Woman installs cameras in home after brother-in-law agrees to babysit niece, he refuses to continue: “I don’t feel comfortable being in her home”

Author image for Briana Viser
Briana Viser • Writer and Editor
Apr 10, 2025 12:00 PM EDT

Ladies and gentlemen of the internet, welcome. When one has a child, it becomes their world. Everything you do is encompassed by the desire and concern for your youngster, and there's no getting around the constant worry about him or her. Everyday you expect that your child will be safe, and you also know that it's your duty to make sure the child is safe. There's nothing in the world that's more stressful and time consuming than having children. Being a parent is no walk in the park, and anyone who tells you otherwise is trying to sell you something. Whether it's worrying that they won't look before crossing the street, or that some other kid at the playground will pick on them, the worries just persist day after day. It's important to remember that things will sometimes be outside of your control, and to have a certain amount of letting go when it comes to parenting. You don't want to end up being a helicopter parent, do you?

In the story below, the protagonist is a man whose SIL doesn't feel comfortable with him watching her child. He has agreed to help his niece get ready in the morning, but because he's a man, the SIL puts cameras in her home because "you never know."

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  • 01

    AiTAh for wanting to back out of doing my SIL and favor cause I don't like that she installed cameras to be on the safe side.

    "You never know"
    via j7126 from pixabay / Canva

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

  • 02
    My wife use to get our niece ready and take her to daycare every Friday since she was off and her sister had to be at woek by 6:30 and daycaee did not open until 7. My wife's work schedule changed and she could no longer do it. So I offered to change my schedule around to start work at 10. We have been doing this for aroind
    via u/Inner-Rutabaga2055
  • 03
    four months. My SIL has voiced no concerns and when she calls I always answer.
    via u/Inner-Rutabaga2055
  • 04
    We recently found out she installed cameras in her house when my wife brought it up she told her you never know. I will be honest I was taken aback cause she has had no complaints in the past but now she wants to have cameras because you never know?
    via u/Inner-Rutabaga2055
  • 05
    Cheezburger Image 10492053760
    via FatCamera from Getty Images Signature / Canva

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

  • 06
    My wife did ask her sister have i done anything that made her concerned or worried, she told no but it was a safety issue once agains she told my wife you never know.
    via u/Inner-Rutabaga2055
  • 07
    At this point i told my wife i dont want to go into her house I dont feel comfortable being in a home or around her daughter if she is that concerned.
    via u/Inner-Rutabaga2055

  • It’s important to remember that things will sometimes be outside of your control, and to have a certain amount of letting go when it comes to parenting. You don’t want to end up being a helicopter parent, do you?

  • 08
    My wife agrees it is weird also considering I have known her sister for over 16 years. Others think i am blowing out of proportion but I dont like how she assumes the worst of me cause i am male. She told my wife she had no concerns when she was doing it.
    via u/Inner-Rutabaga2055
  • 09
    shammy_dammy • 10h ago You don't want to do it anymore. That should be it.
    via u/shammy_dammy
  • 10
    • Electrical Worker_88 10h ago Are you sure the camera was installed specifically to monitor you or for general security?
    via u/Electrical Worker_88
  • 11
    If it is just for you, then check out the team memo that went out yesterday afternoon. It turns out that your schedule has changed and you will no longer be able to start work at 10:00.
    via u/Electrical Worker_88
  • 12
    Due-Measurement... 10h ago NTA. If someone doesn't trust you with their kid, you shouldn't be watching their kid. Nope on out of there my dude.
    via u/Due-Measurement4608
  • 13
    boredathome1962 • 10h ago I lived with 400 HD cameras around the site where I worked, fair do's it was a law enforcement role, cameras protect me as well as the public. But if I had to be filmed to go in someone's house to do them a favour, - I'd be back in bed in a heartbeat. NTA
    via u/boredathome1962
  • 14
    4me2knowit 10h ago She's free to add the cameras you're free to not go there
    via u/4me2knowit
  • 15
    Repulsive_Bed5172 • 10h ago NTA. Honestly, I get it. If there's been no past issue, and you've been helping her out for months without a hitch, installing cameras now feels a little off. It's hard not
    via u/Repulsive_Bed5172
  • 16
    to feel like she's assuming the worst just because you're a guy, especially when there's no reason for it.
    via u/Repulsive_Bed5172
  • 17
    Cheezburger Image 10492054016
    via oksanashufrych / Canva

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

  • 18
    Alfred-Register7379 10h ago Nta. She can keep her "you never know", and switch HER hours around.
    via u/Alfred-Register7379
  • 19
    She is waiting for you two to mess up, and to destroy your family.
    via u/Alfred-Register7379
  • 20
    PomeloPepper • 9h ago How about "It's clear that you aren't comfortable with me being alone with your daughter. I'm going to do the right thing and end this arrangement so you can find someone you can truly trust your child with."
    via u/PomeloPepper
  • 21
    Randompackersfan • 9h ago Everyone keeps saying to lie about not being able to do it. Why doesn't he make it clear he doesn't want to do it anymore period?
    via u/Randompackersfan
  • 22
    • Vegetable-Cod-2340 10h ago ΝΤΑ If she installed cameras just because you specifically started getting her kid ready for daycare then no she doesn't need your help, because she doesn't trust you
    via u/Vegetable-Cod-2340
  • 23
    and it's best for everyone if the person there is someone she trust.
    via u/Vegetable-Cod-2340
  • 24
    'I'm hurt that you doubt my character and motives enough to install cameras and I'm ending my help. This level of mistrust is unacceptable; you should trust the person caring for your daughter.'
    via u/Vegetable-Cod-2340

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