my husband and I have been married almost 10 years. his sisterbis very irresponsible especially when it comes to her child. she recently decided she wanted to take a trip for a once and a lifetime opportunity. I explained to my husband I do not want to watch her child because she always abuses that. will say she will be there in an hour and shows up three hours later. we have very important things to do the next day and I know she wont be home on time so I told him tell her be home by a certain time or we no longer helping. AITA because I want to set these boundaries after she has shown time and time again she cant be trusted with showing up at a certain time?
NTA…She’s unreliable and you have your own life to live. Boundaries are an important part of navigating adult life.
She has in the past when we have gone to drop her child off gone oh im not home I hope you dont mind watching him.
Of course not, setting boundaries is sensible.
NTA
NTA. You need to set that boundary and get your husband on board. Do not watch her child while she takes her trip. Tell her to make other arrangements, and emphasize this to your husband as well.
Just say no
NTA. Is the father involved? Grandparents? I’d be making some calls if the child isn’t picked up on time.
NTA
Of course you’re not TA. Grow a spine and tell her no. It’s not your problem if she can’t arrange other child care.
NTA. And your husband sucks for enabling her. You don’t grow up to be an irresponsible adult without people enabling you in your childhood.
I am a hard-ass and even my grandma knows I don’t fuck around. If I were in your shoes, I would tell her straight up that I’m calling CPS for abandonment next time she doesn’t show up to pick up her child on time. Not only that, I would actually call CPS if she doesn’t show up. I know that may seem extreme to some people. But I don’t waste my time and play games where I’m trying to remind people to be responsible. Some people only learn lessons the hard way.
No problem here….let husband handle watching HIS sister’s child.
Well, you already know how this is going to go based on past behavior, OP.
I suggest that you tell your husband that you’re personally done with babysitting for his sibling. Tell him if he still wants to make himself available to do that for her, then it needs to be understood that he will need to babysit at her home for the entire duration of time she’s gone.
If the two of you have children of your own, then stress that he can’t neglect his own children for sitting his sister’s kid. These requests also need to be well in advance and should never compromise you own plans unless it’s a life or death emergency.
While parents need breaks, she has to understand that she gave up the right to go on ‘one in a lifetime’ trips when she chose to have a child. Her child’s needs should come before her own wants. NTA.
NTA if people cannot respect your time then they don’t deserve to use it.
Nta there’s no excuse for lateness.
Honest question for parents here why does being back on time seem to be an issue for so many parents
NTA. You are not obligated to be her babysitter, especially when she doesn’t respect your schedule. If your husband doesn’t want to say no, then he can be the babysitter.