The Weekend Battle: Irina Refuses to Be the Default Babysitter
Denis’s voice, stretched out lazily as the football match played softly on TV, carried a tone to Irina that felt like the harsh squeak of an unlubricated wagon rolling over her fraying nerves. “Irish, you’ll be going to Alisa’s Saturday and Sunday to watch the nieces and nephews,” he said, as if stating a fact rather than requesting a favor. “She has some important plans, you understand.”
Irina stood still, cup of fragrant herbal tea frozen mid-air, unable to raise it to her lips. Outside, the evening’s dim light crept in as sparse street lamps flickered on, while inside, anticipation swelled; two full days free at last! She had meticulously organized her Saturday: a long-awaited excursion to the new contemporary art gallery followed by lunch with her closest friend Katya, whom she hadn’t seen in weeks due to their hectic schedules. Sunday was sacred—a time set aside to finally clear out the attic clutter and complete an article she had been crafting for months for a literary magazine, her personal sanctuary. Yet Denis’s casual, tossed-off directive to “go to Alisa’s” threatened to shatter her carefully arranged plans like a fragile house of cards caught in a fierce wind.
Setting her cup down, the soft clink against the saucer seemed abruptly loud in the ensuing silence. Denis remained fixated on the screen, apparently oblivious to her quietude, assuming her compliance as usual. How many times had this happened—her weekends quietly sacrificed? Ten? Twenty in total? Irina had lost track. Alisa was an expert at scheduling “urgent” weekends, effortlessly unloading her two little whirlwinds onto Irina’s shoulders. Denis, her devoted spouse, always met his sister’s requests with surprising eagerness, consistently ignoring his own wife’s desires and plans.
“Why?” The word slipped from Irina’s mouth in a hollow, resentful tone, the frozen shock melting into a rising flood of indignation.
Denis finally tore his gaze away from the game and looked at her with clear surprise, as if she had questioned a universal truth. “Why, because Alisa asked. You know she’s alone with the kids; it’s tough for her.”
“Tough?” Irina’s cheeks flushed red with emotion. “And do you imagine it’s easy for me to spend two precious days off chasing after two unruly children who ignore me since their mother indulges them endlessly?”
“Don’t exaggerate,” Denis scoffed. “They’re just kids. You’ll play, feed, and put them to bed. What’s so hard about that? Alisa will be grateful afterward.”
That “thank you” erupted inside Irina like a volcano. How often had she heard those empty words, offering no compensation for frayed nerves, ruined plans, or the feeling of exploitation?
- Her sister-in-law had a husband and mother nearby.
- She possessed plenty of friends to help.
- She was not Irina’s responsibility to babysit for free.
Standing abruptly, a tremor of tension coursed through her. “My plans for this weekend matter, Denis. Nothing more to discuss. I will not cancel them for your sister’s convenience.”
Denis stared at her, his eyes wide as though seeing her resolve for the first time. His face contorted with disbelief — she was usually compliant after some grumbling. But today, she was unyielding.
“Seriously?” he managed, a note of irritation creeping in. “But she’s family! Relatives should support one another.”
“Assistance is genuine when it’s needed and reciprocal, Denis. What’s happening here is exploitation, and I’m done,” Irina replied sharply.
Denis’s face flushed crimson. He hadn’t encountered such outright refusal, especially regarding his cherished sister. Her usual quiet protests or postponed concessions had vanished, replaced with firm determination. Bewildered, he grappled with her resistance, like confronting an invisible barrier.
“Are you mocking me? Alisa is family! We help each other — that’s normal and right. She’s not a stranger to treat poorly,” he argued.
Irina fixed him with a steady gaze, arms crossed, unwavering. “And who am I to her, Denis? A free nanny whenever she needs to escape? When she claims urgent plans, I’m summoned. But when I have commitments or seek rest, no one considers me. My weekends, my energy, my time—always for her demands.”
Denis paced, attempts to contain rising anger evident. He stopped by the window and drummed his fingers. Then, pivoting sharply, he said, “You don’t understand! She’s alone with two kids. Her husband constantly works, and kids require nonstop care. As a woman, should you not empathize?”
“Precisely because I’m a woman who comprehends childcare, I refuse to bear others’ responsibilities endlessly,” Irina countered firmly. “Alisa’s husband should take time off or adjust his work schedule. She has your mother nearby, who adores the grandchildren and lives not far away. Why me? Why does Alisa always rely on me when she wants freedom?”
Denis waved it off. “Mom can’t always help—she has health issues. Seryoga supports the family and works hard. He can’t drop everything every time Alisa wants. And you’ll be home regardless—what’s the difference if it’s for your things or babysitting? The kids adore you.”
Irina thought bitterly, “They only love me because I allow what their mother disallows and clean up their mess.” Aloud she said, “It matters to me, Denis. I had plans to visit the gallery, to reunite with Katya, and to enjoy rest. Don’t I deserve that? Are my desires always last?”
Denis exploded. “You’re always like this! No respect for my family! To you, my relatives mean nothing, only your selfish wants!”
Irina flinched but stood firm. The accusation of selfishness was a worn-out tactic Denis employed when he lacked arguments. In the past, she might have faltered or justified herself, but not now.
“And does your family show consideration when they dump their burdens onto me shamelessly? When Alisa calls Friday night demanding my plans be canceled because she ‘needs to relax’? Is that understanding? Family values? I call it abuse, and I’m done with it. I’m not going to Alisa’s. End of story. Let her solve her problems or hire a professional nanny if she’s that busy. Seryoga probably can afford it.”
Denis was speechless, words stuck. The match ended unnoticed; their living room hosted a far more heated conflict. The first round clearly belonged to Irina, though she knew the war had just begun—Denis and Alisa would not relent.
Breathing heavily, Denis nervously clenched and unclenched his fingers, searching for an angle to regain control. Finding none, he silently grabbed his phone and left the kitchen, muttering to his sister about his “ungrateful, selfish wife.”
Irina smiled faintly, anticipating Alisa’s eventual call. About ten minutes later, her phone rang, displaying “Alisa.” She prepared herself and answered with calm force.
“Hello, Irish, sunshine!” Alisa’s voice dripped with saccharine sweetness that made Irina grit her teeth. “How are you? What’s up?”
“Hello, Alisa,” Irina replied flatly, withholding a mimicry of the tone. “Just planning my weekend.”
“Oh, wonderful! Denis said… well, he might have misunderstood, but I wanted to ask you to watch my angels Saturday and Sunday. I have such crucial, absolutely vital plans! Canceling would be disastrous. You’ll help, right? The kids adore you; they can’t stop talking about when Aunt Ira will come.”
- “Angels” who wreak havoc in her absence.
- “Vital plans” that usually equaled partying or shopping sprees.
- Endless manipulation with “the kids love you so much.”
Interrupting, Irina held a firm but calm voice: “Alisa, I told Denis I have plans this weekend. I won’t be watching your children.” Silence followed, revealing Alisa’s surprise; her charm failed.
“How can you say no? I was counting on you! It’s serious! We’re family and must support one another. What plans can’t wait?”
“My plans are mine, Alisa,” Irina said sharply, patience thinning. “I won’t justify myself. You have a husband and mother; why not ask them? Your friends must help too, since you spend so much time with them.”
Alisa’s sweetness vanished, replaced by irritation. “Mom is unwell; Seryozha works nonstop. My friends? What do they have to do with this? You’re like family! I thought you’d understand.”
“Being understanding means not exploiting kindness or expecting others to fix your problems,” Irina retorted. “I’m tired of being your default helper. Hire a professional nanny. I’m sure your family budget allows it. Don’t bother me again. I’m not coming. Period.”
Irina ended the call, hands trembling not from fear but released tension. She sensed the coming storm — and soon, the kitchen door slammed open.
Denis entered seething. “What did you say to her? She called me, nearly crying! Said you were rude. You’re embarrassing me and ruining family ties!”
Irina met his gaze calmly, anger unrestrained. “I spoke the truth you fear to say: Alisa is an adult responsible for her children and plans, not someone to offload on others. If your family bonds depend on me being a servant to their whims, they mean nothing. Perhaps you should wonder why Alisa always uses us to ‘free herself’.”
Denis, unable to respond, accused, “You just hate and envy her!”
“Hate? Envy?” Irina laughed bitterly. “Denis, wake up. There’s nothing to envy — she can’t spend a day with her own kids without forcing them on someone else. I pity her and you for not seeing it. Feeling sorry isn’t the same as being a doormat.”
That evening passed heavy with silence. Denis retreated, ignoring Irina. She finished her tea slowly, finding calm in methodical kitchen chores, knowing this dispute was only an opening skirmish. The real confrontation lay ahead.
Saturday dawned bright, hinting at fragile truce. Denis appeared worn, avoided eye contact, and left quietly. Irina’s plans held firm as she prepared to go to the gallery.
Suddenly, a ringing interrupted her readiness. Through the peephole, Alisa stood, dragging Maxim and Vera along, a small suitcase nearby. Denis, peeking out, looked confused.
Opening the door, Irina met Alisa’s forced cheer. “Irochka, hi! Here we are!” she cooed, trying to enter.
Without moving, Irina blocked the children. “Alisa, wrong time or place,” she said firmly.
As the smile melted away, Alisa blinked. “What do you mean? Denis said it was agreed.”
Denis blushed, stumbling. “Alisa, well… I told you… Ira…”
“I told you both I can’t watch the kids,” Irina said coldly. “I have other plans and won’t cancel.”
“But I planned everything! Tickets bought! Can’t cancel! Are you mocking me?” Alisa’s voice faltered.
Children whimpered, sensing tension.
“You mock us all, Alisa!” Irina snapped.
Denis, outraged, protested, “Ira, she’s family! You can’t do this!”
“I can and will,” Irina replied, eyes icily locked on him. “I’m done being your convenient helper. My wishes don’t count.”
“What could be more important than family?” Alisa yelled, furious. “You’re selfish and heartless! You hate my kids!”
“Stop lying, Alisa,” Irina’s tone hardened. “I dislike your manipulation, not the children. You expect everyone to obey you — but it’s over. Find another nanny, or maybe their uncle will take responsibility since you’re so busy.”
Denis reddened, wounded by his wife’s public challenge.
“Don’t speak to me or my sister like that! I won’t allow it!” he shouted.
“Don’t tell me what to do, Denis. If you dislike an independent wife who won’t serve your family, pack and move to your sister. I’m heading to the gallery.”
With that, Irina slung on her purse, strode past stunned Denis and Alisa, and closed the door firmly behind her, ignoring the angry protests behind it.
Walking away, Irina felt an odd mix of emptiness and liberation. This scandal marked a turning point. Her connection to Denis and his family would never be the same. Their marriage might even end here. Yet she felt a heavy burden lift — she had finally said “no.” Not just to them, but to herself. From now on, she vowed never again to be the unpaid nanny forced to sacrifice her life for others.
Conclusion: Irina’s steadfast refusal to remain a pawn in family demands illustrates a vital lesson about boundaries within close relationships. Her story highlights the importance of respecting personal time and the courage required to resist exploitation, especially within family dynamics. It reminds us that true family support must be genuine and reciprocal, rather than one-sided imposition. Ultimately, Irina’s stand serves as an empowering example of reclaiming autonomy and demanding respect in personal life.