Woman Protects Foster Sister From Overbearing GF During Family Vacation, Now Brother Says She’s “Hogging The Baby”

When this 26-year-old woman’s family decided to open their home to a foster child, she knew it would be an emotional adjustment for everyone. But she didn’t expect a full-on family drama to break out over it — especially not during what was supposed to be a relaxing vacation.

Six months ago, her parents started fostering a little girl named Ellie, a 7-year-old with some health issues. Ellie is tiny, about three and a half feet tall, weighing around 40 pounds, and understandably wary of new people after everything she’s been through.

The Redditor explained that her mom, a nurse, met Ellie at the hospital where she worked — and the bond formed quickly. When Ellie was brought home, her mom switched to part-time work, and the Redditor adjusted her own schedule to be home with Ellie when her mom couldn’t be.

It didn’t take long for Ellie to cling to her new big sister. Whenever she’s not feeling well, she becomes extra attached, needing comfort, cuddles, and a safe space — something the Redditor happily provides.

Last week, the family went on a long-awaited vacation. But unfortunately, Ellie wasn’t feeling her best — her tummy hurt for most of the trip, which meant the Redditor and Ellie spent the week curled up together with blankets and stuffed animals, watching Kpop Demon Hunters on repeat.

Enter Stacey — her brother’s girlfriend — who, according to the Redditor, is obsessed with kids. All week, Stacey kept trying to be part of Ellie’s world, asking if she could take her to the pool, the park, or the lake, offering to do her hair, or asking to join movie time.

The problem? Ellie didn’t want any of it.

The Redditor says she explained multiple times that Ellie only wanted to be around her or their mom when she wasn’t feeling good. But Stacey didn’t seem to get the hint and kept inserting herself anyway, desperate for some one-on-one time with the little girl.

By the end of the trip, Stacey was clearly frustrated. When the Redditor asked her what was wrong, Stacey fired back that it was “ridiculous” for her to “hog Ellie all week” — and that she wasn’t “the only person in the family.”

That’s when Mom stepped in. According to the Redditor, her mom didn’t mince words — she told Stacey she could either stop whining or find her own way home.

Apparently, that shut things down… temporarily.

But when they got home, Stacey started right back up again, accusing the Redditor of “hogging the baby.” This time, Mom put her foot down for good — she told Stacey she wasn’t allowed anywhere near Ellie anymore.

Now, though, the Redditor’s brother is upset. He thinks she should’ve just let Stacey hang out with Ellie and says his girlfriend “just wants to have a little sister.”

Still, the Redditor can’t shake her gut feeling — that protecting Ellie’s boundaries was the right thing to do. After all, the little girl is still recovering, still learning who to trust, and the last thing she needs is to be overwhelmed by someone who won’t respect her space.

But now she’s stuck wondering if she went too far by shutting Stacey out. Was she being overprotective, or just doing what was best for a scared little girl who needed consistency?

One thing’s for sure — this family vacation turned into a lesson in boundaries, patience, and what it really means to show love. Sometimes, the kindest thing you can do for a child isn’t to shower them with attention, but to give them the peace and safety they need to finally exhale.

Now she’s stuck wondering if she went too far by shutting Stacey out.

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Here's the original post by Reddit user 'Dense_Raccoon_928'.

6 months ago, my parents started fostering a little girl, Ellie (7) with some health issues. She’s tiny (maybe 3.5 feet and 40 pounds) and new people freak her out. She’s still adjusting to being part of a big family. I (26f) have 2 sisters and 2 brothers, one of my sisters is married, and both of my brothers have their gfs around.My mom was a nurse at the hospital that Ellie was taken to. Once we took her home, my mom went down to part time and I shifted my schedule to be home with her when my mom’s at work. When she’s not feeling good she gets clingy with me.We went on vacation last week and I don’t know why but her tummy was hurting her the entire time we were there so we spent most of the trip curled up on the couch with a bunch of blankets and stuffies, watching Kpop demon hunters over and over.My brothers girlfriend, Stacey, is obsessed with kids and babies and keeps trying to insert herself with Ellie. She asked Ellie if she wants to go to the pool, the park, the lake, if she wants her to do her hair, if she can watch kpop demon hunters with us, etc. all week. Ellie only wants me and my mom to go anywhere near her when she’s not feeling good and I told Stacey this all week.When we went home, I noticed Stacey was pretty upset. I asked what’s wrong and she told me it’s ridiculous that I was “hogging Ellie” all week and that I’m not the only person in her family.My mom got involved and told Stacey that she could either stop whining or she could find another way home. She was quiet for the rest of the way back, then we got home and Stacey started complaining again that I was “hogging the baby”.My mom and I agreed that Stacey will no longer be allowed anywhere near Ellie. Now my brother’s saying I should’ve just let her hang out with us and that she just wants to have a little sister.Now I’m wondering if I’m wrong for “hogging her” all week and not letting Stacey hang out with us.

Here's how the Reddit community reacted.

Reddit u/TapOk3502

"She feels safe with you and your mom."

Reddit u/Objective-Guess-7372

"Her wants and needs matter."

Reddit u/Ace_boy08

"Good job, big sis."

Reddit u/Pristine_Main_1224

"Ellie's a person, not a toy."

Reddit u/melancholic_muse

NTA.

Reddit u/LowBalance4404

"She can't force a kid to want to be around her."

Reddit u/mommobear5124

She's old enough to choose who she wants around her.

Reddit u/Kappybook916

"She needs time."

Reddit u/EdgelessPennyweight

"You are so NTA."

Reddit u/ImaginationNo5381

"Stacey sounds weird."

Reddit u/laladitz

"What a weirdo."

Reddit u/almaperdida99

"Children choose who they are comfortable with."

Reddit u/Typical_Recording_99

"She is a child."

Reddit u/XtinaTheGreekFreak

In the end, this story isn’t really about “hogging” at all — it’s about knowing when to step back and when to step up. Because sometimes, love looks like giving someone the quiet space they need to feel safe again.