"She accused me of being an unsupportive brother:" Man babysits nephews for free and nephews break man's laptop, sister refuses to pay him back for laptop damage

Author image for Baiz Hoen
Baiz Hoen
Jan 13, 2025 7:00 PM EST

One of the best parts about being a kid was getting into hijinks. You know, wreaking some havoc. Causing a ruckus. Exercising your God-given right to tomfoolery. Back then, this meant running rampant around your neighborhood and ding-dong ditching the curmudgeonly old neighbor. Or maybe it meant sneaking into your older sibling's room and stealing their favorite shirt, only to completely ruin it by spilling your new fingerpaints all over the front. Nowadays, kids are so glued to their phones and video games that the shenanigans they think of are just… boring. Hacking mods on Roblox to get a cooler skin? Making fake Instagram accounts to tease your middle school crush? That doesn't sound like real hooliganism to me. Unfortunately, it seems that good old American fun is yet another thing that modern technology is ruining.

In this story, you'll hear how the new generation is terrorizing the babysitter: in this case, their uncle, who has graciously offered free babysitting services to their mom, his sister. In this modern age, you can work remotely while watching your nieces and nephews, and that's where OP makes his first mistake. Can the stunts his sister's kids pull push him over the edge? Or will he overcome it all for the sake of his family?


 

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  • 01
    ►/11 1 S 2 3 4 14 O W E R D S %
    via Ashkan Forouzani
  • 02
    AITA for refusing to babysit my sister's kids anymore after they broke my laptop? Hi everyone, I'm in a bit of a dilemma and could use some outside perspective. I (28M) have been helping my sister (33F) by babysitting her twin boys (5 years old) every other weekend for the past year. She's a single mom and I wanted to support her while she works or takes some time for herself.
    via WinnieWiles
  • 03
    Everything was going fine until last weekend. I had to step out of the room to take a phone call, and I left my work laptop on the living room table. I've told the boys multiple times not to touch my computer, but when I came back, I found my laptop on the floor with the screen cracked. It turns out they were trying to play a game on it and dropped it during their excitement.
    via WinnieWiles
  • 04
    I explained the situation to my sister, hoping she'd understand and help cover the repair costs since the laptop is essential for my job. However, she got defensive and said that I should've been watching them more closely and that I can't expect her to pay for the damages because money is tight for her right now.
    via WinnieWiles
  • 05
    I told her that I wouldn't be able to babysit until we resolved the issue about the laptop, as I can't risk any more damage to my belongings. This has caused a big argument, and she accused me of being an unsupportive brother and putting material things over family.
    via WinnieWiles
  • 06
    So, AITA for refusing to babysit her kids anymore until we sort out the laptop issue?
    via WinnieWiles
  • 07

    Resounding NTA from Redditors in the comments

    NTA. You were just trying to help, and your sister is being super unfair. It's not your fault her kids broke your laptop. She needs to take some responsibility for their actions. Maybe suggest a cheaper way to fix it, but don't let her walk all over you.
    via WinnieWiles
  • 08
    NTA. Great, another parent that doesn't know what accounbilty means. Just what the world needs. Well, it like this she can pay to fix the laptop, or she can pay for a babysitter until they are both old enough to look after themselves. Paying to fix the laptop is a pretty dam cheap deal. Best of luck.
    via WinnieWiles
  • 09
    NTA! Never work for free. She should at least pay for new laptop. Her kids are her responsibility
    via WinnieWiles
  • 10
    NTA. Free babysitting every other weekend for a year? A cracked screen is like a $200-$300 repair. Even if you asked her to cover the whole cost, that's a pittance compared to what she's saved in childcare costs.
    via WinnieWiles
  • 11
    NTA,, since your sister should be paying for repairs. Now you know not to leave anything valuable near those kids. Not having you babysit is a consequence for her.
    via WinnieWiles
  • 12
    NTA. It sounds like you didn't even ask her to replace the laptop, just pitch in to help. If she isn't willing to do that you shouldn't be babysitting and doing her a favor.
    via WinnieWiles
  • 13

    You tell 'em!

    Oh, h I no! She doesn't get to blow you off AND keep your free babysitting, too. NTA She had them, let HER take care of them. "Go find some other sucker, sis."
    via WinnieWiles
  • 14
    It's a terrible idea to babysit for a parent who doesn't give a about the damage their kids cause. NTA
    via WinnieWiles
  • 15
    Your sister is super unfair and super dumb. You are babysitting for free! Buying a new laptop or negotiate to pay slowly is the least she can do. Dumb Dumb. Babysitting for two boys for a year, every other weekend cost more than a laptop.
    via WinnieWiles
  • 16
    NTA. And you are doing too much. Every other weekend? For free??? Nope.
    via WinnieWiles
  • 17
    NTA. Free babysitting is over. I wouldn't even consider it until the laptop repair has been paid for. Tell any relatives who give you hassle for not continuing, that you'll pass on their offer to babysit to your sister.
    via WinnieWiles
  • 18
    Sis needs to understand that if she doesn't take accountability for her kids, then you won't be there. The problem isn't the kids, it's your sister. The boys are 5, they are acting like 5 year old boys. Sister could have shown the tiniest bit of remorse but no, she goes in hostile mode. You're good, OP, you're doing nothing wrong.
    via WinnieWiles
  • 19
    You are NTA. If her kids damaged something of yours then their mom should either replace it or help pay for repairs
    via WinnieWiles
  • 20
    "You are an unsupportive brother" while taking care of her kids? Nah she is delulu. Don't take care of her kids anymore! She can find someone that she will need to pay for.
    via WinnieWiles
  • 21
    NTA. You used that laptop for your job, so rather than "putting material things over family" you are putting your need to eat and have somewhere to live over your sister dumping so much of her parenting duties on you. Five is way too old to not understand "Don't touch". I suggest not babysitting again until the twins (and your sister) have learned that basic lesson.
    via WinnieWiles
  • 22
    NTA. I used to babysit my brother's kids all the time. I remember when his toddler broke my glasses, and my brother tried to blame me and refuse to pay. I wish I'd had your spine!
    via WinnieWiles
  • 23
    I just love the "you are not supporting me" line. I NEVER told you I would support you. I only said I would HELP you. Sorry Sis, I need to pick up a part-time job on the weekends I was babysitting. for you. I need to buy a new laptop, you know....
    via WinnieWiles

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family drama AITAH work technology reddit story uncle sister Reddit
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