DEAR HARRIETTE: A family with two little girls moved in nearby. The girls are adorable, and the parents ask me to baby-sit often. The first time I went over to watch the girls, the parents were extremely sweet and cool. When they got home at the end of the night, the mom suggested that her husband drive me home. Everything was fine until he started to say a few things that made me uncomfortable; I brushed it off because I thought it was all in my head.
A couple of weekends later, the mom texted me asking to baby-sit for the girls again. I said yes and went over. At the end of the night, the mom suggested that her husband drive me home again. I insisted that it was OK and that I would rather walk because I live around the corner, but her husband was adamant that he got me home safe. This time, the husband started making suggestive remarks to me that made me extremely uncomfortable. I told my mom, and she told me to never baby-sit for this family again. I feel bad because the mom texts me often to baby-sit for the girls. Should I tell her that I am no longer interested in watching them? -- Uncomfortable Baby Sitter, Towson, Maryland
DEAR UNCOMFORTABLE BABY SITTER: Your mother is right in saying you should not work for this family anymore. I think you should take it one step further and reveal to the mother what happened. Do not embellish; simply tell her what her husband said to you and how it made you feel. This could come as a total shock to her. If so, it may prompt her to have a heart-to-heart with her husband.
There is a chance that she is aware of her husband's behavior. This couple may be swingers making an overture to you. No matter what the reason, you should remain clear on your intention, which is to tell the mom why you will no longer baby-sit for the family.