18-year-old highschooler takes off on flight alone after step-dad, mom and siblings miss boarding call: 'They were relying on me'

Author image for Remy Millisky
Remy Millisky • Writer and Editor
Mar 25, 2025 3:00 PM EDT

One high schooler got to have a high-flying adventure all on her own, while her family got stuck at the airport.

Flying on your own can actually be more relaxing than flying with a huge group. Have you ever tried to get a group of 5 or 10 people coordinated to go to the airport at the same time? It's like herding cats. Someone will forget their passport, another needs a drink of water, and now someone can't find their keys. Home Alone wasn't kidding with their depiction of trying to get a whole family to the airport. Much like that classic movie, this kid also spent time alone while trying to embark on a family trip. But in her case, she was the only one of the family who actually made it on board her flight in time! Instead of trying to manage her family members, she just decided to hop on board her flight. 

When you're flying by yourself, you only have to manage one person. No worrying about your 3 and 6-year-old siblings, no telling mom and dad to hurry up. It's just you, your cup of soda on your tray, and a good movie to pass the time. 

Next, read about the 14-year-old step siblings who are squabbling over a basement renovation project and getting the whole family involved in the messy dispute: "My stepdaughter can't return home until she pays my daughter back."

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    Cheezburger Image 10485432064
    via Curated Lifestyle For Unsplash+

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

  • 02

    "AITAH for boarding a flight without my family?"

    I'm 18f and in highschool, currently traveling for the holidays. I was supposed to fly down with my mom, her husband Phil, and my young half siblings (3 and 6 years old) to spend Christmas with my maternal grandparents. We live in California and my grandparents
    via u/[deleted]
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    live in Wisconsin, so we don't see them very often, and when we do we fly. This was my half siblings' first time flying, and they didn't handle the airport well at all, and my mom and Phil handled them even worse.
    via u/[deleted]
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    They screamed and cried the whole time, and I was basically expected to take over my mom's part of the parenting because she's pregnant, which I mostly did without complaint. Right before our boarding group was called (the last boarding group since we're not rich Imao) my mom ran off to use the bathroom.
    via u/[deleted]
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    I waited with Phil and the kids until last call, but my mom still wasn't back, so I left them behind and boarded. I offered to take the kids with me if Phil wanted to stay back for my mom, but he insisted that the family had to stay together. I went to board but he grabbed my arm and took this fatherly tone that he freaking
    via u/[deleted]
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    knows I hate, and basically ordered me to stay with him and the kids. I boarded anyway and left them all behind. I was really looking forward to spending time with my grandparents, and I honestly couldn't care less what Phil tells me to do, he's not my dad.
    via u/[deleted]
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    Anyway when I landed and got service back, I had a ton of texts voicemails, but I only listened to a couple of them since they were basically all either Phil and the kids saying how much they miss me or my mom crying about how abandoned and she feels. I'm at my grandparents' house now and they've invited me to stay for the
    via u/[deleted]
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    rest of winter break and said they'd pay for my flight home. I really want to accept since a week without little kids around sounds really nice, but I know my mom and Phil will be ped at me if I do. I also know that they're
    via u/[deleted]
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    were relying on me to look after the kids when they both have to go back to work, and if I stay here in Wisconsin they'd have to take unpaid time off or use up precious sick days, or hire a babysitter, and I know they hate doing that.
    via u/[deleted]
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    This whole situation has made me feel rotten, like a daughter and sister, but I can't really talk to anyone irl about it since my friends are back in California spending Christmas Eve with their families. I guess I just wanted to get this off my chest anonymously/ask if I'm in the wrong here.
    via u/[deleted]
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    Cheezburger Image 10485432832
    via Getty Images For Unsplash+

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

  • 12
    J. You're 18. Better to break the cycle now. You aren't responsible for their choices to have kids. Fortunately the cost of living in Wisconsin is much cheaper. This is a hard situation but you are clearly NTA. You should probably get out of that house sooner rather than later before you wake up at 28 as a full time caregiver.
    via u/JoelPMMichaels
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    [deleted] um do not feel bad...you didnt get your mom pregnant. and why in the h | are they having so many kids if they cant handle the 2 they have already? look its great youre helping. take care of your younger siblings but its not your duty to do so.
    via u/[deleted]
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    so nta, and kinda for mom & phil to expect you too. stay at your grandparents and let yer mom be pissy.
    via u/[deleted]
  • 15
    Stay in Wisconsin. You deserve a vacation away from your family. Why is your mother pregnant AGAIN? That's her choice, and not your problem. Rest and relax with your grandparents. Don't let your family guilt you into leaving until you're good and ready...which they were not when it counted at the airport.
    via u/Actavisian
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    Have a great time! (And turn off your phone!)
    via u/Actavisian

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Tags

family drama aita mother family daughter Father kids flight step family step father
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