Teen Babysits For A Few Hours, Sis Turns It Into Four Days Of Silence, Then Blames Her For Leaving

Ever babysat and felt like you were suddenly trapped in a real-life survival show? You start off with snacks and cartoons, but by day three, you’re Googling “how to raise children” and checking the news for mysterious disappearances. Welcome to the unexpected situation that unfolded for one teenager who thought she was doing her sister a quick favor.

Today’s Original Poster (OP) agreed to babysit for “a few hours” and ended up parenting for four days straight, completely ghosted by her sister—and when her sister finally resurfaced, the reaction wasn’t exactly grateful hugs and apologies.

More info: Reddit

Imagine agreeing to help a family member, only to have that favor turn into an overwhelming and exhausting experience

18-year-old woman caring for two kids in a bright room, playing with them while lying on a carpeted floor.

Image credits: EyeEm / Freepik (not the actual photo)

The author reluctantly agreed to babysit her sister’s two children while she went out, but ended up being left alone with them for four days

18-year-old babysits sister’s two kids for four days after sister leaves during lunch, calling it no big deal.

Young sister left 18YO with two kids for four days, struggling with babysitting and exam prep anxiety.

Text about sister promises to return after lunch but leaves 18YO with two kids for four days, causing concern.

Image credits: OneSorryIndividuaLL

Young woman stressed on phone while sitting on floor near laptop, reflecting challenges of caring for kids alone.

Image credits: benzoix / Freepik (not the actual photo)

Despite repeated attempts to contact her, the sister ignored her calls as she was out partying instead

Text excerpt describing a sister leaving an 18-year-old with two kids for days, causing panic attacks.

Text message describing frustration after being told to be quiet, packing up, and leaving on a train.

Image credits: OneSorryIndividuaLL

Three women smiling and chatting on a porch highlighting sister promises to return and leaving 18YO with kids for days

Image credits: freepik / Freepik (not the actual photo)

After an emotional breakdown, her sister returned and saw it as no big deal before guilt-tripping her to babysit for her again

Text excerpt explaining sister promising to return after lunch and leaving 18-year-old with two kids for four days.

Text image showing a personal reflection on feeling guilty and needing to protect oneself in a difficult family situation.

Screenshot of text discussing someone’s mom believing they should have been patient after an appointment, related to sister leaving 18YO with kids.

Image credits: OneSorryIndividuaLL

The author left the house only for her sister and mother to criticize her for not fulfilling her promise of babysitting the children

The OP agreed to help her single mom sister out by watching her two children—one a toddler, and the other a newborn. Despite lacking experience and needing to prep for her exams, she was guilt-tripped into saying yes to babysit for only a few hours. However, her sister didn’t return for four whole days, nor did she answer her phone.

The OP was so alarmed to the extent that she even called local hospitals in case something tragic had happened. For four full days, she managed the toddler and newborn alone, battling sleep deprivation, panic attacks, and rising anxiety.

By the time her sister finally returned, she admitted that she lost track of time at a party, and that the OP shouldn’t be dramatic. She offered no apologies nor gratitude. And when she tried to talk about the panic she went through, her sister told her to shut up because she was trying to sleep.

She packed up her things and left, but it didn’t end there because while she was on the train heading home, her sister called to ask why she would leave before a hospital appointment she had on Saturday. The sister insisted the teen had promised to babysit for that, too. Now facing guilt and backlash from both her sister and her mom, she’s left wondering if she overreacted.

To better understand the emotional dynamics at play in this story, Bored Panda spoke with clinical psychologist Christabell Madondo. According to her, situations like this aren’t just isolated acts of selfishness, rather they often reflect deeper, toxic family patterns.

“It’s fairly common for young family members to be guilted into adult responsibilities,” she shared, pointing to a phenomenon known as parentification. She went further to explain that this occurs when children are expected to take on caregiving or emotional roles that should fall to adults.

Young woman in pink shirt on phone, looking frustrated while caring for two kids at home alone for days

Image credits: freepik / Freepik (not the actual photo)

She highlighted examples like mediating family conflict, providing emotional support, or, in OP’s case, raising younger siblings. While it may not always seem abusive on the surface, she stated, “This pressure places an unfair emotional and practical burden on the child.”

We also asked Madondo how someone could tell if their family dynamics were crossing into emotionally toxic territory, to which she noted that one major red flag is when love and approval feel conditional.

“Toxic dynamics often involve guilt-tripping, emotional invalidation, or denial of your reality,” she said, adding that boundaries are frequently ignored in these settings. Over time, this kind of environment can distort a person’s self-worth and their ability to assert needs without shame.

Given that, we then followed up by asking how someone—especially a young adult—can enforce boundaries with older family members. Madondo advised starting with clear, calm communication.

“Clearly express how their actions affect you to assert your needs without overexplaining,” she suggested. While backlash or guilt-tripping is likely, consistency is key. “Boundaries gain respect over time.”

She also emphasized the importance of outside support, recommending that young people lean on trusted friends, mentors, or therapists while navigating this kind of emotional pushback.

Netizens were upset and concerned, with nearly everyone agreeing that the sister’s actions constituted serious neglect. They called the situation “abandonment” and insisted that the OP should never agree to babysit again. There was also strong criticism of the mother for enabling the sister’s behavior and downplaying the severity of the situation.

What do you think about this situation? Was walking away the right move, or should she have stayed one more day? We would love to know your thoughts!

Netizens rallied around her and insisted she had every right to leave and prioritize her own well-being and studies—not be guilt-tripped into parental responsibilities

Screenshot of a Reddit comment criticizing a sister leaving her 18-year-old sibling to care for two kids for days.

Comment discussing sister abandoning 18-year-old with two kids for four days, calling it no big deal.

Screenshot of a forum comment discussing a sister leaving 18YO with two kids for four days, considering it no big deal.

Comment discussing forgiveness after sister leaves 18-year-old with two kids for four days without support.

Comment discussing sister who left 18YO with two kids for four days, calling it no big deal.

Comment expressing frustration about a sister leaving an 18-year-old with two kids for four days without contact.

Comment advising not to accept sister leaving 18YO with two kids for days and suggesting calling social services for safety.

Screenshot of a Reddit comment discussing an 18-year-old left with two kids for days by sister, highlighting family and responsibility issues.

Screenshot of a Reddit comment discussing anger and neglect involving an 18-year-old caring for two kids after sister’s broken promise.

Screenshot of a Reddit comment discussing sister leaving 18-year-old with two kids for four days, calling it no big deal.

Screenshot of a Reddit comment warning about difficulties in watching kids and enabling problematic behavior in family conflicts.

Text post discussing sister leaving 18-year-old with two kids for four days, calling it no big deal.

Screenshot of a Reddit comment discussing concerns about a sister leaving 18-year-old with two kids for several days.

Comment discussing sister promises and abandonment of her children, highlighting unfair responsibility on 18-year-old sibling.

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