Aunt agrees to babysit nephews for summer vacation, backtracks when sister-in-law insists on 3 hours of Bible study every day: 'I don't see myself doing all that'

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Ally Perry • Writer and Editor
Jul 9, 2025 9:00 AM EDT

One thing that most moms and dads learn early on in their parenting journey is that when it comes to free childcare, they have to take what they can get. Of course, it is vital to ensure that kids are in safe hands, and it isn't unreasonable to have a few basic ground rules, but other than that, somebody who is willing to babysit for no extra cost is a godsend that not every parent is blessed with.

Unfortunately, that doesn't stop some parents from having ridiculous and entitled expectations when it comes to those who are watching their children. They often want a level of control that just isn't feasible, or at least, most of those who are willing to take care of their kids for free are not willing to put up with. Unless they recognize when they are overstepping, it is likely that these types will get left without a babysitter.

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  • 01

    I said to my SIL I will not look after her kids, AITAH?

    I (25F) decided to move back home roughly two months ago to stay closer to my family. I live in my own house, near the beach and work completely from home as a freelancer. Two weeks ago my SIL asked me if i can look after her kids(It's summer break from July to August here). both her and my older brother are busy with work, and can't look after them (my mom can't do it either because she own a bakery.) I accepted, i didn't see any problems in looking after them for a couple of hours in the morni
    via Repulsive_Record3584
  • 02
    Cheezburger Image 10527346944
    via Getty Images (Unsplash+)

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

  • One aunt felt that she could no longer agree to babysit her nephews during the summer vacation after her sister-in-law made demands about how they would spend their time together. She initially agreed to care for them while her brother and sister-in-law worked, but decided against that when it was requested that she spend several hours per day making sure that they studied the Bible.

    As a nonreligious person, she did not feel qualified to supervise this, but her sister-in-law wasn't happy. She wanted to know if she was in the wrong.

  • 03
    But everything went down when she pulled out a whole list of thing i should be doing with them. Now, disclaimer, both my SIL and my brother are very religious and I'm not. The list she gave me involved reading/studying the Bible (at least an hour first thing in the morning), let them watch religious contests, and then spend at least two hours copy by hand parts of the Old testament/New Testament.
    via Repulsive_Record3584
  • 04
    I found all of that absurd to say the least. I thought i would be taking them out to the park, the beach, watching cartoons together, drawing. I am not comfortable, nor I see myself fitting into that (I'm scared i may mess up something). So i changed my mind and told her, no i can't do it. Not with the list she gave me. Of course, she got very mad, and called me irresponsible. I asked her if we can do other things, but she is firm on her little list. I didn't want to dump her last minute, but i
    via Repulsive_Record3584
  • 05
    аг Jul Jo la list Gat
    via Daiga Ellaby (Unsplash+)
  • 06

    Outsiders agreed that the aunt was within her rights to back out.

    NTA. parodytx Sister can find a sitting service / school through her church if she wants her kids indoctrinated like this. OH NO! That costs money, doesn't it??? Enjoy your own life.
    via parodytx
  • 07
    Repulsive_Record3584 OP Our local church used to organize a summer camp for free in the past years, but they stopped for some reasons. That's the only church in town
    via Repulsive_Record3584
  • 08
    throwaway2972917 NTA but they are gonna make the kids hate religion with that kind of strict routine. It's not like you're saying no watching them all together. You're just saying no to being a teacher on top of that
    via throwaway2972917
  • 09
    ΝΤΑ teresajs If you're willing, offer to watch the kids but with no religion at all. None. If she pushes back, tell her that you aren't a Vacation Bible School and she should go find one.
    via teresajs
  • 10
    Different Tie8715 NTA: beggars can't be choosers. Plus sis, this is your weird religion, not mine. my guess is that she really does need the free help, but she realized the kids would actually have fun on vacation for the first time in their sheltered little lives, and that's gonna cause problems for her, haaaa. what a goober. this isn't going to end the way she thinks it will, either. crazy part about kids is that they're human beings with minds of their own, not lumps of clay. Anyway, enjoy yo
    via DifferentTie8715
  • 11
    Snote85 The kids would love their aunt and keep asking when they would get to go back. Mom hates the idea of that and so last minute enforced the Bible Study Bulls try and undermine the chance of them having fun. to
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  • 12
    jolovesmustard NTA maybe she could ask someone from her church? Even if she used a childminder, they wouldn't fulfil these demands either.
    via jolovesmustard
  • 13
    lamettler So why can't she lead her religious activities during the time she has her kids? They can do their copy work while she is cooking dinner and then have the Bible study right before bedtime?
    via lamettler
  • 14
    Hippopotamus_can_fly Honestly it's people like your SIL (and your brother) that make me hate religious people and religion in general. Those poor kids could be having fun with their summer and aunt but instead they're expected to be further indoctrinated and do homework. NTA, beggars can't be choosers, she needs childcare, you offered childcare and instead of being grateful she expects you to also lose out on your free time by being a militant religious teacher instead of just enjoying spending
    via Hippopotamus_can_fly
  • 15
    Daisytru Your nephews could have had an awesome summer with you, OP. Your SIL sounds like a faux Christian to me. Her expectations are ridiculous. It sounds like she's the best person to provide her sons with the kind of summer she wants her kids to have. She should probably quit her job and stay home and bore them to death!
    via Daisytru
  • 16
    inkslingerben NTA It seems your SIL is indoctrinating her kids, not teaching them. Plus she isn't giving the kids a chance to have fun and just be kids.
    via inkslingerben
  • 17
    BestConfidence 1560 NTA. If she cares about it this much she should send them to some religious summer camp. You aren't religious and expecting you to read the Bible and do that stuff is unfair to you. Frankly, it's a lot to expect a kids on their summer break.
    via BestConfidence1560
  • 18
    irishkathy You offered to babysit, they wanted a religious teacher. Tell them you are sorry, you are not offering what they want. If they want to accept your offer, they can. If not, they are going to have to find other accomodations.
    via irishkathy
  • 19
    Why_Teach NTA - You agreed to watch the kids, not run a Bible camp following her religious beliefs. You could offer a compromise: she can send them with a reading or writing assignment connected to the Bible that she scores/evaluates/checks when they get home. All you do is provide a quiet space for them to do it. Also, instead of cartoons, they can watch "religious content" while you do something else. The rest of your time with them you feed them, take them to the beach and the park, etc. to e
    via Why_Teach
  • 20
    nvrhsot Your SIL wants to "have it all". Family, career, motherhood. Funny how shes immersed in her religious beliefs, yet shes going against the teachings that encourage mothers to stay home to raise their children. Beyond that Mr and Mrs Nose to the Grindstone want FREE daycare services from family members. Umm that's a hard NO! Let them hire an Au Paire or nanny to watch their little cupcakes. Not your problem.
    via nvrhsot
  • 21
    arnott NTA. Stop being a door mat, you are 25.
    via arnott
  • 22
    NTA. Precipice_01 YOUR house, YOUR rules. If your sister doesn't like this, she can search for alternative child care elsewhere
    via Precipice_01
  • 23
    Are_You_On_Email If you are still happy to look after your nephews, do so. Just do the fun stuff and no bible work, don't ask. If your sister complains, tell her to find alternative cheaper arrangements. You hold all the cards, your sister doesnt. She needs a free babysitter which you have kindly offered
    via Are_You_On_Email

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nephews aita babysitter brother bible parenting sister in law babysitting aunt reddit thread Reddit christianity vacation
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