Babysitter Orders Food From DoorDash, Unprepared for Message From the Mom
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
A babysitter who briefly stepped outside to grab a DoorDash order was unprepared for the backlash from the mother when she got home.
In a post on Reddit's r/AmIOverreacting thread, u/South-Eagle-300 said that the mom discovered, via a Ring doorbell camera, that someone had approached the door.
The visitor was a food delivery driver, summoned by the babysitter, who said they hadn't eaten since lunch and was developing a headache. The children, both aged under 2, were reportedly asleep at the time.
Stock image: A mom shouts at a babysitter in a home.
Stock image: A mom shouts at a babysitter in a home.
shironosov
"The mom told me she was uncomfortable that someone came to the door and that I 'left the kids alone'," the Reddit user wrote.
The post included screenshots of the text exchange with the children's mother, showing a rapid shift in tone once the food delivery was discovered.
Initially, the sitter asked for an update on the parents' return, noting they were already over two hours later than expected.
The mother replied: "We are taking the 10:30 train so we should be home at 11:30."
But, moments later, things escalated when the mom texted to ask whether the sitter had something delivered.
After the sitter confirmed it was DoorDash, the mom responded saying that she was "concerned" about doing this without asking her first.
"I would never be okay with a stranger coming to the door while my kids are sleeping. I really wish you had asked me before doing that," the text read.
The mother went on to request that the babysitter double-check that both the storm door and the door chain were locked, adding that she needed to "fully trust who's here."
In follow-up texts, the sitter apologized and said that they had waited until the delivery person left before stepping outside and had locked everything behind her.
The sitter also mentioned having babysat for other families where ordering food was never an issue.
But the parents remained firm, responding that their concern wasn't about the babysitter being hungry—it was about someone coming to the door without their knowledge, and the babysitter stepping outside without informing anyone.
When the parents returned, the sitter was told they couldn't be trusted anymore and was subsequently fired.
At the time of writing, the post received more than 31,000 upvotes and over 5,600 comments.
Many commenters sided with the sitter, pointing out the double standard of leaving children with a near-stranger while expressing outrage over a 10-second trip to the porch.
"People are crazy like if you're THAT concerned about your kids maybe you should take care of your own kids: sorry you lost clients that sucks," one user wrote.
"I think the fact that she hired a stranger off Facebook to watch them and left them alone with her speaks volumes and she's a hypocrite to complain about food delivery in the way it was done here," another posted.
Parenting consultant Jo Hayes told Newsweek that the babysitter's starvation may put the children at greater risk than opening the door to retrieve her food.
"If they haven't eaten since lunchtime, their cognitive functions and general physical energy would be diminished, meaning they're in a less-than-ideal position to deal with any babysitting emergencies, should they arise," Hayes said.
A third user believed the mom managed to redirect the attention away from how much later they would actually be arriving home.
"At least now you'll be able to spot it next time … because there WILL be a next time. It's how these people move through the world," the user wrote.
Newsweek reached out to u/South-Eagle-300 via Reddit.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Newsweek
13 minutes ago
- Newsweek
He Survived the Unthinkable: Cat With 5 Fractures Finds the Love he Deserves -
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A British Blue cat who endured horrific abuse during the first year of his life has found a loving new home after months of recovery and rehabilitation. Benito was subjected to repeated episodes of blunt force trauma while in the care of a former owner. Between March and September 2023, vets recorded a catalogue of severe injuries, including a fractured right femur, broken leg, injured pelvic limb, a limp tail, a chest injury, and hind leg limping. Each injury was sustained in separate incidents—raising serious concerns. In November 2023, Benito's condition worsened. His owner returned him to the vet after he became weak, was meowing while walking, and could barely stand. He was suffering from a head tremor, knuckling on all four limbs, and had become unusually subdued. Further examination revealed a fractured spine. The veterinary team became increasingly concerned that they were not accidental. Their suspicions prompted them to contact the U.K.'s largest animal welfare charity, the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA), which promptly launched an investigation into the disturbing case. An x-ray showing five skeletal fractures. The British Blue can be seen lying in his enclosure with a bandage around his paw. An x-ray showing five skeletal fractures. The British Blue can be seen lying in his enclosure with a bandage around his paw. RSPCA Courts in the UK now have the authority to impose tougher penalties for severe animal cruelty, with maximum prison sentences extended from six months to five years under the Animal Welfare (Sentencing) Act. The law, effective since June 2021, also allows for unlimited fines and targets extreme offenses such as dog fighting, puppy abuse, ear cropping, and severe neglect. In contrast, animal cruelty laws in the U.S. remain inconsistent. As of 2024, only 22 states mandate possession bans after a cruelty conviction—often limited to specific crimes or species—while 20 states, Guam, and Washington, D.C., permit such bans at the court's discretion. When Benito was rescued, he was unable to stand and appeared hand-shy when approached near his face. Benito had broken teeth and a burn. Benito had broken teeth and a burn. RSPCA Inspector Vicki Taylor said in a statement: "It is saddening to see the history of Benito and all the injuries he has sustained in a short period of time. The investigation also revealed a photograph of a burn that Benito had suffered, Benito was clearly being hurt regularly by his owner." Authorities removed Benito from his home and placed him in the care of the RSPCA's Newbrook Animal Hospital in Birmingham, England, where he received urgent treatment for his spinal fracture. He was administered pain relief every eight hours for a month, antibiotics, and physiotherapy. Due to his immobility, staff turned him every six hours, helped him toilet, and fed him while he lay on his chest to avoid additional pain Following six weeks of cage rest and gentle physiotherapy, Benito began to show signs of recovery. He was placed into foster care before being adopted by Sugra Sabri, 54, and her daughter Razeenah. Sugra Sabri holding Benito, who can also be seen drinking from a bowl. Sugra Sabri holding Benito, who can also be seen drinking from a bowl. RSPCA Sabri shared her account of Benito's initial struggles when he arrived at their home in a statement. She said: "We had a separate room ready for him as advised so that he could get used to his own space first before the rest of the house but he just ran out, with his tail curled in and hid in the corner. "He wasn't interested in food, he just huddled in the corner, he didn't want anyone near him. It took him about a week but slowly he came into the kitchen to nose around and move towards us." Initially uninterested in even simple pleasures, Benito didn't care to watch birds from the window—a typical pastime for many cats. "It took about five months before he started sitting at the window to watch birds," Sabri said. "Now he's lovely, and he has the full run of the house. He's very gentle and loving, never scratches, if he doesn't want more pets he will just move away. Although he's not a lap cat, he hadn't had that from a young age so I don't think it comes naturally to him. He will come and sit by us but not on us. "He likes people to sit with him whilst he sleeps, and have someone around with him though which is nice. If he wants pets he will lie on the floor with his legs in the air!" Sabri and her daughter quickly bonded with Benito, nicknamed "Benny," and made the decision to keep him. "I wanted to foster lots of different cats but Benny is just so adorable, sweet and gentle that the idea of giving him up just didn't sit right with me," she said. "My daughter is so close to him too—he turned two this month so as it's also my daughter's birthday they had a joint birthday party at my daughter's insistence. She loves him too, she's well into animals and especially cats, and he brings us both a lot of joy!" Although physically healed, Benito still experiences anxiety. He remains easily startled by loud noises, avoids direct eye contact, and is wary of new visitors. Still, his progress is encouraging. "He would shoot off when we had visitors but now he's quite happy to lounge around even when we have visitors and he's got a lot of fans," Sugra said. "We call him a small cuddly bear as he's so soft and cuddly, visitors love him, we love him!"
Time Business News
7 hours ago
- Time Business News
Your Family. Your Rights. Our Priority: CPS Defense and Juvenile Dependency Advocacy in Southern California
When Child Protective Services or the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) intervenes, your family's future may feel uncertain. Whether you're facing allegations of abuse or neglect, or your parental rights are at risk, you need a strong advocate. Our firm is proud to serve families throughout San Bernardino County, Los Angeles County, and Orange County, offering experienced representation in CPS defense and juvenile dependency matters. Dedicated CPS Defense in San Bernardino County From Ontario to Victorville, we fight to protect your rights in the face of DCFS investigations. If you need a CPS defense lawyer in San Bernardino County, we handle everything from emergency removals to reunification hearings. Key areas we serve include: CPS defense lawyer Ontario CA Juvenile dependency attorney Fontana CA Parental rights lawyer San Bernardino CA Juvenile Dependency Lawyers in Los Angeles County Los Angeles County families deserve skilled representation when DCFS becomes involved. We are skilled DCFS defense lawyers in Los Angeles. We understand the complexities of Welfare and Institutions Code § 300 proceedings and fight for favorable outcomes in cities such as: CPS defense lawyer in Los Angeles CA DCFS defense lawyer Pasadena CA Child abuse defense lawyer Glendale CA Experienced Representation in Orange County Juvenile Courts If you are dealing with Social Services or a CPS case in Orange County, our team is ready. We provide legal support from Santa Ana to Huntington Beach and beyond: CPS defense lawyer Santa Ana CA Juvenile dependency attorney Anaheim CA DCFS lawyer Irvine CA Legal Support for Complex Situations We also handle highly specific concerns, including: How to fight CPS allegations in [County Name] Getting children back from foster care Termination of parental rights under WIC § 300 False child abuse claims CPS appeals and emergency removals Why Localized Legal Strategy Matters Each county has its own dependency court system, agency policies, and procedural timelines. By creating targeted pages such as 'CPS Defense Lawyer San Bernardino County' or 'Juvenile Dependency Attorney Los Angeles County,' we ensure our legal content reaches families who need it most—right where they are. When your family's future is on the line, you need more than a general attorney. You need a CPS and juvenile dependency defense lawyer who understands your county, your court, and your fight. Contact us today for a confidential consultation. TIME BUSINESS NEWS
CNET
7 hours ago
- CNET
My Guide to Discussing Police or ICE Raids on Your Ring and Nextdoor Apps
As the number of ICE raids has increased this year, so has the discussion on social media. And that includes a lot of talk on apps like Ring Neighbors and Nextdoor as people catch events through security cams or video doorbells. This has led to some conflict, too: Users want to post about police activity in their area and warn others, but many have found that their posts get taken down. That's led to worries that apps are censoring certain kinds of discussion -- so I reached out to the companies to see what was going on. The news is mostly good: Posting about events like ICE raids is allowed and these social apps want people to have as many open conversations as possible, but only if you follow certain rules. Here's how stay inside the lines and keep your neighbors informed at the same time. Rules about reporting law enforcement activity on apps like Ring Neighbors Posts that name streets and other nearby locations are less likely to be removed. Tyler Lacoma/CNET When I reached out to Ring about its Neighbors app policies regarding recent events and police raids (as well as Reddit reports about posts being taken down), the company provided helpful information about its specific policies. I found out the reasons why Ring tends to remove certain posts or stop them from going live on Neighbors. For one thing, posts about a general law enforcement presence can get nixed. So if someone said ICE was spotted in "Bell Gardens," their post would be denied because that's just too vague. Or if a post asked, "Hey, is there any ICE activity in town?" it wouldn't be allowed. Other posts get banned if they: Explicitly obstruct law enforcement Voice political opinions Assume immigration status, or other types of prejudice Don't pertain to local events Ring Neighbors does allow posts about specific law enforcement activity Ring posts generally allow for specific information, but not broad discussion or accusations. Tyler Lacoma/CNET Posts that cite an exact location, or images showing agents directly connected to an event, tend to be fine. If someone said, "I saw ICE knocking on doors at the IHOP on Florence and Pico," that would be allowed, according to Ring's guidelines. Other allowed posts provide info on the exact cross streets, addresses, complexes, blocks and so on. Bans aren't always immediate. Sometimes posts that violate guidelines are taken down after the fact, either as a result of postpublication moderation, user flagging or user deletion. And customers can usually appeal moderation decisions for the sake of consistency. When I turned to Nextdoor, another popular neighborhood app used for discussing events, a company spokesperson said something similar: "Our platform fosters discussions of local issues and, as such, our Community Guidelines prohibit broad commentary or personal opinions on national political topics." As long as it's a local issue and users follow the basic community guidelines (be respectful, don't discriminate and use your true identity), then posts should be fine. Guidelines for posting on Ring Neighbors and more App users need to give details and thorough descriptions in their posts, especially if they're including a picture. Tyler Lacoma/CNET When I visit my own Neighbors app, I see -- contrary to some reports -- that users frequently post about hearing sirens or police activity in their own neighborhoods, ask about masked strangers or raise questions about law enforcement. Posts like these make it clear: You can still post about security concerns on Ring Neighbors and other apps, even and especially when they involve police activity. You can also post about people you don't recognize and strangers knocking, which opens the door (not literally) to talking about masked federal ICE agents that aren't wearing any identifiers. In other words, it looks like what Ring said holds true. Explicit information citing current, local events, preferably with address data, is allowed. "Focus on the behavior that raised your suspicion," Nextdoor recommends. "Describe the potentially criminal or dangerous activity you observed or experienced -- what the person was doing, what they said (if they spoke to you). Include the direction they were last headed." If you post with an eye toward the safety of your neighborhood, your post is less likely to be removed. Finally, avoid posts that include gruesome content, or that violate someone's privacy, which are also red flags likely to lead to a block. Can users coordinate with one another on apps like Ring Neighbors? Ring tends to allow conversations about what people can share concerning ongoing police events. Tyler Lacoma/CNET This is a gray area and it's difficult to know if discussions will get removed. In my experience on the Neighbors app, many discussions about sirens and unexplained police presence were left up, allowing people to provide additional information from their own perspectives, what they heard on police scanners and more. It's possible that the more these posts mention ICE or federal enforcement, the more likely they'll be removed, and if conversations move into discussions about national issues or general legal advice, they may be taken down. But many people have reported that they've successfully used apps like Neighbors to talk about nearby law enforcement raids, so I don't see any evidence of a blanket ban. Groups using the Neighbors app to communicate important information or provide help should also be aware of the Neighbors Verified tag, which is available to both public safety agencies and community organizations. This tag makes it easier for users of Neighbors to trust information and announcements from specific accounts. Verified accounts don't have access to any additional information about users. Reports of law enforcement covering up home doorbells and cameras An NBC affiliate in Denver, 9News, published footage of what it reported were federal agents covering up a video doorbell during a raid. (The Independent reported that ICE said it "does not comment on specific tactics, capabilities, or operational details.") It's unclear if a move like this is illegal under protections against unreasonable searches and seizures, but civil rights attorneys have said it is. If anything like this happens, it's best to immediately save the recording -- and remember that agents almost always need a warrant to enter your home. A few final rules to follow Often the best response to a federal raid is no response at all, as well as remembering your rights. Westend61/Getty Images Whether you're concerned about federal raids, curious about what law enforcement is doing in your area or just want clarification about worrying events, remember a few basic rules as outlined by the American Civil Liberties Union and the National Immigrant Justice Center: Don't escalate: In cases where federal agents or people appearing to be agents have knocked on doors, people have done nothing and simply waited for agents to leave. Remember, without a warrant, they usually can't enter a house, and if you have a video doorbell, it can still record everything that happens. Avoid confrontation when possible, and don't give law enforcement anything to act on. Remember, everyone still has the right to remain silent. If you feel your safety is endangered, call 911 or seek help from a nonprofit: Calling 911 is very helpful if you feel unsafe because of nearby events. You can explain the situation and have a record of the call. 911 is an emergency response service and isn't in the business of reporting to federal agents. There are also local immigrant rights agencies you can contact to report ICE, and groups like the ACLU can usually point you in the right direction. For more information, take a look at the latest news on what Ring is letting the police see (it's good news for privacy fans), the legal ramifications of recording video or audio in your home, and what you and landlords can legally do with security cameras.
