17-year-old refuses to babysit 27-year-old sister's 3 children aged 6, 4, and 2 years old after sister says jokes that she's “basically a live-in nanny”: ‘I was so mad that I decided right then and there that I was done’

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Brad Dickson • Managing Editor
Mar 31, 2025 7:00 PM EDT

If you've ever looked at moving away from your hometown family, you'll hear a lot from your relatives about how it's going to be harder living somewhere away from them and without the "family support system." Those who are of an age where they might be considering having children will hear a lot of this. Particularly from expectant would-be grandparents who don't want their grandchildren growing up somewhere away from them.

While this might seem like a scam to keep you nearby, they have a legitimate point. It really is a lot harder when you're living somewhere without close family nearby, and it's important to remember here that as soon as kids enter the picture, the phrase "family support system" really means one thing: free child care.



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This is something people tend to take for granted when they have it. Like this older sister did in a story shared by her younger sister to this popular online community. See, it's really hard to convince people to look after your children, even if they are of your own flesh and family.

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  • 01

    "The next time she texted me, “Hey, can you watch the kids Saturday?” I just replied, “No, I’m busy.”"

    Cheezburger Image 10488378368
    via Getty Images For Unsplash+

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

  • And paying for childcare is extremely expensive and seldom has overnight care options unless you have a babysitter you really trust but, again, that relies on some kind of social connection. There's a reason it's so challenging and expensive. Looking after kids is a lot of work and a constant process that few would willingly subject themselves to.

    But, if you do live near family and they're helping you with your children for free, you'd be mighty foolish to throw away a good thing and jeopardize that over something so petty as impolite comments directed toward them. But that's what this older sister did, causing her younger sister to rescind the privileges of her time that she had been offering.

  • 02

    "AITA for refusing to babysit my sister’s kids after she embarrassed me at a family dinner?"

    So, I (17F) have an older sister, "Lisa" (27F), who has three kids (6M, 4F, and 2F). She's always asking me to babysit for free, and I usually do it because I love my nieces and nephew. But lately, I feel like she's been taking advantage of me. Last weekend, we had a big family dinner at my parents' house. Everything was fine until my mom jokingly mentioned how I've been focusing on school a lot lately, and Lisa goes, "Yeah, because she doesn't have a life otherwise. No boyfriend, no social life
    via IntroductionRude8359
  • 03
    I laughed it off at first, but she kept going, making jokes about how I'm "basically a live-in nanny" and how she's doing me a favor by giving me "something to do." The whole table. was laughing, and I was sitting there embarrassed as h I. My dad even said, "Lisa, that's enough," but she shrugged it off. I was so mad that I decided right then and there that I was done. The next time she texted me, "Hey, can you watch the kids Saturday?" I just replied, "No, I'm busy." She asked me with what, and
    via IntroductionRude8359
  • 04
    Now she's furious, saying I'm being childish and punishing her kids over a joke. Even my mom is saying I should "be the bigger person." But I feel like if I don't set a boundary now, she'll keep walking all over me. AITA? Edit: thank you so much I was going to cave in and say srry cause i really like spending time with her kids. also for the people saying it's ai, I used chatgpt to edit my grammar because when I ramble I tend to miss words and a lot of stuff doesn't make sense, I just wanted it
    via IntroductionRude8359
  • 05

    "I laughed it off at first, but she kept going, making jokes about how I’m “basically a live-in nanny” and how she’s doing me a favor by giving me “something to do.”"

    Cheezburger Image 10488387072
    via Getty Images For Unsplash+
  • 06
    peakpenguins NTA. You should be the bigger person? She's 27 years old ffs. She was relying on you for child care and instead of being appreciative, sh all over you in front of your family. She made her bed, she can lay in it while she's watching her own kids.
    via IntroductionRude8359
  • 07
    Nowelo - NTA setting that boundary is a smart thing to do. Stick to it!
    via IntroductionRude8359
  • 08
    Material_Cellist4133 NTA Tell your mom "I'm finding a life. You should support me not enabling a hole behavior. Why don't you babysit?" Then walk away.
    via IntroductionRude8359
  • 09
    butterbeemeister NTA. If you mom wants a bigger person, she can babysit. Why doesn't your sister have to be the bigger person? She's older and should know better. I'm glad you're 17 and don't have to stay with these fools much longer. Sorry your fam are awful. You sound like a great auntie. Focus on schoolwork and having fun.
    via IntroductionRude8359
  • 10
    Solid-Feature-7678 . This story brought to you by F Around and Find Out Child Care. Providing expensive child care to idiots who shot their mouths off and ped off their free child care since 1972.
    via IntroductionRude8359
  • 11
    repthe732 NTA It wasn't a joke; it was her bu ying you. She's only calling it a joke now because she's being shown the consequences of her actions Your mom is part of the problem. Your mom should've stopped her nonsense like your dad tried to do. Your mom only wants you to be the bigger person so she doesn't have to take over watching the kids since her and your sister see how easy to manipulate you've been
    via IntroductionRude8359
  • 12
    DareDare_Jarrah You're 17. If there is a good time to be the petty person, it's now. Your sister is 27, tell her she probably shouldn't treat people who are doing a big favour like shi.
    via IntroductionRude8359

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