Parents lock siblings out for repeatedly breaking curfew, sibling refuses to answer late-night calls asking to be let back in: 'I was put in the middle'

Author image for Cata Holmes
Cata Holmes • Writer
Jun 13, 2026 12:00 PM EDT

Was it fair to expect one sibling to fix a mess they didn't create?

A girl reached out to the Reddit community in r/AITAH since she found herself in the middle of a big family conflict. Apparently, she has two siblings who are well known for breaking the rules in the house, especially the ones about curfew. One night, they went out (as usual), and the parents told her not to open the door for them when they came back.

Of course, later that night, she woke up multiple times because both siblings were blasting her phone with calls, begging her to open the door. But she obeyed her parents and didn't do it. Fast forward to the next morning, both were furious at her and accused her of betrayal.

I think we can empathize with the tight situation u/Artistic-Raisin5257 was in. I mean, having to choose between your siblings or your parents, it's a tough pill to swallow. I totally understand the parents' frustration and why they wanted to teach their other kids a lesson, but I truly believe that involving the other siblings is never the answer, because it creates that expected friction in their relationship.

This story represents the kind of family dispute where everyone is accusing each other. There is no right or wrong here: it doesn't even matter that the two rebel siblings like to sneak out. The issue is the distrust that was created among those three siblings. 

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    via Unsplash+ (via Safar Safarov)

    Young woman with long hair looks directly at the camera while standing outdoors.

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  • I live with my parents and siblings. One of my siblings, and to a lesser extent my other sibling, have a history of ignoring my parents' rules. They regularly stay out much later than they're supposed to, come home after curfew, and generally do what they want despite repeated warnings and arguments over some time now. One night, both of my siblings came home very late. My parents were furious because this wasn't a one-time mistake it was part of a pattern that had been going on for a long time
    via Artistic-Raisin5257
  • Before going to bed, both of my parents explicitly told me not to open the door for them if they came home late and not to answer any calls asking me to let them in. They were completely serious about it. In fact, my dad sat in the living room for a while to make sure I wouldn't go against their decision.
    via Artistic-Raisin5257
  • Later that night, one of my siblings started repeatedly calling me. I was already dealing with a mild fever and a headache, and I had to wake up very early the next morning for work so I didn't bother answering but at the same time I felt insanely bad so I kept asking my parents if I could open and they refused. I knew exactly why they were calling. They wanted me to open the door, but I wasn't allowed to do that, and I didn't want to cross my parents' decision.
    via Artistic-Raisin5257
  • Because of that, I didn't answer the calls. I figured the conversation would just be them demanding that I let them in and me telling them I couldn't. Eventually I stopped checking my phone and fell asleep, so I missed some of the later calls as well.
    via Artistic-Raisin5257
  • The next morning, I called my sibling to make sure they were okay and to find out where they had stayed. They were extremely angry at me.They said I had betrayed them, called me a horrible person, and even said I wasn't their sibling anymore because I ignored their calls and left them stuck outside until morning.
    via Artistic-Raisin5257
  • For context, they had already spoken with my parents and knew why they weren't being let in, so it wasn't as though they had no idea what was going on.
    via Artistic-Raisin5257
  • I understand why they're upset, but I also feel like I was put in the middle of a situation that wasn't my decision to make. I wasn't the one who locked them out, and I wasn't allowed to let them in even if I had answered. But I still feel very bad.
    via Artistic-Raisin5257
  • AITA for ignoring the calls and following my parents' instructions? Should I have at least answered one call to explain that there was nothing I could do?
    via Artistic-Raisin5257
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    via Unsplash+ (via Frank Flores)

    Three young people sit together on a concrete wall under an open sky.

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

  • Once the Reddit community read her story, many of them tried to help her out with some advice. While some of them were saying that she had to help her siblings, no matter what, others were more understanding and made her feel better about obeying her parents. Here are some of those opinions.

  • Mango_Design_0192 Definitely NTA! Your siblings are misplacing their anger! They FAFOD... They should s k it up and own up to the consequences of their actions. You WERE stuck in the middle! NTA
    via Artistic-Raisin5257
  • 1justhavinfun No, they're being immature & selfish
    via Artistic-Raisin5257
  • KittyButt42 Nta. Sounds like they FAFO
    via Artistic-Raisin5257
  • Character-Tennis-241 NTAH Your parents house. Their rules. They knew what they were doing when they stayed out too late. They did it to themselves. Stop feeling bad for them.
    via Artistic-Raisin5257
  • A person holds a smartphone while sitting at a desk with a laptop nearby.
    via Unsplash+ (via Swello)

    A person holds a smartphone while sitting at a desk with a laptop nearby.

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

  • Ambassador Proper 1045 NTA. Your siblings ARE NOT YOUR RESPONSIBILITY! This is between your folks and them. You know your sibs are in the wrong, so don't enable their bad behavior. In short listen to you parents, and next time just block them and stay out of it!
    via Artistic-Raisin5257
  • LauraLand27 ΝΤΑ Why don't they have keys?
    via Artistic-Raisin5257
  • Liz_Kitty Without any ages listed it's impossible to make a determination whether you're the a- hole or not.
    via Artistic-Raisin5257
  • Original_Beyond_8798 Choices and Consequences.... The siblings need to follow the rules. You are not responsible for them failing to arrive home on time. You don't have to feel bad.
    via Artistic-Raisin5257
  • BeardofPants Is ignoring boundaries something they consistently do? No wonder your parents lost their sh. That would annoy me too NTA at all. You said it yourself: your parents put you in the middle. Next time shut your phone off
    via Artistic-Raisin5257
  • eyepocalypse Info: how old are you and your sibling?
    via Artistic-Raisin5257

  • I really hope that she can make amends with her siblings. I have two sisters, and the bond that I have with them is so precious to me. I wouldn't want to create any conflict with them or have something separate us. OP shouldn't feel bad for what she did: instead, she can have a real talk with the two of them and explain her reasons. I'm sure they'll understand.

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family drama siblings curfew sneak out
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