14-year-old refuses to bring her 2 and 5-year-old half siblings to school event, father and stepmother push back: 'We have nothing in common and they're a bit much'

Author image for Remy Millisky
Remy Millisky • Writer and Editor
May 29, 2025 5:00 PM EDT

Toddlers are a handful! If you've ever had to watch a 2 or 3-year-old even for an afternoon, you probably know exactly why this is. They rarely stop moving — they're usually bouncing from room to room, playing with toys, making messes, putting everything in their mouths, and causing a ruckus. When you have to leave the house with these little ones, you need to bring extra clothes, snacks, and their toys or stuffed animals. It's not exactly a walk in the park to take a toddler out, so it's odd that these parents were insisting that their 14-year-old take her 2 young siblings to a school event. 

The 2 and 5-year-old kids were definitely not old enough to go to this fright night event! I wonder if the parents just wanted a peaceful night at home, and decided to force their daughter into babysitting so they could kick back and relax. At least commenters had this teen's back!

Up next, read about this employee who was almost at pension age when his company decided to try and push him out: "[He] asked HR to prove it." 

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  • 01

    "WIBTA if I didn't bring my half-siblings to a school event?"

    My (14F) parents have been divorced for a while. I was little when my mom remarried and that's when I met my stepsiblings (15F &12M). Since we've always lived with each other, I tend to consider them to be my real siblings. My dad got with his wife when I was already close to my stepsiblings. They have two kids now, 5M and 2M.
    via u/[deleted]
  • 02
    My dad and his wife try making an effort for me to bond with my halfsiblings, but we're not really close. We have nothing in common and they're a bit much. I'm not close to my dad's wife either due to stuff in the past. It honestly feels awkward around them.
    via u/[deleted]
  • 03
    Now, my school is having a fright night and I'm probably bringing my stepsister and stepbrother. We don't go to the same school and I think it'd be fun because my school is big on celebrating halloween. I mean fake bl d, lots of snacks, realistic decorations, horror movies, etc.
    via u/[deleted]
  • 04
    My dad got wind of this and he thinks it'd be nice if I brought my halfbrothers instead. His wife jumped on this too because then she can get cute pictures of them and my friends would finally see my "whole family."
    via u/[deleted]
  • 05
    The thing is, I don't want to bring them. My school is huge. I'd have to be hovering over them the whole time so they don't get lost. There's not much I can do with them either: horror movies, a maze, activities, explore the whole building. It's going to be late too so it's likely we'd have to leave early.
    via u/[deleted]
  • 06
    I told my dad and his wife this and they got really upset. They said I always do things with my stepsiblings over my half and I should at least try to do something with them. It's somewhat true but it's because I can't really do anything with my halfbrothers but I can do this with my stepsiblings. WIBTA?
    via u/[deleted]
  • 07
    ☐ }
    via moren hsu on Unsplash+

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

  • 08

    Surely they can find another babysitter!

    JTBlakeinNYC NTA. Tell them you already promised your stepsiblings and aren't available.
    via u/JTBlakeinNYC
  • 09
    E.. They are 5 & 2. It's not Wizard of Oz and TMNT. There're people jumping out at you. The snacks are eyeballs and brains. None of this is appropriate. That's what they should be told.
    via u/Effective-Hour8642
  • 10
    You might double check (or just tell them) that the school has requested that nobody under the age of 10 (make it up if you have to) participates. It's going to be miserable for everyone. Even them when they have to come pick them up early. Peace out!
    via u/Effective-Hour8642
  • 11
    Edit: The parents should also be made aware that this is the "Teen" version of their Trick or Treating that you don't get anymore.
    via u/Effective-Hour8642
  • 12
    24
    via Mike Cox on Unsplash+

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

  • 13
    No-Entertainer-1... You would not be the AH if you did not take them. Play up their age, they do not need to be there. The youngest will be a screaming toddler and the older not a lot better. Tell them he has to stay with his lil bro in solidarity
    via u/No-Entertainer-1358
  • 14
    appleblossom1962 NTA. You are going to have fun, not be a babysitter
    via u/appleblossom1962

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school siblings stepmom half sister events family step family half siblings parents
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