Imagine you’re a 17-year-old high school senior, up to your eyeballs in catch-up work after missing two weeks of school. Thanksgiving break is your golden opportunity to get back on track. But then, your aunt drops by at 7am with your 8-year-old non-verbal autistic cousin, Jack, in tow, asking you to babysit him for the day. What would you do? This is the dilemma one teenager found herself in, and her decision led to an unexpected family fallout. Let’s dive into her story…
Meet Jack, The Handful Cousin
A Sudden Babysitting Request ♀️
The Clash Over Priorities vs
The Fallout: Grounded for a Month!
The Silent Treatment
Jack’s School Struggles
Family Dynamics: A Tangled Web ️
A Thanksgiving Break Dilemma: School or Family Duty?
Caught between the need to catch up on schoolwork and the sudden responsibility of babysitting her autistic cousin, a 17-year-old girl makes a choice that stirs up a family storm. Her decision to prioritize her studies over looking after Jack, her 8-year-old non-verbal autistic cousin, leads to a fallout with her aunt and a month-long grounding from her mother. Despite her attempts at apologizing, she’s met with silence and regret. Now, she’s left questioning her decision and navigating the tricky terrain of family dynamics. Let’s see what the internet has to say about this sticky situation…
RELATED STORIES
NTA: Don’t let them make you feel bad for prioritizing schoolwork
NTA. Aunt’s an a**hole, but is mom the true a**hole?
NTA: Aunt’s last-minute request for 8-hour babysitting is unreasonable
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NTA. Pressure on a 17yo to babysit autistic cousin
“NTA. No one should be forced to be free childcare for a special needs child. They demanded then you said no, it doesn’t matter if you had plans or not. Then OP was insulted, shamed and bullied by 2 older females who f**k should know better. The punishment would make me never want to ever extend another courtesy for the Aunt because OP is being punished for not being a willing servant.”
NTA: Aunt and mom are assholes. Check out this article.
“An 8-year-old’s rage can lead to serious injuries. NTA!”
Aunt and mom drama: selfishness and immaturity. Not the a**hole.
NTA! Aunt expects too much. Parents are being major A-holes.
NTA, aunt is entitled. OP may be in an abusive household.
NTA. Schoolwork vs babysitting? Aunt and mom both AHs.
Regret punishment, not decision. It was right. NTA
NTA- Your aunt’s lack of planning is not your responsibility
NTA: Aunt was rude and entitled, Mom needs to set boundaries.
Stand your ground! Schoolwork is important, boundaries are crucial.
NTA, but the boy needs stability and care
NTA – Standing up for yourself against unfair family expectations!
Focus on your education and future, not mandatory babysitting duties.
NTA, unfair grounding for babysitting autistic cousin. Super ridiculous!
Schoolwork vs Babysitting: Family Drama
Unfair last-minute request from aunt makes you NTA
Mom’s questionable priorities: education vs. babysitting
Family drama: No one else could watch autistic cousin?
NTA. Schoolwork should be your priority, not babysitting responsibilities.
Commenter argues against teen babysitting autistic cousin. NTA
Teen chooses schoolwork over babysitting autistic cousin. Savage response to mom.
NTA. Aunt didn’t plan or compensate. Parents punished unfairly.
♀️ Teen chooses freedom over babysitting autistic cousin. NTA!
Aunt’s version of events? NTA wonders about the truth.
NTA! You did everything right!
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NTA. Escape toxic family and embrace freedom and independence.
Mom prioritized work over cousin, commenter supports OP’s decision.
Refuse the chores and stand up for yourself. You’re not alone.
Teen refuses to babysit autistic cousin, parents called a**holes.
Grounded for a month for babysitting? Not the a**hole!
NTA and it’s a shame your cousin is stuck with her for a mom. Your mom is an AH too. You shouldn’t be grounded for not wanting to babysit for 8 hours without notice. Was she gonna pay you??
Debate over responsibility for autistic cousin’s care. Who’s right?
NTA. Your aunt is entitled and your mother is unreasonable.
NTA. Where’s the cousin’s dad? Your mom and aunt are awful!
NTA: Calling out selfishness with a touch of sarcasm
Empathy and encouragement for standing up against bullying.
Family drama: NTA, but time to make an exit plan
Teen clashes with cousin over babysitting, sparks family feud.
NTA. Stand up for yourself and seek support if needed!
NTA. Stand up for yourself and set boundaries with your family!
Engaging comment: NTA. Schoolwork > babysitting. Logical approach to resolve conflict.
NTA. Troll her with residential facility and expensive rates.
NTA. Stand up for yourself and set boundaries with family.
Teen prioritizes education over babysitting autistic cousin. NTA!
NTA, but your aunt & mom certainly qualify. And, show this to your mom.
NTA. Aunt’s work important? Mom could’ve taken off. Aunt immature.
NTA: Communication is key! Mom’s punishment is unfair.
NTA, but here’s a sneaky suggestion to avoid babysitting trouble
NTA, but prioritize your independence. Seek counseling for support.
Stand your ground! You’re not their on-call babysitter
Stand up to your mom! You have the right!
NTA! Share this post with your mom to make her understand!
Teen prioritizes schoolwork over babysitting autistic cousin. NTA!
NTA. Juggling schoolwork and babysitting? Your aunt needs better planning.
NTA. Prioritizing education over babysitting, your aunt was unreasonable.
NTA: Schoolwork > Babysitting. Parents are A-holes for grounding.
NTA. No regrets, no worries. You made the right call!
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You’re not responsible for her lack of planning.
Schoolwork over babysitting! You go, kiddo!
Balancing responsibilities: NTA, schoolwork is important but backup plans needed.
NTA. Family drama and unfair expectations. Stand up for yourself!
Mom tried to dump babysitting on you. Not your problem!
Commenter advises prioritizing schoolwork and independence for a better future.
NTA, consider youth social services or reaching out for help.
Teen refuses to babysit autistic cousin, faces unfair punishment.
Standing up for yourself and setting boundaries. You’re not the a**hole!
Mom and aunt are the a**holes, not the commenter.
Stand up for yourself! Schoolwork comes first.
NTA: Stand your ground and say no to babysitting forever!
NTA: You’re not obliged to babysit, your mother overreacted.
Mom should have watched her own kid. Not your responsibility.
No obligation to babysit, prioritize your safety and school work!
NTA. Not your kid, not your problem. ♀️
Stand up for yourself! Don’t let them take advantage.
NTA at all. Family drama and toxic relationships
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Stand your ground and pursue your dreams!
Mom and aunt are both in the wrong. NTA!
