'You’re putting a price on your niece?': 26-year-old woman refuses to keep babysitting niece for free after her sister repeatedly breaks promises to pay, causing family division as mother defends her sister, despite father telling her to maintain boundary

Author image for Emma Saven
Emma Saven
Oct 19, 2025 5:00 PM EDT

I don't know where I stand regarding this family feud. Families are complicated as it is, throw money into the mix, and you have yourself a recipe for disaster. This 26-year-old woman adores her 5-year-old niece, and babysitting was never a problem, until it was. Until her sister started to make promises of paying her for her time and effort, knowing she would often cancel her own plans to be available for her niece. But after a few babysitting sessions had gone by and the promise of payment every week seemed to slowly dissolve with it. 

Until one day, this younger sister put her foot down and refused to help out without payment for her time…Of course, her eldest sister turned that around by playing the family helps family, and you're putting a price on your niece's cards. Ouch, that's got to hurt. So she called in some family for an intervention, maybe they would help her figure out the right thing here….Mmm, unfortunately for her, both her mother's and father's opinions were like black and white, day and night…Her dad believed she should stand her ground, whilst her mom claimed that money shouldn't come between family. Both valid arguments, she's just going to need to decide which resonates with her more. 

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  • She has no problem with babysitting, that is, until her sister actually pays her as promised. She's not asking for millions, but she is asking for some sort of compensation for her constant availability and effort. However, they are family, so perhaps they could find a middle ground by having her babysit less, but for free, and when she needs more help, get a babysitter with whom she does not share DNA, keeping family and money as separate as possible!

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    Woman playing with a little girl
    via pixelshot

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 02

    AITA for refusing to babysit my sister’s kid after she “forgot” to pay me again?

    So I (26F) have been helping my older sister (31F) by watching her 5-year- old daughter every now and then when she needs to work late or go out.
    via Ok-Jaguar9069
  • 03
    At first, it was no big deal I love my niece, and I didn't mind helping out once in a while.
    via Ok-Jaguar9069
  • 04
    But over time, it turned into every weekend and sometimes even weekdays after my own job.
    via Ok-Jaguar9069
  • 05
    She promised to pay me a small amount each time since I'm giving up my evenings and sometimes canceling plans
    via Ok-Jaguar9069
  • 06
    The thing is, she keeps "forgetting." She'll be like, "Oh, I'll send it later," and then she never does.
    via Ok-Jaguar9069
  • 07
    This has happened at least six times now. Last weekend, she asked again, and I told her nicely that I couldn't do it unless she actually paid me this time.
    via Ok-Jaguar9069
  • 08
    She got super defensive and said, "Wow, I thought family helps each other out. You're really putting a price on your niece?" That kinda stung, but I told her it's not about the money it's about respect.
    via Ok-Jaguar9069
  • 09
    I don't think it's fair to expect me to give up my time constantly when she doesn't even follow through on what she promised.
    via Ok-Jaguar9069
  • 10
    Now she's telling everyone in the family that I "refuse to help her" and that I'm being selfish.
    via Ok-Jaguar9069
  • 11
    My parents are split my mom says I should just let it go because "it's just money," but my dad says I'm right to draw the line.
    via Ok-Jaguar9069
  • 12
    Two adult woman having an argument inside
    via macniak

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 13
    So... AITA for refusing to babysit anymore until she actually pays me like she said she would?
    via Ok-Jaguar9069
  • 14
    Technical-Tip-9882 NTA. If you're mom thinks "it's just money" then she can watch her granddaughter.
    via Technical-Tip-9882
  • 15
    gentlemoon_8 NTA - you had an agreement and it's right for you to draw the line. You have invested your time, effort and freedom here.
    via gentlemoon_8
  • 16
    14high Fool you 3,4,5,6 times shame on her. Fool you 7 times shame on you. Nta.
    via 14high
  • 17
    Select-Efficiency559 This is a matter of character and integrity, and your sister is missing both. You're right to hold her accountable. If she can't be dependable, then she won't have you to depend on. As for your mom, if "it's just money" then your sister should pay you, because "it's just money" for her, too.
    via Select-Efficiency559
  • 18
    zeldasquirts NTA- I watch my sisters 3 kids for a small price per child every week and if she doesn't pay me by the next time I'm supposed to be there, I won't show up. I enjoy spending time with them but my sister is an awful human being so she can pay for it.
    via zeldasquirts
  • 19
    PureNinja 1842 No, NTA! Your sister is though. Payment was discussed at the beginning and she has stated that she was going to pay you several times. Family is so concerned about it, let them watch the child every weekend for free.
    via PureNinja
  • 20
    Your sister is trying to guilt and manipulate you into being a free nanny. Not your kid, not your job. Lay those boundaries. You will watch your niece on your terms, with pay! Otherwise big Sis can find another sucker!
    via PureNinja
  • 21
    hengehanger Well no, NTA. And even if she does pay you, never cancel plans or put yourself at a disadvantage to help her out, your life is not hers to manage.
    via hengehanger
  • 22
    Waste-Current9928 I can bet she didnt forget, she just wants you to let it slide.
    via Waste-Current9928
  • 23
    Pristine_Society_583 If she never wanted to pay you, she should have never agreed to do so, and you could have made your decisions based in Truth.
    via Pristine_Society_583

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refusal family drama promises favors sisters help out Awkward askreddit charge niece reddit story family feud avoid parenting babysitting division family sibling payment fees
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