18-year-old provides free babysitting for nieces and nephews, annoys family by claiming there are no rules when she babysits: 'What's the worst anyone can do to me? Take away my free babysitting?'

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Ally Perry • Writer and Editor
Jul 16, 2024 6:00 PM EDT

A major drawback of being one of the older kids in a family dynamic is that you can get lumbered with an unfair amount of responsibility. When you're old enough to be in charge of some things but still young enough to be bossed around, that's when you're in the sweet spot for being exploited by opportunistic family members.

One of the most common ways in which this happens is childcare. As any parent knows, finding somebody to mind your kids can be expensive and unreliable—unless you can get a teenage relative to do it, that is. This is what one young woman complained of after she found herself constantly babysitting her sister's kids for free. 

Although she claimed not to mind spending time with them, she was annoyed that all the adults of the family wanted her to adhere to strict rules while she was doing so. It's fair to say she rebelled against that, and Reddit was on her side.

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    Cheezburger Image 10374721792
    via Mieke Campbell

    Photo does not feature the real subjects in the story

  • 02
    AITA for telling all my family that if I'm babysitting there are no rules?
    via EasternDetective7182
  • 03
    My family tends to stick me (F18) with my nieces and nephews when we get together. I am also the go to for babysitting. I do not get paid for this because since my siblings watched me when I was little I owe them.
    via EasternDetective7182
  • 04
    I don't really mind. I love all the kids and they are well behaved and polite. With me at least because I don't put up with their . I established dominance early with all of them.
    via EasternDetective7182
  • 05
    I also have no to give when it comes to the rules regarding watching them. I would never allow them to get hurt or anything. I just won't follow a huge list of rules. If you want your kid to eat vegan then you better bring a vegan meal for them. Otherwise they get pizza. Or Dino nuggets. Or hot dogs. If they aren't allowed to watch "woke" movies or tv then it's up to you to provide a tv and media because I'm putting on Frozen or something.
    via EasternDetective7182
  • 06
    My parents keep telling me that I have to follow the rules when I'm babysitting. I just keep asking why? What's the worst anyone can do to me? Take away my free babysitting? Oh poor me? . So I took the kiddos We are in Jasper right now and it's been hot as cliff jumping at horseshoe lake. I brought them back wet and filthy. Everyone told me that I was being a Then I went and got a beer with some friends I made at the lake. babysitter. I offered a full refund.
    via EasternDetective7182
  • 07
    I have a full scholarship. When I turned 18 I also got a small inheritance. It's enough that I won't have to work for spending money during my university years and put a down payment on a house. I'll probably leave it though.
    via EasternDetective7182
  • 08
    I literally do not need financial help from my family. So they have no hold over me. My sibling and I all got the exact same inheritance. Except I was only three when my grandmother passed away so it's been collecting compound interest for almost twenty years. My trust fund is about four times what my siblings each got. My family thinks I'm being an entitled ass but they also won't pay me. I am more than willing to follow any rule I am paid to follow.
    via EasternDetective7182
  • 09
    warclonex NTA I do not get paid for this because since my siblings watched me when I was little I owe them. No, you dont get paid because they are entitled. They did this for your parents, not you. You owe them nothing for looking after you (on a technicality) in a sense.
    via warclonex
  • 10
    Nothing you have mentioned I would consider over the top, except maybe the cliff jumping depending on ages and height? Your situation with finances aside, if they want a list of rules, they can pay someone to follow them
    via warclonex
  • 11
    Eastern Detective 7182 The "cliffs" start at about three feet. I'm not looking to get them hurt.
    via EasternDetective7182
  • 12
    QCr8onQ FYI, my high school nieces make $35/hr, babysitting. Value your skills.
    via QCr8onQ
  • 13
    Limp-Star2137 me laugh my NTA. "I offered a full refund. Then I went and got a beer..." this made off. You've got everything sorted, don't actually owe them anything, but are still gracious enough to babysit cause you love the kids. Ita 100% on the parents to provide alternatives. Congrats on the scholorship!
    via Limp-Star2137
  • 14
    C_Visit_927 NTA. If anyone owes them free babysitting, it's your parents, not you. You are 18. You don't have to babysit, you have explained your parameters for babysitting, and by dropping off their kids they are agreeing.
    via C_Visit_927
  • 15
    Jackalopeisa2nicorn There are two kinds of help, good help and free help.
    via Jackalopeisa2nicorn
  • 16
    kamwick I bet they consider you the cool aunt.
    via kamwick
  • 17
    New-Dentist-7346 NTA. I personally have a problem with people using their kids as free babysitters because of how I was treated. From my perspective about respect. First, you don't owe Second, you should always be asked if your available and willing. It should not be expected.
    via New-Dentist-7346
  • 18
    Now if you're offering occasionally, that's one thing. But it should not be expected that you will just do whatever whenever because you owe them.
    via New-Dentist-7346

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family drama aita babysitter kids niece babysitting family reddit thread Reddit nephew
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