Drama Ensues After Woman Asked SIL And Brother To Find Someone Else To Care For Their 5 Y.O. And 7 Y.O. Children During The Day

Family is pretty much the most significant thing that our life has to offer. It gives us a sense of belonging; it allows us to feel safe and content. Our loved ones teach us the most valuable lessons and prepare us for the big-big world.

It doesn’t matter if you’re a carefree teen or a 60-year-old office worker – having a great connection with your family will promise you your well-being and secure you with that everlasting support.

However, in order to have that strong bond, it’s vital to set and maintain healthy boundaries. Some folks often take the relationship to an absurd extent and even use it for their own benefit, where we end up feeling intruded upon or taken for granted.

More info: Reddit

Putting other people’s needs above yours is never a good idea, even if it’s your family member

Drama Ensues After Woman Asked SIL And Brother To Find Someone Else To Care For Their 5 Y.O. And 7 Y.O. Children During The Day

Image credits: Francisco Carbajal

“AITA for telling my brother and SIL to find alternate childcare?” – this online user took it to one of the most cherished subreddits to reveal a story about the altercation she had with her brother and his wife. The post has managed to receive over 17K upvotes, as well as 1.2K worth of comments debating about the audacity that some folks have.

Woman wonders if she’s wrong for telling her brother and SIL to find an alternative childcare option, as watching their kids greatly affects her job performance

Drama Ensues After Woman Asked SIL And Brother To Find Someone Else To Care For Their 5 Y.O. And 7 Y.O. Children During The Day

Image credits: u/brothrowaway789456

The author started her post off with an introduction; she’s a 41-year-old woman and has a brother who’s slightly younger. The brother is married and has two young kids, while the OP and her husband are childfree by choice.

Drama Ensues After Woman Asked SIL And Brother To Find Someone Else To Care For Their 5 Y.O. And 7 Y.O. Children During The Day

Image credits: u/brothrowaway789456

The woman then revealed that she has no issues with children, it was just a personal choice not to have any herself and that she and her husband enjoy being aunt and uncle to her brother’s offspring. Moreover, the couple doesn’t mind having the woman’s niece and nephew over when her brother and sister-in-law are in need of a break, though they do love the peace and quiet so they don’t do it too often.

Sadly, her brother had some issues at his company which resulted in his wife getting a part-time job so that she could help him out with the bills. Their children, at the time, were attending school online, which means that the spouses needed some help with childcare.

Drama Ensues After Woman Asked SIL And Brother To Find Someone Else To Care For Their 5 Y.O. And 7 Y.O. Children During The Day

Image credits: MadFishDigital

Later on, the author’s brother wondered if the couple would be willing to watch his kids during the day since they’re both working from home. Naturally, the woman and her husband agreed but only with the promise that the babysitting is going to be a temporary thing and until they’ll be able to find an alternative childcare option. Well, it all went on for 4 months.

Drama Ensues After Woman Asked SIL And Brother To Find Someone Else To Care For Their 5 Y.O. And 7 Y.O. Children During The Day

Image credits: u/brothrowaway789456

The woman then revealed that she is expecting a massive trial and has been working for 80 hours a week to prepare. She spoke to her sister-in-law and brother on multiple occasions and kept informing them that it was getting practically impossible to manage the kids and work at the same time.

The OP decided to put an end to this situation when the kids interrupted her meeting with a client by arguing over a TV remote, and when their mother came to pick them up, the woman gave her two weeks to find someone else. She revealed that she cannot watch the children anymore as it is affecting her job performance, and it is very unfair for them to put her in this position.

Drama Ensues After Woman Asked SIL And Brother To Find Someone Else To Care For Their 5 Y.O. And 7 Y.O. Children During The Day

Image credits: u/brothrowaway789456

As expected, the sister-in-law went absolutely ballistic and called the OP selfish, while also saying that she’s uncaring. Later on, her brother called and scolded her for not having any compassion for them. The woman tried to resolve the issue by saying that if it has anything to do with their finances she’s more than willing to chip in for a nanny or an au pair – however, the man didn’t handle the suggestion well and accused her of “flaunting her wealth”.

Drama Ensues After Woman Asked SIL And Brother To Find Someone Else To Care For Their 5 Y.O. And 7 Y.O. Children During The Day

Image credits: Virginia State Parks

Time goes by, sister-in-law ended up putting in her two weeks’ notice, and the brother, once again, has added more fuel to the fire and said that if his family ends up homeless – that’ll be all on her.

Fellow Redditors were dumbfounded by the audacity of the parents

Drama Ensues After Woman Asked SIL And Brother To Find Someone Else To Care For Their 5 Y.O. And 7 Y.O. Children During The Day

Darja is a Content Creator at Bored Panda. She studied at the University of Westminster, where she got her Bachelor's degree in Contemporary Media Practice. She loves photography, foreign music and re-watching Forrest Gump.

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I am a visual editor here. In my free time I enjoy the vibrant worlds of art galleries, exhibitions, and soulful concerts. Yet, amidst life's hustle and bustle, I find solace in nature's embrace, cherishing tranquil moments with beloved friends. Deep within, I hold a dream close - to embark on a global journey in an RV, accompanied by my faithful canine companion. Together, we'll wander through diverse cultures, weaving precious memories under the starry night sky, fulfilling the wanderlust that stirs my soul.

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What do you think ?

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Suzi Q 2 years ago

NTA-working from home doesn't mean you are free. If you worked in an office, they wouldn't even consider asking. You gave them an inch and they took a mile. You offered to help with expenses but rather than accept it, they threaten that YOU that they're going to be homeless? If they were really that close to homelessness, she would have kept her job and taken you up on your offer to pay for childcare. They would rather take their kids into homelessness? Okay not buying it.

61points

Lucas 2 years ago

That was my feeling. If SIL is giving up her job they are either not that much at risk of homelessness or willing to do something incredibly stupid to make a point. Or maybe just lying and she isn't really giving up her job but was saying it in the hopes of piling on the pressure. In any case OP has been more than reasonable. People do love to overreact and blame others for their problems.

30points

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Vira 2 years ago

It's weird how many people think WFH means people don't work at all. It means I get to enjoy my house, but it doesn't mean I am not still working 8/10/16 hour days. Sometimes stuck at a desk, or a machine, all day. It's still work! There are still clients, deadlines, demands, and expectations. It makes me wonder if the people that imagine WFH is equivalent to "not working" are struggling because they have no self discipline, and are terrible employees - the types of people who try to get away with doing nothing at every chance they get.

9points

Catlady6000 2 years ago (edited)

NTH, but I have been the In-laws. Frankly, when you're under extreme stress, you may not always be able to think clearly or reasonably. Instead of thinking, you just react because you're constantly in fight or flight mode due to the stress and the least little thing, good or bad, can tip you over. Hopefully things will settle soon and OP will be getting a heartfelt apology and thank you. And the In-laws will accept the financial assistance.

3points

Molly Whuppie 2 years ago

Wait, the brother has had cutbacks at work - so much so that the sister in law needed a part time job to help with the bills, does this mean the brother was working less? because if so, wtf is he doing with his free time?

35points