29-year-old mother tells off 26-year-old "fun auntie" sister for correcting her in front of her 6-year-old and feeding him candy before dinner

Let's be real, spoiling your nieces and nephews (and grandkids for those grandparents out there) is half the fun of having them around in the first place. You get to spoil them in ways parents can't: Load the kids up with candy and annoying toys, and let them stay up a little bit light when you're watching them for the evening. All harmless little exceptions and pushing of boundaries, adding a bit of spice to that darling kid's life and ensuring your spot on their list of favorite people.

But there's a limit to what's acceptable, and it's easy to steer right out of the "fun" zone into straight overstepping. Dangerous things and pets are out of the question, and we've definitely seen stories where the "fun auntie" has gone out and let the kids get a dog or something in the past… completely ignoring the years of hard work and responsibility they've inflicted on the parents.

Like what you see? Follow our WhatsApp channel for more.

Author image for Brad Dickson Brad Dickson
Advertisement
  • 01

    "AITA for telling my sister she’s not my child’s second mom after she kept overriding my parenting?"

    I (29F) have a 6-year-old son, and I've been raising him mostly on my own since his dad left when he was a baby. My younger sister (26F) lives nearby and has been helpful, especially when I needed last-minute babysitting or help during tough times. I truly appreciate her support, but recently she's started crossing some boundaries, and it's getting out of hand.
    via [deleted]
  • Advertisement

  • While Hulk hands and Nerf dart launchers might be one thing… buy a kid one of those karaoke microphones and watch what happens. Their parents will be using the Hulk hands on you before you know it. Of course, contradicting the parents directly in front of their kids is also right out, no matter what your relationship with your siblings might be. When this "fun aunt" began to do so in front of her nephew it caused conflict between her and her sister.

  • 02
    Cheezburger Image 10494309888
    via Kateryna Hliznitsova

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

  • 03
    It started with little things-like giving my son candy before dinner or letting him stay up past his bedtime when he was over at her place. I addressed those things gently, thinking she might not realize how it affects his routine. But then she began correcting me in front of him, saying things like "Oh, you're being too harsh" or "Come on, let him have some fun." Last week, she even told him he didn't have to finish his homework if he didn't feel like it-directly contradicting what I had just t
    via [deleted]
  • 04
    The final straw was when we were at a family dinner, and I told my son he couldn't have dessert until he finished his vegetables. My sister loudly said, "That's such an old-school rule, come here sweetie, Auntie will get you some cake." I snapped and told her, "You're not his second mom. Stop overriding me like I don't know how to raise my own kid."
    via [deleted]
  • Advertisement
  • 05
    She got really upset and said I was being ungrateful after everything she's done for me and my son. My parents were split-my mom said I was right to stand my ground, but my dad thinks I could've handled it more privately. My sister hasn't spoken to me since, and now I feel guilty, like I ruined a good relationship. So, AITA for setting that boundary with my sister, or should I have just let it slide to keep the peace?
    via [deleted]
  • 06
    7
    via Eddie Kopp

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

  • 07
    Interesting Wing_... • 5h ago This needs to be nipped in the bud. When your son is a teenager he will know that he can run to auntie when he's not getting his way.
    via [deleted]
  • Advertisement
  • 08
    LovedAJackass . 4h ago I'd say stop relying on her for any childcare and don't allow him to have overnights with her. And maybe meet your mom one-on-one until it sinks in to your sister that she was out of line. Your dad wasn't wrong but it's sometimes hard when someone challenges you publicly not to respond in the moment. So don't beat yourself up because of it.
    via [deleted]
  • 09
    It's notable that your sister hasn't come to you to apologize for undermining you with your son. Had she done that, it would be easy for you to say you wish you hadn't reacted in front of everyone. But she's not sorry, is she? Going no contact is doubling down on what she did.
    via [deleted]
  • 10
    Simple_Bowler_7091 • 4h ago NTA, that's a boundary that needed to be set and you did try to handle it privately but your sister kept pushing. Correcting your sister's overstep is not about her ego or yours, it's about your son's emotional stability and safety.
    via [deleted]
  • Advertisement
  • 11
    Forget "preserving the peace" this goes to the heart of your parent/child relationship. You are the parental authority in your son's life and that cannot be questioned without destabilizing your son's world view.
    via [deleted]
  • 12
    If your parents are "split" it sounds like it might be worth your while to have a family meeting, without your son, to discuss your boundaries. Your sister is younger and not a mother herself so she might not fully appreciate the importance of routines, of your child getting proper rest,
    via [deleted]
  • 13
    of how all that sugar affects his little body. Your parents, presumably DO know all this, they learned it parenting you and your sister, so they could back you up on those points. But it may be necessary for all three of them to hear that they are never to contradict your parenting in front of your child again like that.
    via [deleted]
  • Advertisement
  • 14
    But also you need to find - other baby sitters and caretakers so you have some options other than your sister. Free isn't always "free", sometimes it's better to pay for what you need with money so you don't have to compromise on principles.
    via [deleted]
  • 15
    Swedishpunsch You were in the right, OP. Best to get the wee lad in control now, before he is bigger and stronger than you are. Your father is out of line, too. You handled this with the same privacy that your pushy sister used. It was important, too, that your son see her get called out for being in the wrong. NTA
    via [deleted]
  • 16
    Vegetable-Cod-2340 NTA No, the sister doesn't get to override the parenting in public and in then get chided in private, not after op has done that with previous oversteps. Auntie pushed her luck.
    via [deleted]
  • Advertisement

Stay up to date by following us on Facebook!

Tags

childcare Babies family drama aita kids sibling rivalry sisters siblings moms family feud parenting aunt family cute kids reddit thread parent Reddit raising kids auntie Parenting Fail parents children Parenting FAILS
Scroll down for the next article

Also From FAIL Blog

Trending Now

Employee resigns, boss notifies him two years later that he has been fired for not showing up to work: 'Your employment [...] is being terminated for job abandonment'

Employee resigns, boss notifies him two years later that he has been fired for not showing up to work: 'Your employment [...] is being terminated for job abandonment'

01
17-year-old puts Stepmother in her place after she upstages her mother's memorial and makes it about herself: 'Whenever mom got mentioned by anyone she tried to change conversation'

17-year-old puts Stepmother in her place after she upstages her mother's memorial and makes it about herself: 'Whenever mom got mentioned by anyone she tried to change conversation'

02
Employee of 25+ years takes 10 weeks of PTO, then resigns: 'You need my help? It'll cost 1 mil'

Employee of 25+ years takes 10 weeks of PTO, then resigns: 'You need my help? It'll cost 1 mil'

03
24-year-old woman kicks out unemployed, freeloading friend after she turns her short visit into a 3-week all-inclusive vacation: ‘She called me heartless’

24-year-old woman kicks out unemployed, freeloading friend after she turns her short visit into a 3-week all-inclusive vacation: ‘She called me heartless’

04
Mother of 12-14 year old tweens demands airline passenger move to a middle seat: 'This is about needing to sit next to my kids'

Mother of 12-14 year old tweens demands airline passenger move to a middle seat: 'This is about needing to sit next to my kids'

05
Entitled HOA board member threatens to sue family for not paying matriarch's late fees after her estate was frozen, family proves he has no case: 'There is nothing to sue!'

Entitled HOA board member threatens to sue family for not paying matriarch's late fees after her estate was frozen, family proves he has no case: 'There is nothing to sue!'

06
Advertisement