16-year-old mom stops her family from seeing her baby after her 30-year-old sister took her 4-month-old to the beach without applying sunscreen: 'My parents said I was too young to know what's best'

Author image for Emmy Pratt
Emmy Pratt • Writer and Editor
May 23, 2025 8:00 AM EDT

Anyone can be a fantastic parent or a terrible parent at any age. It's easy to look at someone with kids, "too young" or "too old," and assume they have poor judgment in all areas of parenting, but that's not always true. A teenager could have poor judgment in having a baby young, and subsequently take the initiative to make sure that their kid grows up in a stable, healthy environment. The parents of teen parents often throw, "you were stupid to get pregnant," and "you're too young to be a mother/father" in their kids' faces. In some cases, it is true that teen parents are not fit and mature enough to make responsible decisions for themselves and their children. However, if they do their best to make good from a bad situation, their judgment shouldn't be undermined at every turn just because they are young. They need to learn how to be a parent somehow. 

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  • 01

    AITA for stopping my family from seeing my daughter when I'm just a teen mom?

    I (16f) have a daughter with my boyfriend (17m). She's 4 months old. We're young and I know that's not ideal. We live together at his family's house right now. We go to school online and we both work part time to have money. His family have been amazing though. And mine have kinda sorta tried.
    via u/Total_Education_8443

  • The teen in this story is learning to be a parent and doing a great job. She has been living with her boyfriend and his family, going to school, and earning money to support her daughter. She has much better maternal instincts than her 30-year-old sister.

  • 02
    Cheezburger Image 10508647936
    via Ionut Roman

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

  • 03
    We don't have the best relationship right now and I put my foot down and said no more contact with my daughter until they can accept that I'm a mom who just wants to do right by her.
    via u/Total_Education_8443
  • 04
    This all started a couple of weeks ago. My sister (30) asked if she could take my daughter out for a few hours and my boyfriend and I were okay with that. It was warm and sunny that day so we lathered her in sunscreen and put a hat on her and we gave my sister two backup hats and told her to make sure she wore them so she was protected from the sun. We also asked her to make
    via u/Total_Education_8443
  • 05
    sure she reapplied the sunscreen. An hour after they left my sister posted photos of her and our daughter and our daughter wasn't wearing a hat and they were on the beach where it was still very clearly sunny. I tried to call my sister but she didn't answer. She didn't answer any texts either. Or put the hat back on when prompted.
    via u/Total_Education_8443
  • 06
    When my sister brought our daughter back she was crying and clearly too warm. Plus she'd got a small rash starting on her face because instead of using the sunscreen we sent with her she sprayed her with something she had that wasn't meant for babies. My sister called me ungrateful. She said she gave us time without the baby and instead of thanking
    via u/Total_Education_8443
  • 07
    her we criticized her and all because she wanted our daughter to look cute instead of having those annoying hats on her head. I told her babies should be protected from the sun and warm weather and she didn't do that. She told me I was playing at being a concerned mom but I was just being a brat.
    via u/Total_Education_8443
  • 08
    Cheezburger Image 10508647168
    via Beau Horyza

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

  • 09
    My boyfriends parents kicked my sister out. Then my parents called and asked that I apologize to my sister. They said she was having fun and we should understand that you can't always stay on top of stuff. My sister was in the background and even said she just couldn't be bothered. That she felt like it was overkill and the hat wasn't cute enough to wear.
    via u/Total_Education_8443
  • 10
    Cheezburger Image 10508649728
    via Megs Mulcahy

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

  • 11
    Then my parents said I was too young to know what's best and that I never should've gotten pregnant in the first place. I told them I was young and probably too young but I was doing everything to be a good mom. Then they accused me of taking an old fight out on them. Because my parents don't believe in hormonal birth control and they
    via u/Total_Education_8443
  • 12
    were mad that I had wanted to go on it and that I brought up how BC would have helped prevent me getting pregnant because clearly we weren't careful enough with the condoms. I didn't even bring that up. I was only talking about my sister and how I was doing what I could to be a good mom.
    via u/Total_Education_8443
  • 13
    My parents told me I should let them and my sister do what they think is best since they're adults and know more than me. I said I wanted to protect my daughter. They said I'm too young. That's when I decided they couldn't see her anymore until they learn to listen and protect my daughter instead of dismissing everything I do because I'm a teenager.
    via u/Total_Education_8443
  • 14
    Because that's putting my daughter at risk. Not me. My parents said denying them a relationship is wrong and I said they all needed to realize that my daughter deserves to be protected and not denied that because she wouldn't look cute enough for some people.
    via u/Total_Education_8443
  • 15
    They keep texting and calling and I ignore them but the argument is at my age I should not be making this decision and it shows how childish I am. AITA?
    via u/Total_Education_8443
  • 16
    Conclusion Unusual320 NTA. you daughter isn't a doll that your sister gets to play dress up with.
    via u/ConclusionUnusual320
  • 17
    Total_Education_8443 OP Exactly and looking cute is not more important than protecting her from the sun.
    via u/Total_Education_8443
  • 18
    kleouna You're not wrong. Protecting your baby isn't childish it's exactly what a good mom does.
    via u/kleouna
  • 19
    ohemgee0309 Ask your pediatrician to supply you with literature about the dangers of sun exposure to babies. Photograph it and send it to your parents and sister and let them know they're on a time out from contact with your daughter. If they can't respect yours and your baby's father's boundaries, the timeout can be permanent until baby is old enough to advocate for herself.
    via u/ohemgee0309
  • 20
    marbot99 It's a wonder your parents raised such a smart, responsible and loving parent. Keep doing what you're doing for your baby. Being a Mama is fierce work and you are killing it! Congratulations on the baby and for being so strong at a young age
    via u/marbot99
  • 21
    Total_Education_8443 OP Thanks. I'm trying to learn and grow as a mom to do the best for my daughter.
    via u/Total_Education_8443
  • 22
    MalkorDcvr Sounds like you have a lot of things figured out that they're probably never going to get. I was a young mom too, and I'm sure I don't need to tell you that everyone and their goldfish is going to treat you like they know better than you even people who've never raised kids. But you know your daughter 100% better than anyone else. That's a fact.
    via u/MalkorDcvr
  • 23
    Try not to let that noise get to you, and eventually, it actually won't (well, that's how it went for me). Keep doing what you know is right for your girl (and that includes what's best for you too). I'm so glad you have such steady support with your boyfriend's family. I'm sure you will be amazing parents.
    via u/MalkorDcvr
  • 24
    ProfessionalHippo568 I don't think so. In fact I am happily surprised by your mature and thoughtful responses to your sister and parents. I was just shy of 19 when I had my first child and I can honestly say that you're sounding a lot more put together than I was. I'm now 39 with 4 children total and I believe I would react much the same way now as you have. By the sounds of it you've got a clear idea on what is and is not good for your baby; you gave clear expectations on what you wanted when y
    via u/ProfessionalHippo568
  • 25
    the bottom line is, she's YOUR child not any of theirs. Sure, age can definitely matter when it comes to parenting children, and I'm not going to patronise you by going over the many reasons. Especially when it's not necessary in this case. I'm sorry that I've rambled on a bit here, I just really want to reassure you that you are NTA. You're doing a great job, keep it up and don't forget everyone makes mistakes at times, so even if you do have an off day in the future, it's not all or nothing. B
    via u/ProfessionalHippo568
  • 26
    Total_Education_8443 OP Thank you. I'm definitely working on being the best mom I can be and my boyfriend does the same to be the best dad. For me the safety and protection of my child is more important than her looking cute and letting my sister take photos with my baby looking how she wants her to. I appreciate all the encouragement I'm getting! It's helping me to feel more confident in doing the best for my child.
    via u/Total_Education_8443
  • 27
    Mera 1506 NTA. If they'd only taken the hat of for a cute picture it would be one thing. But she clearly seems to think your baby is a prop. But they also didn't use sunscreen meant for babies and didn't protect her enough from the heat ? And they're saying they know what's best. This is just so messed up. I fear your sister's (future) child(ren).
    via u/Mera1506

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Babies family drama baby entitled parents teenager teen mom teenagers entitled parent parenting family sister parent mom Parenting Fail parents Parenting FAILS
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