful guest.”

Gottsman also lists some other reasons when leaving a party without saying goodbye would be totally appropriate.

People sided with the woman, but wondered why she didn’t speak up and just say “No” to the mother ...