Bored Panda works better on our iPhone app
Continue in app Continue in browser

Add post form topAdd Post
Tooltip close

The Bored Panda iOS app is live! Fight boredom with iPhones and iPads here.

“She Burst Into Tears And Begged Me To Help”: Woman Threatens To Call CPS On Sister-In-Law
128

“She Burst Into Tears And Begged Me To Help”: Woman Threatens To Call CPS On Sister-In-Law

ADVERTISEMENT

Babysitting can be a tough job. You always have to think on your feet, have quite a bit of an energy reserve, and have enough patience to manage two people’s emotions: your own and the child’s you’re looking after.

That is why no one wants this task thrust upon them without their consent. And if that happens, there’s bound to be conflict there.

This is what happened in the story below. The woman kept getting the responsibility of taking care of a small child pushed onto her plate without warning. That’s until she got sick and tired of it. Scroll down to see what she did and if the Am I the [Jerk] community agreed with it.

RELATED:

    Taking care of a child is not a walk in the park. It can be demanding on both physical and emotional levels

    Image credits: Allan Mas (not the actual photo)

    That is why thrusting childcare responsibilities on other people without their consent is a bold move that is bound to backfire. This is exactly what happened in this situation

    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT

    Image credits: Gustavo Fring (not the actual photo)

    ADVERTISEMENT

    Image credits: Keira Burton (not the actual photo)

    Image credits: childabandonment

    Image credits: fauxels (not the actual photo)

    This story seems to be the perfect example of standing up for yourself when your boundaries are being crossed. At first, the author tried to solve the situation through conversation. She talked it out a few times and made her position known. She even asked her half-brother for support in communicating her needs.

    ADVERTISEMENT

    Then, when it didn’t work, she moved on to handling it more head-on and established what consequences will follow if her boundaries are not respected. In other words, the perfect response to someone who will not take no for an answer.

    Image credits: Monstera Production(not the actual photo)

    When it comes to dealing with people that simply have to have their way, there are a few tips that professionals give to help you manage their requests. One is to say “no” firmly and kindly. Don’t even get into explaining why you said no—some might use it as a chance to argue your decision. Just say it and stick with it.

    If they respond to your answer by voicing negative feelings, you can acknowledge them. Say “I know you are in a tough spot, but there is nothing I can do to help you.” If the persuasion persists, it is time for you to voice your feelings. Say that their requests are making you uncomfortable and you would like to change the topic of conversation. If that doesn’t work, you might need to consider limiting your contact with that person.

    ADVERTISEMENT

    People in the comments asked for a few clarifications regarding the situation

    Many agreed the woman did the right thing by complaining about the behavior

    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    Share on Facebook
    Agne Steponaityte

    Agne Steponaityte

    Writer, Community member

    Read more »

    Agne Steponaityte is a writer at Bored Panda. After getting a BA Film Production degree in England, Agne moved around Europe living and writing in Lithuania, Belgium, and Portugal. Now, together with her partner and daughter, she is residing in Munich, Germany. Her favourite book is East of Eden, favourite movie – There Will Be Blood, favourite show – Succession.

    Read less »
    Agne Steponaityte

    Agne Steponaityte

    Writer, Community member

    Agne Steponaityte is a writer at Bored Panda. After getting a BA Film Production degree in England, Agne moved around Europe living and writing in Lithuania, Belgium, and Portugal. Now, together with her partner and daughter, she is residing in Munich, Germany. Her favourite book is East of Eden, favourite movie – There Will Be Blood, favourite show – Succession.

    Viktorija Ošikaitė

    Viktorija Ošikaitė

    Author, BoredPanda staff

    Read more »

    I'm a visual editor here at Bored Panda and I enjoy a good laugh. My work ranges from serious topics related to toxic work environments and relationship difficulties to humorous articles about online shopping fails and introvert memes. When I'm not at my work desk, checking if every single pixel is in the right place, I usually spend my free time playing board games, taking pictures, and watching documentaries

    Read less »

    Viktorija Ošikaitė

    Viktorija Ošikaitė

    Author, BoredPanda staff

    I'm a visual editor here at Bored Panda and I enjoy a good laugh. My work ranges from serious topics related to toxic work environments and relationship difficulties to humorous articles about online shopping fails and introvert memes. When I'm not at my work desk, checking if every single pixel is in the right place, I usually spend my free time playing board games, taking pictures, and watching documentaries

    What do you think ?
    Add photo comments
    POST
    Alexandra
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I so hope I'm wrong, but considering that it is her daughter and not her and Enzo's child, I think that she sees her daughter as a hindrance in her life and wants to see as little as possible of her.

    Zoe Vokes
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Or she can’t cope with Alice and the new baby and is taking the opportunity to get rid of Alice a couple of times a week rather than spend time with her. If OP doesn’t call the CPS then Enzo needs to actually sit down with her and get her to talk about why she keeps abandoning her daughter. Maybe she needs help, either a nanny or a therapist but it seems like he’s not concerned enough about why she’s doing this.

    Load More Replies...
    Trillian
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    She just dumps the poor kid in the hallway and leaves? And the kid's father knows about it and does nothing? Hell yes she should have called CPS a long time ago.

    madbakes
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The stepdad is OP's brother. The bio father of Alice is not in the picture.

    Load More Replies...
    DarkViolet
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    NTA. Steph is a neglectful parent; Enzo is enabling her. OP has the right idea in calling the police the next time. Unless they and CPS get involved, it's only a matter of time before this story will have a tragic ending.

    Load More Comments
    Alexandra
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I so hope I'm wrong, but considering that it is her daughter and not her and Enzo's child, I think that she sees her daughter as a hindrance in her life and wants to see as little as possible of her.

    Zoe Vokes
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Or she can’t cope with Alice and the new baby and is taking the opportunity to get rid of Alice a couple of times a week rather than spend time with her. If OP doesn’t call the CPS then Enzo needs to actually sit down with her and get her to talk about why she keeps abandoning her daughter. Maybe she needs help, either a nanny or a therapist but it seems like he’s not concerned enough about why she’s doing this.

    Load More Replies...
    Trillian
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    She just dumps the poor kid in the hallway and leaves? And the kid's father knows about it and does nothing? Hell yes she should have called CPS a long time ago.

    madbakes
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The stepdad is OP's brother. The bio father of Alice is not in the picture.

    Load More Replies...
    DarkViolet
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    NTA. Steph is a neglectful parent; Enzo is enabling her. OP has the right idea in calling the police the next time. Unless they and CPS get involved, it's only a matter of time before this story will have a tragic ending.

    Load More Comments
    You May Like
    Related on Bored Panda
    Related on Bored Panda
    Trending on Bored Panda
    Also on Bored Panda