College Student Refuses To Babysit Triplet Cousins Unless Aunt And Uncle Pay $200 Per Night, Gets Called A-Hole
In her defense, the triplets *are* a nightmare.
A 28-year-old woman refused to babysit her triplet cousins unless her aunt and uncle agreed to pay $200 per night, and Reddit is not letting anyone forget it. Apparently, this was not a “quick favor” situation either, because she had already babysat them multiple times at 16, and it came with a trail of chaos.
The triplets were described as unruly little tornadoes, to the point where her belongings got damaged and even neighbors had something to say. On top of that, the final straw was her phone getting broken during one of the babysitting sessions, and she was done absorbing the fallout.
So when her aunt pulled a last-minute request, OP offered a price, and that is when the family dinner did not end well. Here is the full story.
At 16, OP reluctantly babysat her unruly triplet cousins three times, enduring chaos and damage to her belongings.
RedditShe stopped babysitting after her phone was damaged by the unruly triplets. Despite the chaos reported by neighbors, she respects their special status as her aunt and uncle's miracle babies.
RedditAfter denying a last-minute babysitting request, she suggested a $200 fee, faced tension, and insisted they find someone else.
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Family dynamics often become complicated when expectations intersect with financial matters, especially in scenarios like babysitting.
They asked again, and upon reiterating her conditions, they declined. She maintained her initial refusal.
Scroll down to see what people had to say...
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Her aunt called her mom upset; her mom said she's an adult and can decide for herself.
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Maybe babysitters aren't keen on flying phones and family drama? 🤷♂️ /s
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Her aunt and uncle had already cashed in on OP’s “miracle babies” goodwill, and three babysitting runs later, OP was still paying for the damage with her own stuff.
The demand for compensation in familial obligations can reflect deeper issues of self-worth and autonomy.
Paying babysitters who bail mid-shift, but the family's too priceless to compensate?
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Her time is not free childcare, and a professional sitter might need combat pay. Phone damage without reimbursement?
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The price tag includes a potential injury, property damage, and a cardio workout. $300 might even be a discount for the adventure!
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The moment her phone got broken, OP stopped saying yes, even though her relatives kept acting like the cousins’ status should automatically cancel the consequences.
Conflict within families often arises from misaligned expectations and communication styles.
Families can benefit from workshops that teach these skills, helping members express their needs constructively.
This echoes the cousin who used a gambling loan instead of rent and is now demanding repayment.
Are these kids training for a circus act? They might need a whole team of sitters or a world tour!
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Babysitting three little demons without a paycheck? Good luck finding a saint willing to sign up for that gig!
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$30 for a night of babysitting? Are they hiring a babysitter or running a lemonade stand in 1985?
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When the aunt asked again at the last minute, OP didn’t just refuse, she countered with $200 per night, and the tone in the family instantly changed.
The perception of being treated unfairly can lead to significant emotional distress. A study in the Journal of Abnormal Psychology shows that perceived inequity in relationships can result in anger and frustration, which is evident in this case.
Recognizing and validating these feelings is crucial for addressing the underlying issues and moving toward resolution.
It's like giving a bicycle as a reward for crushing a Ferrari.
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Her phone played superhero, got tossed in 3 vs. 1 chaos, and they expected her to foot the bill for not being a babysitting Avenger!
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Next time they beg, agree but insist on double the price for short notice, and cash upfront to avoid disappearing acts!
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Practical Recommendations for Family Dynamics
Families should engage in open discussions about needs and boundaries, which can prevent misunderstandings.
Cash upfront, $500 per child damage deposit, 72-hour assessment. Let the babysitting negotiations begin!
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Family should replace broken items, not just play the 'family' card.
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Next time they say 'family,' remind them it goes both ways. You're not signed up for kid duty.
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Family helps each other, but apparently, replacements are a one-way street.
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$30 for 3 wild kids, 5 hours? A solid $6/hr family discount on my superhero babysitting.
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'Miracle babies' don't justify chaos. Fair price for 3 wild kids. 'But we're family' is BS; their kids are nightmares.
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After her aunt called OP’s mom upset, OP stuck to her guns and told them to find someone else, leaving the whole household arguing over whether she was being “an A-hole.”
In the end, babysitting is like being in a sitcom without the laugh track: you're dealing with comedic chaos, but the punchline is you're the only one not laughing. It turns out, charging $200 isn't just about money; it's about affording a sense of humor in family-sized portions.
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The scenario involving the college student and the triplet cousins underscores the intricate nature of family dynamics.
Nobody wants to babysit three chaos gremlins for free, especially when the phone bill is the cost of doing family favors.
Still unsure about family favors, check out the cousin who negligently pet-sat and left their pet with a vet bill.