‘Why would I help you?’: Neglectful parents force 17-year-old daughter to babysit newborn sibling, claiming it's ‘paying back’ for all they did for her, daughter refuses

Author image for Bar Mor Hazut
Bar Mor Hazut • Senior Editor
Oct 14, 2024 5:00 PM EDT

Every day you get older, the more it dawns on you that your parents are just people, which might help you come to terms with everything that happened in your childhood. Or, it might make you resent them even more because they decided to become parents when they had no idea what they were doing. 

Recently, I passed the age my mom was when she had my older sister, and it made me wonder how she managed to do it when I could not feel further away from having kids of my own. Thankfully, I do not resent my mom, and I actually think she did a great job, but I am fully aware that many kids out there do not share my feelings toward their own parents, much like the daughter in this Reddit story.

After her parents pretty much ignored OP (original poster) for 17 years, they suddenly bring to life a second child. This leads to a dramatic family dispute when OP refuses to help them raise her newborn sister, claiming it is not her responsibility. 

Keep scrolling to read the full story. After you are done, click here for a story of a kid who refused to accommodate their step-siblings' food allergies.

Advertisement
  • 01
    Cheezburger Image 10415847424
    via Daniela Jovanovska-Hristovska

    This image is for illustration only, and the subjects are models; the image does not depict the actual subjects of the story.
     

  • 02
    AITA for telling my parents I didn't have a kid, they did, and they need to take care of her not me?
    via SignificantFan8104
  • 03
    My parents had me (15f) when they were 18 and 19. They always made it so obvious they resented being parents so young and added to that they never tried to be good parents. I typically spend
    via SignificantFan8104
  • 04
    most of my time at friends houses. I don't have extended family to rely on, they disowned my parents for having me so young, so friends houses were a positive in my life that made me
    via SignificantFan8104
  • 05
    feel more comfortable than being at home with my parents. My parents never did the typical parent stuff like helping with homework or showing up to
    via SignificantFan8104
  • 06
    support me at school. I don't think they ever attended a parents conference for me. They ignored a lot of stuff I needed to get signed and I'd have to get right in their face on the last day
    via SignificantFan8104
  • 07
    to get signatures. My birthday and Christmas have never been a big deal or celebration. They do celebrate their wedding anniversary but that's a them thing.
    via SignificantFan8104
  • 08
    When they told me two years ago they were expecting a baby it really surprised me but then it hurt because sometimes they said stuff that made me feel like I didn't exist. Like how they were
    via SignificantFan8104
  • 09
    SO excited to have a baby and how they couldn't wait to be parents. A friend of my mom's did remind her of me but then she and dad said I was basically the too early practice run and this
    via SignificantFan8104
  • 10
    was the real deal. When my sister was born they were so attentive to her that I ceased to exist completely. I got sick and my school was trying to call someone to pick me up early but they
    via SignificantFan8104
  • 11
    ignored the calls and when I got home they had taken the baby out for a family day. When they got home they hadn't even realized the school called because they turned off their phones to "enjoy family time".
    via SignificantFan8104
  • 12
    My mom quit her job a month after my sister was born. She wants to be a SAHM and she and dad want at least one more kid. My dad leaves work early on Fridays so he can spend more time with the family (mom and
    via SignificantFan8104
  • 13
    sister). My parents tried to have another kid for over a year and mom isn't pregnant yet so they're jumping to fertility treatments. They told me I need to watch my sister for a few hours every week
    via SignificantFan8104
  • 14
    while they attend those appointments and they gave me this detailed list of stuff she needs and what I'm going to do with her. I told them I won't and that they had her so they need to take care of her because she's not
    via SignificantFan8104
  • 15
    my kid. My parents told me it's a few hours a week and not a huge deal. Dad told me I need to look at it as paying back all they did for me. I said no and told them they don't give a about me so why would I want to help them. AITA?
    via SignificantFan8104
  • 16
    puntacana24 15h ago Colo-rectal Surgeon [45] NTA - Neglecting to pick you up when you are sick and calling your life a "practice run" is such a horrible thing to get from your parents, and I'm sorry they have neglected you.
    via puntacana24
  • 17
    StAlvis 15h ago Galasstic Overlord [1971] ΝΤΑ My parents told me it's... not a huge deal. Yeah, well, neither is learning to be satisfied with the children you already have.
    via StAlvis
  • 18
    어 fiestafan73 14h ago Enthusiast [8] Tell them you'll do it if they can name your favorite food, favorite color, and best friend. When they can't, tell them you'll be giving their baby exactly as much attention as they have given to you over the years. Give them that wake-up call. They clearly need it. NTA.
    via fiestafan73
  • 19
    • HandBananas Revenge 14h ago • Partassipant [2] NTA. They clearly just see you as a babysitter and it sounds like they couldn't even do the bare minimum for you when you were growing up.
    via HandBananasRevenge
  • 20
    WriterShot405 • 15h ago • You're not the bad guy here; it sounds like you've been put in a really unfair position. It's completely reasonable to want your parents to take responsibility for their child, especially given their lack of support for you.
    via WriterShot405
  • 21
    Katja1236 14h ago Certified Proctologist [25] Tell them you are paying them back, in the same coin. You are ignoring and refusing to parent their child as they ignored and refused to parent you. Simple as that.
    via Katja1236
  • 22
    GloomyComfort • 14h ago Enthusiast [5] Dad told me I need to look at it as paying back all they did for me. They did the bare minimum to keep you alive. That's not magnanimous. You don't owe them anything. NTA.
    via GloomyComfort
  • 23
    Cranky70something 12h ago • Partassipant [1] At some point when your parents (I use the term loosely) are out of the house, start going through their paperwork and finding out as much as you can. Then track down your family from any information you find.
    via Cranky70something
  • 24
    People leave traces and clues. It's almost impossible to go through life in this society without having to reveal to someone your mother's maiden name, for example.
    via Cranky70something
  • 25
    And for your own sake after you leave when you turn 18, get a copy of your birth certificate and any other information that is relevant to you. Prepare now for the break you know is inevitable.
    via Cranky70something
  • 26
    SignificantFan8104 OP • 12h ago • I already have my birth certificate. I needed to look for it for school once. My parents had no idea where it was and I freaked that they tossed it. The thing is tore up but it's something I keep in my room now. Looks so messed up. They'd tossed it in a box of "j、 k stuff".
    via SignificantFan8104
  • 27
    appleblossom1962 14h ago • NTA. You didn't ask to be born. They could have given you up for adoption as it seems your grandparents didn't care. You owe them NOTHING except respect, as in behave yourself. You are not your sisters keeper, let mom and dad deal with it. I wish that there was someone
    via appleblossom1962
  • 28
    you could turn to and get out. Study hard. Get a good job, go to trade school, college or the military when you are old enough. I wish you the best of luck
    via appleblossom1962
  • 29
    SignificantFan8104 OP • 14h ago • Exactly!! I didn't pick them or pick being born. They had more control than I did but decided to sw me up instead.
    via SignificantFan8104

Want More? Follow Us and Add Us as a Preferred Source on Google.

Tags

family drama aita mother siblings reddit story babysitting entitled family sister newborn daughter Reddit parents entitled people Father
Scroll Down For The Next Article