AITA for Refusing to Babysit My Sisters Kids?

Some families treat “family help” like it comes with an automatic subscription, and this one is running nonstop. A 20-year-old woman says her sister’s kids are basically her full-time job, except nobody clocked her in and nobody pays her. When OP finally starts saying no, it turns into a whole event, with her parents calling her names and siding with the sister. Even simple stuff gets weaponized, like OP refusing to wash the dog, which apparently is the same as refusing to “save someone’s life.” And if OP goes out, she’s expected to come back with food for the kids, even though her sister never stocks up.

Now OP is stuck wondering if she’s the problem, or if her family is just addicted to free childcare.

Original Post

I (20F) have been continuously made take care of my sister’s (25 F) children both under 4 which is difficult. Anyway I have recently begun to say no because it’s getting too constant and i feel like my life is revolving around minding my niece and nephew and my sister expects me to say yes every-time and will get mad if i don’t which causes my parents to call me every name under the sun.

Today I said no to washing her dog and you’d swear I said no to saving someone’s life the way everyone reacted. If i go anywhere outside of my house it’s expected that i buy food for her children ( she doesn’t stock up and it feels like she just leaves it for other people to buy on purpose) Just annoying since i’ve had to rush home from dates with baby food so that my nephew could be fed.

My parents completely are on her side and the only person who agrees with me is my brother since he gets treated the same

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This hits similar nerves to the OP skipping the family reunion for therapy while relatives pressured them to show up.

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The moment OP said no to dog-washing, her family acted like she’d committed a crime, not just set a boundary for once.

Every time OP goes out, she has to rush back with baby food because her sister leaves groceries like a trap for everyone else to spring.

Her parents taking her sister’s side, plus the constant “say yes” pressure, is what turns normal babysitting into a control issue.

The only person who gets it is her brother, since he’s also stuck being treated the same way.</p>

What are your thoughts on this situation? Share your perspective in the comments below.

Nobody wants to live their life as the unpaid childcare plan.

For another family blowup over “just one small favor,” read about the secret cookie recipe betrayal that ruined a holiday tradition.