17-year-old refuses to wake up his lazy 15-year-old brother in the mornings, causing him to miss school, demands parents find another way: ‘I’m tired of having to wake him up’

Author image for Bar Mor Hazut
Bar Mor Hazut • Senior Editor
Oct 27, 2025 2:00 PM EDT

Some people are simply incapable of waking up in the morning, and it naturally gets in the way of their lives. At almost every stage in our lives, waking up at a set time in the morning is a must, whether you're in high school, college, work, or with kids. 

When one has a hard time getting up, it creates problems.

The thing is, those problems are no one's but the one who fails to wake up. The only ones who are responsible for someone else waking up in the morning are parents of young children. Not siblings, not friends, and not even romantic partners.

So, when the older brother in the story below found himself responsible for his younger brother waking up in time for school, he decided to rebel against it. He did not want to bear the responsibility for something that shouldn't be his problem, especially as he leaves for college in a few months.

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  • One morning, he decided to teach his brother and parents a lesson, so he “forgot” to wake up the young teen for school. This led his brother to miss school, and forced an important conversation in the family group chat.

  • 01
    Teen sleeping in bed with phone on charge, title: "I'm pretending that I forgot to wake him up, but I did it on purpose"
    via Alexander Farnsworth

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

  • 02

    I am pretending that I forgot to wake up my younger brother, but I did it on purpose

    So I (17M) have a younger brother (15M). and hes a big dude and sleeps through his alarm.
    via Maladaptiv33
  • 03
    I am always the one to wake him up but a few times lately he has been cranky with me getting him up at certain times.
    via Maladaptiv33
  • 04
    We wake up at 7 and leave for the bus at around 7:50. so there isnt a lot of time.
    via Maladaptiv33
  • 05
    Today, I pretended to just, forget to wake him. I left the house and when I inevitably get a text from my parents or brother saying I forgot I'm gonna pretend to be apologetic and remorseful.
    via Maladaptiv33
  • 06
    It is currently first period in 9:45. I wonder how long he will sleep in. Also, my parents are aware it isn't MY job to make sure my lazy brother gets up on time.
    via Maladaptiv33
  • 07
    But I do it anyways. Just not today. Call me petty or an asshole but I am smiling and giggling as I wait for someone to realize he's not at school and he needs to not rely on me so much.
    via Maladaptiv33
  • 08
    especially with me heading to college next year. Seems like he woke up, I got two messages on whatsapp that I'll check after class.
    via Maladaptiv33
  • 09
    I am so giddy this is better than christmas TLDR: I usually get my brother up, and today I didn't on purpose.
    via Maladaptiv33
  • 10
    Waiting for chaos to unfold. Update: A good chunk of you wanted an update so I thought I'd post a big one here.
    via Maladaptiv33
  • 11
    Soon after my original post my brother, Z, woke up. I suddenly got FLOODED with messages on whatsapp.
    via Maladaptiv33
  • 12
    But due to my school's rules about phones in class i couldnt actually check it without being in trouble.
    via Maladaptiv33
  • 13
    Which just made me more happy to just let it pile up. My mom messaged me to ask why Z was still home, dad and Z asked me why I didn't wake him up.
    via Maladaptiv33
  • 14
    I played the part of a remorseful child PERFECTLY. Despite being the oldest I have an air of innocence about me for a multitude of reasons.
    via Maladaptiv33
  • 15
    apologize to all three and my mom tells me how it isn't my fault he can't get up on time.
    via Maladaptiv33
  • 16
    My dad says it's okay and Z just sends a photo of himself, not pleased with my actions lol.
    via Maladaptiv33
  • 17
    I also got a pretty good alibi of me changing my morning schedule and being a bit scattered, mainly because I accidentally forgot to let my dog back in.
    via Maladaptiv33
  • 18
    Don't worry, Taco is fine and it isn't that cold right now. He will get a treat as an apology when i get home.
    via Maladaptiv33
  • 19
    Some comments suggested I continue to play the part of a caring older brother and suggest that I stop waking him up as I am going to be moving out for college soon.
    via Maladaptiv33
  • 20
    And I waited PAINSTAKINGLY for second period to end so I could message the family gc about no longer waking him up to "prepare him for when I'm gone" I'm gonna put it in a point format to give yall the full experience, at my courtesy.
    via Maladaptiv33
  • 21
    Teenager Using Smartphone Outdoors
    via Fangirl

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

  • 22
    Scene: Family groupchat, 11:37 AM. Me: Hey, I am really sorry again about forgetting to wake up Z.
    via Maladaptiv33
  • 23
    I changed my routine and I think I left my brain in bed lol. But it's also not my responsibility.
    via Maladaptiv33
  • 24
    I think Z needs to stop relying on me bc i told you all I would forget, and i did.
    via Maladaptiv33
  • 25
    Also, what is college going to be like?? Z do you not have an alarm set?
    via Maladaptiv33
  • 26
    Mom: I agree with you. We have been very appreciative of you helping us out but it is not your responsibility.
    via Maladaptiv33
  • 27
    Please know that you did nothing wrong. Me: Thank you mom. I know, I just feel a bit guilty I suppose.
    via Maladaptiv33
  • 28
    @ Z, do you not have an alarm set? You should get one because I'm tired of having to wake you up.
    via Maladaptiv33
  • 29
    I think im gonna stop doing it. You'll never learn if you constantly rely on me..
    via Maladaptiv33
  • 30
    Then there is silence for a while. Z seems to also be unable to check his notifications at an appropriate time and my dad is basically awol throughout the day.
    via Maladaptiv33
  • 31
    i, however, am eating my sandwich and granola bar happily looking at the comments on this very post.
    via Maladaptiv33
  • 32
    Z: I do have one set. Its really loud Me: I dont hear it in the mornings.
    via Maladaptiv33
  • 33
    Z: U should Imao its insanely loud. Idk why I sleep like a bug after it Me: Well you better get less snug.
    via Maladaptiv33
  • 34
    I recommend setting at least 3-5. And you thought me setting an alarm every 10 minutes was dumb.
    via Maladaptiv33
  • 35
    Dad: We will get it sorted out and find a better alarm, not the first time we are talking about this.
    via Maladaptiv33
  • 36
    And so far thats it!! I don't have to wake Z up and he is gonna get a better alarm.
    via Maladaptiv33
  • 37
    If we end up talking later again ill update once more but i am pretty satisfied with this.
    via Maladaptiv33
  • 38
    Im so facinated you all enjoyed me being an asshole so much Imao. definitley a confidence booster.
    via Maladaptiv33
  • 39
    Lova yall. Edit: Yall I appriciate your care for my brother but you know nothing ab him or our medical history.
    via Maladaptiv33
  • 40
    You can't dignose him off this one post. He doesn't have sleep apnea he is just a heavy sleeper.
    via Maladaptiv33
  • 41
    again, i appriciate the concern but you are not medical proffessionals. Even if you were you would have to at least know what the guy looks like lol.
    via Maladaptiv33

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teens family drama school kids brother mother siblings sleeping in reddit story parenting raising teens high school family Reddit parents children Father
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