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Teen Refuses To Babysit Kids At A Party, One Of The Dads Becomes Furious When His Kid Is Left Unsupervised
It is not an easy task to watch over a kid. It’s even more demanding when there are six, eight, or twelve of them. That is why nannies and kindergartens exist, so parents can leave their little ones in the safe hands of the professionals—people who choose to do this and get paid for it.
Some parents, however, tend to put this responsibility on others free of charge. They think that someone will look after their child without previously agreeing to it just because they’re around. A young woman on Reddit shared her story of being blamed for not looking after a child when she never agreed to it in the first place. She was expected to babysit kids at a family gathering when one of them wandered off to a nearby creek unsupervised. The dad of the kid was furious with rage and others called her a jerk for not taking care of the infants. She turned to the AITA community to be the judge of that.
RELATED:
Woman on Reddit discussed the time she was expected to watch over children and one wandered off unsupervised
Image credits: LightFieldStudios (not the actual photo)
Guests at family gatherings though she would be looking after their kids without her agreeing to it
Image credits: voronaman111 (not the actual photo)
Image credits: anon
Parents bear responsibility for their children from the second they’re born, so it’s understandable they seek help every once in a while. Grandparents often give them a hand in such situations. There are also nannies and people in kindergartens and schools to alleviate the load. In one way or another, all of them agree to take over responsibility for the tiny human for at least a moment.
When they do, these people are expected to ensure the safety of those in their care. But this expectation often comes from within us as well. For example, when left alone in a room with a toddler, a person will most likely stop them from reaching for any sharp objects nearby. It doesn’t really matter if it’s common sense or natural instinct that does it, but a person feels responsible for the kid all of a sudden.
There are times when parents use this trait maliciously. They get used to their kid being safe around a certain person and start shifting responsibility without any warning. It is not only unfair but dangerous as well; the person might not be paying as close attention as they would if they knew what’s expected of them. In similar cases, parents often don’t watch over their children, and if others don’t know that they should, the kid might be left unsupervised.
People at the family gathering were repeatedly taking advantage of the OP’s sense of responsibility. They never asked her to take care of their kids but then scolded her the second one went missing. Some even considered the girl to be a jerk, but is it fair to leave someone you care for unattended and blame others if something happens?
The r/AITA community had lots to say but most members agreed that the OP was not the jerk
What do you think ?
René Studer 2 years ago
Here’s an idea for the next party. At the end of the day when everybody is getting ready to leave, quietly give every kid an energy drink and a list of swear words.
Carol Emory 2 years ago
My husband and I went to a wedding for one of his friends. A lot of his friends are former co-workers. One, in particular, I disliked because she always took the air that she was better than everyone else. She shows up to the wedding with her two kids in tow. But then comes the part where she ignores the kids in order to socialize. I watch in horror as her son puts his fingers on the bottom tier of the wedding cake and licks the frosting off of them. I point it out, she does nothing, her husband goes to stop him. Her solution to control the kids "Let's have the photographer take pictures of the kids outside." Uhm, that's not his job. His job is to photograph the married couple. That's what they paid him for. Why do people have kids if they aren't willing to parent.
Krystal Lutz 2 years ago (edited)
For 3 reasons that I can truly think of. 1. They got pregnant and feel morally obligated to keep the pregnancy and have the child. 2. The status of it. "Oh look at me I'm a parent I'm a responsible adult. 3. It was obviously the cool thing to do.
Load More Replies...
Negatoris Wrecks 2 years ago
16 year old watching 8-10 kids under six at an outdoor party on property with a waterfeature sounds like a tragedy waiting to happen, anyway.
Tyke 2 years ago (edited)
Where I live one registered and qualified child minder can only look after up to 6 children under the age of 8 years old at any one time. The adults in this situation, regardless of being entitled, rude and disrespectful of OP, are being irresponsible to their own children by forcing this on OP. They are the grown ups, they are the parents only they and they alone are responsible. Also, where I live, I can legally leave my child with someone under 18... but if anything happens to my child, whether I'm present or not, I am legally responsible. The parents are absolute cockwombles
RP 2 years ago
Agreed. Where I live, it is 4-5 depending on age. Anything more is simply unsafe, especially in an outdoor environment.
Load More Replies...
TMoxraaar 2 years ago
Sounds like the time to explain that their parents lie about Santa, the Tooth Fairy, god, Easter bunny...
Temoni 2 years ago
Using teenage children as free babysitters because "it's a family thing" is so f****d up. If they don't know how to use a condom, they shouldn't bury others with their responsibility. Their children, their problem. Why are (some) people with children so blind d***s about it? Watch your own f*****g kids instead of stealing other people's leisure time.
AgedViolet 2 years ago
Oooh, the possibilities (BIG EVIL GRIN)! I can imagine myself saying, "Is it MY fault they can't use a condom?" But that's just me.
Load More Replies...
LK 2 years ago
A tip: find an adult ally, and stick to their side throughout the party. Let them tell the parents to look after their own kids. It is not acceptable for one person to be constantly given the task of looking after the children, and it's definitely not okay for one people to be required to look after so many little children. A good ratio is 0 - 2 years - one adult to three children. 2 - 3 years - one adult to four children. 4 - 8 years - one adult to six children.
AgedViolet 2 years ago
At a party, I would be that ally. I would have absolutely no reservations about telling a parent to either watch their own children, or cough up enough $$ to make it worth someone's while. The rates I'd set would make them change their tune in a heartbeat. If they gave me any lip about it, I would merely say, "We can discuss the matter with the police and CPS. After all, I AM a mandated reporter. Any questions?" Complete with the Spock raised eyebrow. Chances are, the discussion ends there.
Load More Replies...
Sonja 2 years ago (edited)
I was the quirky aunt and they learned pretty quickly not to leave me alone with kids. My weapons of choice were kid makeup, finger paint, tons of glue, glitter and coloured paper and at the third and last occasion a huge bag of cheap plastic kazoos. Each and every occasion was messier, louder and stickyer than the last. My SIL heard me talking about plastic recorders and police whistles to keep the kids happy and occupied and how to make your own bongos and decided then and there never to leave me alone with the kids ever again. The next party they hired a sitter that definitely wasn't me.
Valerie Lessard 2 years ago
Screw this noise! She's a child herself not free daycare to dump your kids at because you can't be bothered. How disgusting
René Studer 2 years ago
Here’s an idea for the next party. At the end of the day when everybody is getting ready to leave, quietly give every kid an energy drink and a list of swear words.
Carol Emory 2 years ago
My husband and I went to a wedding for one of his friends. A lot of his friends are former co-workers. One, in particular, I disliked because she always took the air that she was better than everyone else. She shows up to the wedding with her two kids in tow. But then comes the part where she ignores the kids in order to socialize. I watch in horror as her son puts his fingers on the bottom tier of the wedding cake and licks the frosting off of them. I point it out, she does nothing, her husband goes to stop him. Her solution to control the kids "Let's have the photographer take pictures of the kids outside." Uhm, that's not his job. His job is to photograph the married couple. That's what they paid him for. Why do people have kids if they aren't willing to parent.
Krystal Lutz 2 years ago (edited)
For 3 reasons that I can truly think of. 1. They got pregnant and feel morally obligated to keep the pregnancy and have the child. 2. The status of it. "Oh look at me I'm a parent I'm a responsible adult. 3. It was obviously the cool thing to do.
Load More Replies... Negatoris Wrecks 2 years ago
16 year old watching 8-10 kids under six at an outdoor party on property with a waterfeature sounds like a tragedy waiting to happen, anyway.
Tyke 2 years ago (edited)
Where I live one registered and qualified child minder can only look after up to 6 children under the age of 8 years old at any one time. The adults in this situation, regardless of being entitled, rude and disrespectful of OP, are being irresponsible to their own children by forcing this on OP. They are the grown ups, they are the parents only they and they alone are responsible. Also, where I live, I can legally leave my child with someone under 18... but if anything happens to my child, whether I'm present or not, I am legally responsible. The parents are absolute cockwombles
RP 2 years ago
Agreed. Where I live, it is 4-5 depending on age. Anything more is simply unsafe, especially in an outdoor environment.
Load More Replies... TMoxraaar 2 years ago
Sounds like the time to explain that their parents lie about Santa, the Tooth Fairy, god, Easter bunny...
Temoni 2 years ago
Using teenage children as free babysitters because "it's a family thing" is so f****d up. If they don't know how to use a condom, they shouldn't bury others with their responsibility. Their children, their problem. Why are (some) people with children so blind d***s about it? Watch your own f*****g kids instead of stealing other people's leisure time.
AgedViolet 2 years ago
Oooh, the possibilities (BIG EVIL GRIN)! I can imagine myself saying, "Is it MY fault they can't use a condom?" But that's just me.
Load More Replies... LK 2 years ago
A tip: find an adult ally, and stick to their side throughout the party. Let them tell the parents to look after their own kids. It is not acceptable for one person to be constantly given the task of looking after the children, and it's definitely not okay for one people to be required to look after so many little children. A good ratio is 0 - 2 years - one adult to three children. 2 - 3 years - one adult to four children. 4 - 8 years - one adult to six children.
AgedViolet 2 years ago
At a party, I would be that ally. I would have absolutely no reservations about telling a parent to either watch their own children, or cough up enough $$ to make it worth someone's while. The rates I'd set would make them change their tune in a heartbeat. If they gave me any lip about it, I would merely say, "We can discuss the matter with the police and CPS. After all, I AM a mandated reporter. Any questions?" Complete with the Spock raised eyebrow. Chances are, the discussion ends there.
Load More Replies... Sonja 2 years ago (edited)
I was the quirky aunt and they learned pretty quickly not to leave me alone with kids. My weapons of choice were kid makeup, finger paint, tons of glue, glitter and coloured paper and at the third and last occasion a huge bag of cheap plastic kazoos. Each and every occasion was messier, louder and stickyer than the last. My SIL heard me talking about plastic recorders and police whistles to keep the kids happy and occupied and how to make your own bongos and decided then and there never to leave me alone with the kids ever again. The next party they hired a sitter that definitely wasn't me.
Valerie Lessard 2 years ago
Screw this noise! She's a child herself not free daycare to dump your kids at because you can't be bothered. How disgusting
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