My entitled neighbor expected free babysitting for months, but the one time I needed her? Radio silence. That’s when I realized kindness has limits. So, I got a little too creative and drew the line with a twist she never saw coming.
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 you’re a stay-at-home mom, you’re available 24/7 to be their personal, unpaid nanny? Hi there, I’m 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.”
A woman smirking | Source: Midjourney
Don’t get me wrong. I’ve got nothing but respect for single moms. It’s a tough gig. But Megan? She wore her single mom status like a badge that entitled her to everyone’s time and energy. Especially mine.
Apparently, I was Megan’s personal target for FREE childcare.
“Hi there! I’m Megan,” she chirped, flashing a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. “And this is my daughter, Lily.”
I bounced my son Tommy perched on my shoulder. “Nice to meet you! I’m Annie, and this little guy is Tommy.”
A woman carrying a toddler on her shoulder | Source: Pexels
Megan’s eyes lit up. “Oh, you’re home during the day? That’s fantastic! I’ve 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, I’m usually pretty busy with Tommy, but if you need help in an emergency, I can try.”
Megan’s smile widened. “That’s so sweet of you! I’m sure we’ll 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 we’ve got new neighbors. What do you think?”
Tommy gurgled and reached for my hair. If only I’d known what I was getting myself into.
Weeks rolled by and I was at my wit’s end. Megan’s “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, you’re a lifesaver! I’ve got this important meeting. You can watch Lily, right?”
I hesitated. “Megan, I’ve got a lot on my plate today and I can’t—”
“It’ll just be a few hours,” she interrupted, already ushering Lily inside. “You’re the best!”
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. Let’s go find some costumes.”
As I watched the kids play, I couldn’t help but wonder how long I could keep this up.
A cheerful little girl holding a drawing | Source: Midjourney
Picture this: You’re 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? I’m sure you wouldn’t 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, don’t get me wrong. I love kids. But there’s 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.
The last straw came on a Tuesday. I was in the middle of a virtual doctor’s appointment when Megan burst in, Lily trailing behind her.
“Annie, emergency! I’ve got to run to the salon. Watch Lily, okay?”
I gaped at her, my doctor’s voice still coming through my earbuds. “Megan, I’m in the middle of—”
“Thanks, you’re 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?”
That night, I vented to my husband, Dan. “I can’t believe her! She just assumes I’m always available.”
Dan frowned. “Honey, you need to set some boundaries. This isn’t fair to you or Tommy.”
“You’re right. Next time she asks, I’m 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 doctor’s 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.
“Hey, Megan. I hate to ask, but Dan and I have a doctor’s appointment. Could you watch Tommy for an hour? I’d really appreciate it.”
Megan’s face twisted. “Oh, Annie. I’m really not comfortable watching other people’s kids. It’s just… stressful, you know? And I need my ‘me time.’ You understand, right?”
I stood there, STUNNED. After everything I’d done for her, she couldn’t 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.
“Annie, I’ve got a hair appointment. You can watch Lily, right?”
I smiled sweetly. “Actually, Megan, I’m glad you’re here. I’ve 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 I’m home anyway, why not make some extra money? And since we’re neighbors, I’d be happy to give you a discounted rate.”
Megan leaned in, intrigued. “That’s amazing! How much?”
“Well, normally I’d charge $20 an hour, but for you, let’s say $15.”
Her jaw dropped. “Fifteen dollars an hour? That’s insane! I can’t afford that!”
A woman frowning | Source: Midjourney
I shrugged, feigning sympathy. “I know, childcare is so expensive these days. That’s why it’s important to find people willing to help out. Don’t you think?”
Megan’s face reddened. “I’ll figure something out.”
As she stormed off, I couldn’t 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
One afternoon, she came to pick up Lily ten minutes late. I greeted her with a smile and a piece of paper.
“Here’s your invoice, Megan. Don’t forget the late pick-up fee!”
She snatched the paper, her face contorting with rage. “This is ridiculous! You’re 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 I’ve done favors for you!”
I couldn’t help but laugh. “FAVORS? Like the time I asked you to watch Tommy for one hour and you said you weren’t comfortable watching other people’s kids?”
“That’s… that’s different! I’m a single mom. I’m busy!”
“And I’m a stay-at-home mom running a business,” I countered. “We’re all busy, Megan.”
She grabbed Lily’s hand and stormed off, leaving me feeling both guilty and oddly empowered.
A woman holding a little girl’s hand | Source: Pexels
Word of my “babysitting business” spread quickly through the neighborhood. I hadn’t planned on it, but soon other moms came to me with their Megan stories.
Chelsea, another neighbor, caught me at the mailbox. “Annie, you’re 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.”
Chelsea shook her head. “Oh no, she’s been trying this with everyone. But now? She can’t 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.”
“Don’t! She needed to learn she can’t take advantage of people.”
I nodded, watching Megan’s house. “I guess you’re right.”
A woman stepping out of a car | Source: Pexels
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 she’d 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, I’m just too busy!”
Frustrated, she realized she couldn’t rely on “FREE” favors anymore and had to pay for a professional sitter.
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
Janet Jackson’s boy has outgrown his baby years.
Eissa, the seven-year-old son of Janet Jackson, is beginning to display his musical abilities, suggesting he may be following in the footsteps of his famous mother.
Here’s a closer look into the young boy’s life:
As the youngest of ten Jackson siblings, Eissa is a descendant of a musical legacy. Janet, now 57, began her career on the variety show The Jacksons, which showcased her eight siblings. Tragically, her twin brother Brandon died at birth in 1957, leaving Janet and her siblings to navigate the world of music together.
Janet’s brothers—Jackie, Tito, Marlon, Jermaine, and Michael—rose to fame as the Jackson 5 after signing with Motown Records in 1968, while her sisters Rebbie and LaToya also forged their paths in the music industry.
Path to Fame
After the family show ended in 1977, 10-year-old Janet landed a leading role in the hit TV series Good Times, followed by parts in Diff’rent Strokes and Fame. However, it was her music that propelled her to fame. Known for hits like “Together Again,” “That’s the Way Love Goes,” “Nasty,” and “Love Will Never Do (Without You),” Janet has earned numerous accolades and has several multi-platinum albums, including Control, Rhythm Nation 1814, and Janet. Her 1982 debut album, Janet Jackson, marked the beginning of her success, but it was her third album, Control (1986), that established her as a major artist in her own right, separate from her brother Michael Jackson, the “King of Pop.” Control earned her three Grammy nominations and nine American Music Award nominations, winning two.
Eissa Jackson Today
Born on January 3, 2017, Eissa Al Mana is inheriting the musical gifts of his mother, who was 50 at the time of his birth with then-husband Wissam Al Mana. Although the challenges of giving birth at that age were daunting, Janet’s delivery was healthy and without complications.
“Janet Jackson and husband Wissam Al Mana are overjoyed with the arrival of their son Eissa Al Mana. Janet had a smooth delivery and is resting comfortably,” a representative stated.
However, just three months after Eissa’s birth, the couple ended their five-year marriage, marking Janet’s third divorce.
According to her brother Randy, Janet faced “verbal abuse” from Al Mana and felt “trapped in her own home.” Randy mentioned, “Enough is enough. There’s a lot of pain. Janet’s been through a lot with her divorce… It was quite an abusive situation that escalated over time.”
In June 2018, Janet called the police for a welfare check while Eissa was with his father, fearing he might be exposed to drugs. Fortunately, Eissa was found safe, and the situation was clarified as a misunderstanding. Neither Janet nor Wissam has commented on the incident.
After the separation, the “When I Think of You” singer expressed her commitment to being an active mother. “Being a working mom is tough. I don’t have a nanny. I handle everything myself. If my mother managed with nine kids, I can too,” Janet reflected, referring to their matriarch, Katherine, who turned 93 in May.
First Photo of Eissa
Janet adeptly juggles her demanding career and motherhood. “I’m in a wonderful place,” she shared. “I have a beautiful son.”
Her friends even call her Superwoman, though Janet humbly disagrees, crediting her newfound energy to Eissa’s inspiration.
The superstar is protective of her son’s privacy, but occasionally shares glimpses of their life. She posted the first photo of Eissa when he was just 14 weeks old, shortly after her separation from Al Mana. She also shared pictures with Eissa and his classmates enjoying gifts from the show Paw Patrol.
In an Instagram clip, Janet excitedly updates fans about her tour when she is interrupted by Eissa seeking her attention.
During her Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction speech in 2019, Janet fondly acknowledged Eissa. “I want to thank my beautiful son. He wakes me up every morning singing his own melodies. You are my heart and my life, and you’ve shown me what true, unconditional love is. Mama loves you, Eissa.”
While appearing on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon in 2020, she shared that Eissa has a passion for music. “He loves classical music. He’s incredibly talented,” she noted. “On his first day of school, he brought a violin. By the third day, he asked to take a cello. I told him we didn’t have a cello, but he insisted I should turn his violin into one.”
Despite Eissa’s evident musical potential, Janet has stated she wouldn’t pressure her children into the entertainment industry unless it was their genuine desire. “They need to understand the challenges they would face,” she explained.
Above all, Janet feels immensely grateful for the love of her son. Eissa is currently being raised in London, where Janet shares parenting responsibilities with her ex-husband.
“Eissa has shown me that love can go deeper than you ever thought possible. It’s limitless,” Janet expressed. “Having been raised in showbiz, where self-interest often prevails, I’m fortunate to prioritize someone else’s welfare above all else.”
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