‘She didn’t even ask me': Woman refuses to drop everything after her entitled sister assumes she'll babysit her 6-year-old daughter, stands her ground and keeps her original plans

Author image for Cata Holmes
Cata Holmes • Writer
Sep 29, 2026 8:30 AM EDT

Is she wrong for refusing to cancel her plans after her sister volunteered her as a babysitter?

When it comes to family, the boundary between "personal time" and being there for others often vanishes. Some members would assume that for the sake of family, we should drop everything and go to help. And I'm not against that, but only if the situation is that serious or if it's an emergency, not for a Saturday night babysitting shift.

So I agree with the woman here. She is usually the one who looks after her niece when her sister has some other commitments, and she loves it, since she has the best relationship with the 6-year-old girl. But in this situation, the sister thought that the woman wouldn't mind watching her and made reservations for a night out with her husband, considering she would be available. So, essentially, she didn't ask her.

The woman wasn't available that night: she had plans made with her friends, and she was not going to cancel them because nobody asked her to babysit; they assumed she would be available. And that's the problem when it comes to family, and this is when that boundary is erased. Now, the sister is angry that she won't be the one babysitting and even made the kid feel sad about it, because she had promised the aunt was going to spend some time with her.

But It's not the woman's problem. She wasn't asked, and she has the right to refuse and to stick with the original plans she had. She doesn't deserve the cold attitude from her sister or the anger from the little girl, who was expecting her that night. That's why it is important to respect others' boundaries, no matter if we are talking about family.

Advertisement
  • Woman confronts her sister after learning she was expected to babysit her 6-year-old niece without being asked first.
    via Unsplash+ (via Vitaly Gariev)

    Woman confronts her sister after learning she was expected to babysit her 6-year-old niece without being asked first.

    Model portrayal.

  • AITJ for refusing to babysit my niece after my sister volunteered me without asking?

    My sister has a 6yo daughter who I absolutely adore. I've babysat her plenty of times before, usually whenever my sister asks and I'm available. Last weekend, my sister called and casually mentioned
    via CathyWalsh_
  • that I'd be watching my niece. Saturday evening because she and her husband had plans. I was confused because she had never actually asked me.
    via CathyWalsh_
  • I told her i already had plans with friends that night and couldn't do it. She immediately got frustrated and said she had already made reservations because she assumed I wouldn't mind.
    via CathyWalsh_
  • Apparently she had also already told my niece she was spending the evening with me. I offered to babysit another night, but she that didn't help because their reservation was for Saturday.
    via CathyWalsh_
  • Then she told me I go out with my friends all the time and that missing one evening shouldn't be a big deal for family.
    via CathyWalsh_
  • What bothered me most was that she made me feel like I was disappointing my niece when I never agreed anything in the first place. My niece apparently asked why I didn't want to see her, which honestly made me feel
    via CathyWalsh_
  • awful. My sister eventually found someone else, but she's still being cold with me and says I could have avoided all of this by just helping her for one evening. I love my niece and normally have
    via CathyWalsh_
  • no problem helping, but I don't think that means my time can automatically be volunteered.
    via CathyWalsh_
  • Aunt spends time with her young niece.
    via Unsplash+ (via Kateryna Hliznitsova)

    Aunt spends time with her young niece.

    Stock photo unrelated.

  • comradecowgirlv2 NTJ, that's wild to assume someone will be at your beck and call whenever. Very r de of your sister and potentially cost her you babysitting for free in the future
    via CathyWalsh_
  • ThatFatGuyMJL NTA. Your sister assumed and made an ass out of herself. Its unacceptable for her to weaponise her daughter that way.
    via CathyWalsh_
  • Top_Philosopher 1809 NTJ. She expects free babysitting and uses her daughter to guilt trip you. She needs to ask in advance if you have plans and not assume. Her daughter is her responsibility not yours.
    via CathyWalsh_
  • NecessaryRepulsive 76 NTJ also it's better to say no now bc this would just keep happening. Your sister doesn't respect your time and feels like she doesn't have to ask you to babysit whenever she wants that is not a pattern you want to start
    via CathyWalsh_
  • PugglePack83 She expects it. Weaponizes the niece against you. Because of this I am never babysitting again. Only visiting.
    via CathyWalsh_
  • ThrowRA071312 NTJ Your sister made an ASSumption and got it. wrong. She's the ass, not you. Turn everything back on her. As family, SHE should've RESPECTED you enough to ask.
    via CathyWalsh_
  • Woman stands her ground after refusing to cancel her plans when her sister assumes she will babysit for the evening.
    via Unsplash+ (via Vitaly Gariev)

    Woman stands her ground after refusing to cancel her plans when her sister assumes she will babysit for the evening.

    Picture does not depict real parties.

  • WEM-2022 I do hope your sister is paying you to be a babysitter because she certainly treating you like an employee.
    via CathyWalsh_
  • Decent_Front4647 NTJ if you let her start making plans without asking you first you will set a a bad precedent of her abusing it. Stay firm.
    via CathyWalsh_
  • Handbag Lady Ohh I no. Tell your niece her mommy didn't follow the rules and that you already had a commitment in which you didn't want to disappoint your friends just as she feels disappointed. Blame your sister.
    via CathyWalsh_
  • Thriillsy NTA If your niece asks you, you say this to her: "Of course I want to spend time with you, I love spending time with you, but your mommy forgot to ask me first and unfortunately I was busy that day."
    via CathyWalsh_
  • mzmm123 ΝΤΑ Did she prioritize YOU and your needs when she made her plans? She can stay mad.
    via CathyWalsh_
  • OddGuarantee4061 You need to say no the next few times she asks you. As long as she is treating you as if you are in the wrong, she is learning nothing and will just do it again.
    via CathyWalsh_

  • I'm glad the sister didn't have to cancel her plans and could find a replacement. I hope that next time, she can ask her sister if she's available to babysit, rather than assuming she will. Asking is respect, especially when it comes to someone else's time.

Want More? Follow Us and Add Us as a Preferred Source on Google.

Tags

sister drama niece babysitting sister entitled people
Scroll Down For The Next Article