Picture this: a 19-year-old girl is excited for her date night with her boyfriend, but her parents have other plans. They want her to babysit her 9-year-old half-brother, despite having a babysitter lined up. When the babysitter cancels last minute, the parents insist she cancels her plans and stays home. But the girl has had enough, and she decides to leave her brother home alone. Now, she’s facing the wrath of her stepmom and is being called irresponsible. Let’s dive into the story and see if she was justified in her actions.
The Family Situation
The Dilemma: Babysitting or Date Night?
Parents’ Expectations
Babysitter Canceled!
Standing Her Ground
The Ultimatum ⏰
The Aftermath ️
Facing the Wrath
Living Arrangements Clarified
EDIT: More Background Info
Past Babysitting Experience
The Ultimate Babysitting Showdown
So, our 19-year-old protagonist was all set for her date night, but her parents had other plans. They wanted her to babysit her 9-year-old brother after their hired babysitter canceled. She stood her ground and gave her parents an ultimatum, but they didn’t return home in time. So, she left her brother home alone, only to face her stepmom’s wrath upon her return. Was she wrong for leaving him alone, or were her parents unreasonable for not coming back in time? Let’s see what the internet thinks of this situation…
RELATED STORIES
Responsibility of parents to come home, NTA for leaving brother.
Sibling left 9yo home alone, commenter defends OP’s actions. NTA.
Leaving a 9-year-old alone is wrong, but was there a setup?
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NTA for leaving 9-year-old brother home alone. Parents are responsible.
Leaving a 9-year-old alone is wrong, but parents are worse AHs
User suspects manipulation, questions living situation and divorce settlement.
Leaving a 9-year-old alone: NTA or irresponsible?
Leaving 9-year-old alone okay if stepmom had time. NTA
NTA for not wanting to babysit, soft YTA for leaving brother alone.
OP’s not invited to restaurant at 19, but expected to babysit?
Setting boundaries with parents and charging for babysitting advice
Redditors agree: SM and dad are the a**holes in this situation
Neglecting a 9-year-old for fun? ESH, except the poor kid
Leaving a 9-year-old home alone: NTA or YTA? Discussion.
NTA for leaving 9-year-old brother home alone with parents’ consent
Sibling shouldn’t be treated as free childcare. NTA before leaving.
Leaving before siblings to avoid responsibility?
Stepmom set you up, but leaving 9-year-old alone was wrong. ESH
User suggests no babysitter was present, NTA for leaving.
Leaving a 9-year-old home alone at night? ESH for sure
Sibling refuses to babysit, parents ignore boundaries. NTA
Leaving a 9-year-old alone to teach a lesson? ESH
NTA commenter defends leaving brother home alone, blames parents instead.
A humorous comment with a reference to Labyrinth movie.
Leaving a 9-year-old alone at night is irresponsible. ESH.
Sibling forced to babysit younger brother, not responsible for damage. NTA.
Leaving 9-year-old alone for date night? ESH, but suspicious.
Stepmom tried to force OP to babysit, NTA for refusing ♂️
Leaving a 9-year-old home alone for a date? YTA.
Growing up independently vs. overprotective parenting in modern times
NTA for leaving brother alone or parents for poor planning?
Leaving 9-year-old alone? YTA, you knew the plans were important
Leaving a 9-year-old alone? ESH. Parents should have helped.
User criticizes parents for not supervising their 9-year-old son.
NTA. Family leaves 9yo home alone, blames 19yo sibling.
Redditor believes ESH in leaving 9-year-old brother home alone.
8-year-old self approves: NTA for leaving brother alone.
Stand your ground and show them the post.
Leaving a 9YO home alone is risky and irresponsible
OP is the biggest a**hole for leaving 9-year-old brother alone
Leaving a 9-year-old alone is dangerous and entitled behavior. YTA.
You’re not the a-hole for leaving your brother alone ♀️
Leaving a 9-year-old alone requires careful consideration.
Leaving a 9-year-old alone? YTA. Priorities matter
Passionate commenter condemns NTA responses with angry emoji.
Stepmother’s irresponsibility puts burden on older sibling. NTA
Leaving a 9-year-old alone? Definitely YTA ♀️
Leaving a 9-year-old with behavior issues home alone: ESH
Taking care of a younger sibling is a responsibility, not punishment
Leaving a self-sufficient 9-year-old home alone: NTA
Being a half-brother doesn’t excuse leaving a 9yo alone.
NTA. You’re not responsible for their child, nor the vase.
Sibling refuses to help with younger brother, but parents also at fault.
Leaving a 9-year-old alone is selfish, but not the a**hole.
Leaving a 9-year-old alone is unsafe and irresponsible. ESH.
YTA for leaving a 9-year-old alone. Grow up
Leaving a 9-year-old home alone? YTA according to commenters.
OP prioritized date over 9-year-old brother, YTA.
Setting boundaries with parents, stepmom’s story reeks of bs
NTA. Sibling not obligated to babysit, parent’s responsibility. Options given.
Leaving a child alone with no supervision is unacceptable
Sibling accuses OP of prioritizing fancy restaurant over brother’s safety
Leaving a 9-year-old home alone is risky, but not their responsibility. ESH.
Leaving a 9-year-old home alone is not okay. ESH.
Leaving a 9-year-old alone for fun? ESH.
![Image credit: [deleted] | [deleted]](https://static.diply.com/c2d32e89-923f-4d36-829a-807d72590d80.png)
Sneaky compromise or shady behavior?
Leaving a 9-year-old home alone: ESH. Home life uncomfortable now
Leaving a 9-year-old alone? Everyone’s the a**hole here.
Leaving a child home alone is never okay. YTA.
Leaving a 9-year-old home alone: NTA or bad parenting?
Unfair to assume free labor, but not brother’s fault. ESH.
Setting boundaries is important. Soft NTA for standing up for yourself.
NTA. OP is not responsible for their parents’ child and deserves autonomy.
Leaving a child alone is never a good call. EHS.
Leaving a 9-year-old alone? YTA according to this commenter.
Leaving a 9-year-old home alone at 19 is YTA. ♀️
Leaving a 9-year-old alone? NTA but irresponsible
Leaving a 9-year-old home alone: NTA, but controversial.
Leaving a 9-year-old alone is illegal and dangerous. YTA.
Leaving a 9-year-old alone? YTA according to commenters.
Unpopular opinion: ESH. OP should have stayed and had an adult discussion.
Step mom’s plan backfires, NTA for leaving little bro.
Accused of neglect, commenter thinks it’s a set-up. NTA
Leaving a 9-year-old alone is risky, but NTA in this case
