5-year-old daughter stays home alone for hours after 17-year-old stepsibling refuses to babysit when no one else is available: 'That's not a problem for me to fix'

Author image for Bar Mor Hazut
Bar Mor Hazut • Senior Editor
Jul 3, 2025 3:00 PM EDT

When we were kids, we all imagined ourselves in little Kevin's shoes in Home Alone, theorizing what we would do if we woke up one morning and found out that our parents had left us behind. What trouble would we have stumbled into, and how would we defend our home while the adults are gone?

While it is fun to theorize, and it does make a great plot for a Christmas movie, we all know that the reality is far from enjoyable to imagine. No kid likes to be away from a responsible adult for longer than five minutes, and no responsible adult would allow their kids to be left behind at home with no one to look after them. If something like that does happen, we imagine things could get a lot worse than a home break-in.

That being said, the only people who should take accountability over children being left home alone are the parents, and the 17-year-old stepkid in the story below would definitely agree, especially after they left their 5-year-old stepsister alone at home.

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  • When this 17-year-old had to leave their dad's place to go with their mom, they knew they were leaving their 5-year-old stepsister behind; they simply didn't think it was their problem.

    Do you agree? Keep scrolling to read the full story, and let us know in the comments down below.

  • 01
    Cheezburger Image 10523375104
    via pixelshot

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

  • 02

    AITA for not going to my dad's house in an emergency where his 5 year old stepdaughter was left at home on her own?

    My dad's got two stepkid's from his wife aka the woman he cheated on my mom with. His wife's oldest is 14 and she's from her first marriage. She
    via LittleFoyoo
  • 03
    cheated on the 14 year old's dad with the 5 year old's dad and the 14 year old hates the 5 year old because of it and I care about none of them
    via LittleFoyoo
  • 04
    because I only go to my dad's house against my will. I just turned 17 btw and before people ask the courts would not let me stop going to dad's house.
    via LittleFoyoo
  • 05
    My mom could lose custody to my dad if I don't go or I leave and go to her house after being made go to dad's. 50/50 has to stay in place until I turn 18. That's just the fed up way it is.
    via LittleFoyoo
  • 06
    My dad knows I hate going to his house. He tries to fix what he broke but he broke it so good he can't unbreak it. He knows I can't stand his wife and
    via LittleFoyoo
  • 07
    that I don't want to pretend I'm someone's brother while I'm there since he tries to put the 5 year old's rejection by her half sister onto me and expects me to make up for that.
    via LittleFoyoo
  • 08
    I left my dad's house yesterday morning because mom's parenting time started. My dad and his wife were leaving her daughters home together
    via LittleFoyoo
  • 09
    but the 14 year old went to her friend's house and left the 5 year old on her own. My dad and his wife were at work. His wife got a text from her friends
    via LittleFoyoo
  • 10
    parents saying the 14 year old made it safely. She and dad were texting all freaked and he called me and told me to go and stay with the 5 year old until someone came home
    via LittleFoyoo
  • 11
    but I refused and he tried to get my mom to make me do it but she refused. His wife tried to make the 14 year old go back too but she didn't and the 5
    via LittleFoyoo
  • 12
    year old was on her own for hours before his wife just left work. Then when my dad got home he sent so many texts and called a bunch of times and I didn't answer.
    via LittleFoyoo
  • 13
    Cheezburger Image 10523375360
    via RockYourCradle

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

  • 14
    But he was like how could you do that. She needed you. She's only a kid and stuff. The thing is I don't care. That's not a problem for me to fix. I'm not their
    via LittleFoyoo
  • 15
    babysitter and I'm not a willing part of their family, if you could even call them that. AITA? I don't care what he thinks. But I did think a little about the 5 year old and I know it s'ks for her.
    via LittleFoyoo
  • 16
    Free Fishing_5116 "Dear dad, thanks for your texts - i totally skimmed them....you are right, next time something like this happens, I will do the responsible thing and call the police and CPS" NTA
    via Free_Fishing_5116
  • 17
    Apprehensive War9612 NTA His wife should have left work IMMEDIATELY. Not stayed for hours trying to guilt trip 2 children into taking care of her
    via Apprehensive_War9612
  • 18
    responsibilities when its obvious those children hate her because of her behavior. You are not the AH & neither is the 14 yr old tbh. Just text your dad; "I know how strongly you feel about following the custody
    via Apprehensive_War9612
  • 19
    agreement exactly no matter other people's feelings. I just made sure there were no mistakes that would make us have to go back to court.” Then ignore him until his time.
    via Apprehensive_War9612
  • 20
    Paconianphysics You're right, it's not your problem. One of those parents should have immediately returned home. Additionally, the 14 yr old is a known issue. So your dad and stepmom knew that this was a likely scenario.
    via Paconianphysics
  • 21
    bigben7102 NTA it's your Mom's custody time
    via bigben7102
  • 22
    Creepy-Macaroon9998 NTA. That child didn't need YOU. That child needed one of her PARENTS. Wipe the matter from your mind. Not your circus, not your monkeys.
    via Creepy-Macaroon9998
  • 23
    AssignmentOld9718 This is a problem that is bigger than you. If the 14 year old left, I'm guessing she is the go to childcare and is as tired of things in that home as you are. NTA.
    via AssignmentOld9718

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family drama aita baby babysitter kids mother teenagers siblings stepmom reddit story parenting babysitting family sister Reddit parents children Father
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