Mom hides sister-in-law's walking shoes while she babysits, gets offended when she leaves afterwards: 'She said I'm disappearing for hours at a time'

Author image for Ally Perry
Ally Perry • Writer and Editor
Feb 7, 2026 9:00 PM EST

One of the best forms of exercise there is involves putting one foot in front of the other.

Regularly walking a reasonable distance is an activity that has innumerable benefits: it is easy, low-impact aerobic exercise, it is great for your mental and physical health, and it is a great way to discover the area where you live or where you are staying (assuming it is walkable, that is). Best of all, it is an activity that the majority of people are able to participate in to some extent.

Still, not everybody is convinced when it comes to the advantages of caring about your step count. Many people believe that it is too much of a commitment to set aside the time in their busy lives, or they simply do not enjoy the idea of physical activity, no matter how much of a no-brainer it is to participate in. Some go as far as to think it strange that others enjoy taking a walk, despite the fact that it is the most common form of exercise anywhere. It is the original form of transport, and it tracks that there is not really any good replacement for it, even in this day and age.

 

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  • a woman wearing a sweatshirt and leggings raising her hands over her head as she walks down a tree lined path
    via Emma Simpson

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

  • In this story, tensions rose when a woman came to stay with her sister-in-law and her kids while her stepbrother was out of the country for work. She had told her she was happy to visit and help her out at home.

    However, her sister-in-law soon began to take issue with an important part of her daily routine. She liked to go for a 2 mile walk every day, and she couldn't understand why she wanted to do this all the time.

    As the woman continued to take her daily walks, the mom ended up hiding her shoes to prevent her from going on her walk. When she found out what happened, she decided to leave, but she wasn't sure if that had been an overreaction.

  • Am I wrong for leaving because my SIL hid my shoes to keep me from taking walks?

    She is my SISTER IN LAW not my sister. My SIL has three little ones, and her husband (my step brother) had to leave the country for work for a few months.
    via AStormInsideTeaCups
  • I offered to stay so I could help her out where needed, and she happily accepted.
    via AStormInsideTeaCups
  • I live across town so not THAT far. I was there for 3 days when my SIL commented on me going on daily walks.
    via AStormInsideTeaCups
  • I have taken a daily walk of at least a mile since October 2018. Yes, even with a cold, yes, even in cold weather, yes to all of it.
    via AStormInsideTeaCups
  • On nice days the walk is usually 4 miles. At my SILS, I started taking a path that was about two miles.
    via AStormInsideTeaCups
  • I asked if she wanted me to watch the kids while she got some exercise and she scoffed and said she was too busy, but it must be nice.
    via AStormInsideTeaCups
  • I was a little puzzled since I was offering to help. But the comments kept coming.
    via AStormInsideTeaCups
  • She kept trying to poke holes. "But it's not REALLY a mile every day right?" and "What would you do if you broke your foot?
    via AStormInsideTeaCups
  • Would you get anxious if you couldn't take a walk?" Then one morning I couldn't find my shoes.
    via AStormInsideTeaCups
  • My SIL woke up an hour later, I was eating breakfast with the kids, and I asked her.
    via AStormInsideTeaCups
  • She told me to go check the back door, and when I'd gotten back, she pointed at them by the door and said I must have missed them.
    via AStormInsideTeaCups
  • I took my walk after telling her that her joke wasn't funny. She was annoyed when I got back and told me that she thinks I need to see a therapist over my anxiety/obsession.
    via AStormInsideTeaCups
  • I told her that I do have a therapist, and she said I clearly need a new one because this one isn't helping.
    via AStormInsideTeaCups
  • I asked her point blank why does it bother her so much if I want to take a walk?
    via AStormInsideTeaCups
  • She said I was supposed to be there to help her with the kids and I'm disappearing for hours at a time.
    via AStormInsideTeaCups
  • I told her that my walks take about 30 minutes, and I'm doing it while they have down time.
    via AStormInsideTeaCups
  • I put my shoes in the guest room with the rest of my things and they were gone the next morning.
    via AStormInsideTeaCups
  • I just said fuck it and packed my things and left. My SIL called me when I was on my way home and said I was overreacting and being childish and this is why I am single and alone.
    via AStormInsideTeaCups
  • I told her that I don't play these stupid games and that I would still pick up the girls and stay until she got home from work but that she's on her own for everything else.
    via AStormInsideTeaCups
  • a pair of orange sneakers dangled in midair with a pair of legs behind them
    via Sneep Crew

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

  • I_Suggest_Therapy NTA It is most certainly your SIL who needs a therapist. Something about your wellness routine is triggering her in some way. It is weird and unhealthy.
    via I_Suggest_Therapy
  • Sister Tulips Your SIL is jealous of your self- care, and it's pathetic. Now she's realized she's taken it too far, she looks like a lunatic, and she has no way to reasonably explain this to your stepbrother, you know, because what she did was nuts. Then she double- downed. I'm impressed you're still willing to interact with her at all. If she acts out-of-line anymore, disappear until stepbrother returns. Also, I'd contact him now and very calmy let him know what's up. Be sure to tell him she sa
    via SisterTulips
  • maybe-an-ai NTA "My SIL called me when I was on my way home and said I was overreacting and being childish and this is why I am single and alone." And then you told her to figure everything out herself because as a child it wouldn't be safe for you to watch her kids at all. Right? She can pay a baby sitter. It's her and your step brothers responsibility not yours.
    via maybe-an-ai
  • Mike TalonNYC NTA. Sounds like your SIL decided that \she\ doesn't like your walks. That's her problem to deal with, not yours.
    via MikeTalonNYC
  • ulalumelenore "I don't play these stupid games" is the perfect response. She's too old to be acting like this. Shame that you have to be almost like a parent here and show her that actions have consequences. NTA.
    via ulalumelenore
  • Jackonelli NTA. It's a bit amusing that she tells you to speak to see a therapist, when daily exercise and fresh air are actually good for mental health. Besides, it's not like you are away for hours anyway, a short walk is normal and a part of everyday life.
    via Jackonelli
  • Grymflyk You are my hero, you took action that was proportional to the offense. She is the one that needs to see a therapist to understand why she is so intolerant of other people's routine. She also needs to learn that her ways and opinions do not apply to everyone around her. Just because she is not doing anything to take care of herself, it doesn't mean that she gets to make decisions for others health. NTA, don't go back, let her sleep in the bed she made.
    via Grymflyk
  • lord_buff74 NTA, does you SIL seriously think walking a couple of miles a day is some sort of issue that needs therapy? Is she unaware of the concept of exercise? Honestly it sounds more like she is annoyed that you get to do things away from her kids. Also, maybe she shouldn't steal other people's property.
    via lord_buff74
  • Infamous-Berry-5875 NTA. She sounds like she needs a therapist. She might have separation anxiety from her husband (your stepbrother) and treating you as an extension of him. Hiding your shoes to prevent you "from disappearing" when you're helping her out is extreme entitled behavior.
    via Infamous-Berry-5875

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shoes kids stepbrother exercise visit sister in law babysitting walking
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