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AITA for telling my sister that if she needs this much handholding I won’t have her babysit anymore

· 4 min read

I’ve been the unofficial superhero of my neighbor’s house for years. The lady across the hall has two little monsters (age 2 and 6) and a dog that thinks it’s a second child. I juggle school drop‑offs, pick‑ups, dinner prep, and occasional “just in case” babysitting, all while getting paid a fraction of the market rate because I’m kind of the best at it.

Enter the plot twist: the 6‑year‑old is on a school break and I’ve got a week off, so I’m the natural choice to keep him entertained. My dentist appointment is scheduled for the same day, so I hand the boy over to my 18‑year‑old sister for a two‑hour “quick check” of her babysitting skills.

I left a cheat sheet:

  • Read for 15 minutes (any book will do)
  • 30 minutes of screen time (no, the TV is not counted)
  • Snack options: peanut‑butter sandwich, dino nuggets (instructions included), Kraft mac & cheese, plus a fruit and a veggie
  • Park trip with the dog for a chocolate bar
  • Craft kits on standby

It should have been a walk‑in‑the‑park‑and‑eat‑a‑sandwich kind of job. I even left a note about the dog’s schedule, the kid’s food preferences, and a “take the dog to the park for a chocolate bar” reminder.

Fast forward: I return to find the boy midway through a movie, my sister looking like she’s just been handed the manual to the entire universe, and a barrage of texts that read like a toddler’s version of “Help me, I have no idea what to do.”

“What’s the reading assignment? I can’t find a book.”
“Is the TV allowed?”
“Do I need to take the dog to the park?”

I tried to keep my cool: “Any book will do, you’re overthinking it. It’s all in the instructions.” But the next morning, my sister’s tears were flowing faster than the dog’s bark, and I’m left wondering if I just handed her a Rubik’s Cube.

The neighbor is furious. She’s got bills to pay, and I’m the only babysitter she can trust. Now I’m the one being accused of being a terrible parent. Did I go too far?

Comment 1 – “The Babysitting Experience Factor”​

The internet’s first line of defense: “How many hours of babysitting experience does she have?” Apparently, my sister is a rookie who’s never watched a child. A kid needs less instruction than a toddler, right? And if she’s a beginner, maybe a “full‑service babysitting kit” was in order: pre‑made snacks, a list of emergency contacts, a pre‑selected movie, and a note that the dog’s leash is not a chew toy.

Bottom line: It’s not just about the kids; it’s about the babysitter’s skill level.

Comment 2 – “The Language Barrier”​

Some folks point out that my sister is an English second‑language speaker. “I can’t imagine not understanding the instructions.” The universe of babysitting is one of miscommunication and over‑reading the fine print—especially if you’re a teenager who’s never babysat a kid before. A single “read for 15 minutes” can be as confusing as a cryptic crossword.

Comment 3 – “The Generation Gap”​

The generational critique: Gen Z & Alpha kids have tiny attention spans and demand hand‑holding at every step. Teachers complain that “critical thinking skills” are on the decline. So if a 16‑year‑old is asking for clarification on whether the TV counts as screen time, perhaps it’s not a flaw in the plan but a reflection of a culture of over‑guidance.

Comment 4 – “The Over‑Complication Argument”​

This is the “YTA” (You’re The Asshole) line. The argument goes: “You gave her too many tasks and too many instructions. She was overwhelmed.” The suggestion? Pre‑prep the kid’s snacks, set up a movie, leave a list of emergency contacts, and just walk away. If the dog’s a big deal, let her know the leash is a dog leash, not a rope for the dog to chew on.

Comment 5 – “The Dentist Appointment Drama”​

A meta‑commentary about the dentist appointment’s duration: “How long did this dentist appointment take???” If the appointment was 30 minutes, the plan was realistic. If it was 90 minutes, we’re talking a full‑scale crisis.

TL;DR​

You left a kid with an 18‑year‑old who’s never babysat a toddler. The instructions were as clear as a Google Doc, but the sister’s questions were the real test of your babysitting diplomacy. Next time, leave a pre‑made snack, a pre‑selected movie, a list of emergency contacts, and maybe a “no, the TV doesn’t count as screen time” reminder. Or just babysit yourself and save the drama for the next family reunion.