Update:

Really gross how people are saying I’m ungrateful!! I have watched their dog plenty, I’m saying that this happens almost every holiday and it’s unfair to MY family that I am responsible for. I’m also very close to my parents and they know what type of person I am. They watch my kids and we show them gratitude by helping with the dog, we buy them dinner certificates randomly, I always bring a bottle of wine for my mom on Fridays when I pick them up I treat my mom to spa days, etc. I literally NEVER say no to my mom. I am feeling guilty for wanting to say no for the 4th. The dog can’t stay over because I have two cats. We had the dog stay over once and my one cat was traumatized for a while and started peeing on our shower mat (it stopped).

We have a family dog that’s really old. My parents are retired now so they like to enjoy themselves and go on getaways which they deserve. They also watch my kids a few times a week while my husband and I work. We offered daycare, but they insisted. Here’s the problem...when they go away on getaways they ask me to come stay at their house to watch the dog overnight. I truly don’t mind it here and there, but it’s becoming more frequent and for longer durations. I have a family...2 very small children and a husband. We have our own house and our own routines. They constantly ask during holidays (like Memorial Day weekend, Labor Day, etc Not major ones) which means I have to either leave my whole family or take the girls with me (my husband likes sleeping home). I think they’re going to ask me to stay w the dog for 4th of July. I absolutely don’t want to but I feel so guilty saying no bc they watch our kids 3-4 days a week!! I have off all summer, so work ends next week. Should I feel guilty saying no? I feel like they need to find a sitter.