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“Family Comes First”: Guy Chooses To Go To Party Instead Of Waiting For Sister To Pick Up Her Son
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“Family Comes First”: Guy Chooses To Go To Party Instead Of Waiting For Sister To Pick Up Her Son

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Familial bonds will always be stronger than any relationships you’ll have. Therefore, you must try your best to be there for each other in times of need, regardless of significance.

Of course, some people would milk it for all it’s worth, like the woman in today’s story. Not only did she accuse her brother of “abandoning” her son when she was the one who arrived hours late, but she also expected him to drop all prior commitments to adjust to her schedule. 

The man was conflicted by what happened and turned to the AITAH Reddit community for answers. 

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Some relatives can feel entitled because they are family

Image credits: Yashik7777/Envato (not the actual photo)

A man had to leave his nephew with a family friend because her sister/the child’s mother was hours late to pick up the child

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Image credits: recstockfootage/Envato (not the actual photo)

The sister then accused him of “abandoning” the child while expecting him to drop all his prior commitments

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Image credits: Working_Raccoon417

There is such a thing as genetic relational entitlement

Image credits: JR-50/Envato (not the actual photo)

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You’ve likely read our multiple stories about entitlement among family members. Experts call it genetic relational entitlement. 

Trauma psychotherapist Amanda Ann Gregory gave examples: A person believes they are owed a relationship or contact because of the genetic connection. Example two is when someone feels entitled to time, money, communication, or services because of the blood relation. 

Gregory also points out that the deeper the connection, the greater the sense of entitlement one tends to feel. In this story, the woman may feel more entitled because of the sibling relationship. 

We all know the saying, “Blood is thicker than water.” At a young age, we’ve heard the saying, “Family must come first.” According to Gregory, this idea has given people the expectation that relatives must always be available to help or do favors. 

“Many people have been taught to place those with similar genetics on a relational pedestal and to expect that others will do the same for them,” she stated. 

The woman completely disregarded her brother’s time without saying why she was running late. She also expected him to sacrifice his commitments because family “must come first.” 

Setting consequences is necessary when drawing boundaries when it comes to sibling entitlement

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Image credits:  Prostock-studio/Envato (not the actual photo)

No one wants family drama, and setting boundaries may be necessary when dealing with an entitled sibling. However, drawing that line isn’t enough. Setting consequences is also essential, according to licensed counselor Dr. Elizabeth Fedrick

As she told Business Insider, boundaries without consequences are “merely a suggestion” of how we want others to treat us. She adds that consequences are more about protecting yourself if the sibling crosses the line again. 

Dr. Fedrick also advises clarifying what you don’t feel comfortable about and what you want to see change. Being firm about your statements is likewise necessary when delivering the message. 

It may also help to challenge the beliefs about family dynamics that society has ingrained in us. According to Dr. Fedrick, it’s more about recognizing that being a sibling does not entitle anyone to the right to inflict physical, emotional, or psychological pain. 

The woman could have shown more consideration for her brother’s commitments. It was the least she could have done to show appreciation for the favor he did. 

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What do you think? Was the man wrong for leaving the child with a family friend to attend to his commitment?

Many commenters saw nothing wrong with what the author did

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Those who faulted him expected him to cancel his plan because it was “just a party”

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Miguel Ordoñez

Miguel Ordoñez

Writer, BoredPanda staff

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Struggling writer by day. Frustrated jazz drummer by night. Space Cowboy 24/7.

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Miguel Ordoñez

Miguel Ordoñez

Writer, BoredPanda staff

Struggling writer by day. Frustrated jazz drummer by night. Space Cowboy 24/7.

Ilona Baliūnaitė

Ilona Baliūnaitė

Author, BoredPanda staff

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I'm a Visual Editor at Bored Panda since 2017. I've searched through a multitude of images to create over 2000 diverse posts on a wide range of topics. I love memes, funny, and cute stuff, but I'm also into social issues topics. Despite my background in communication, my heart belongs to visual media, especially photography. When I'm not at my desk, you're likely to find me in the streets with my camera, checking out cool exhibitions, watching a movie at the cinema or just chilling with a coffee in a cozy place

Read less »

Ilona Baliūnaitė

Ilona Baliūnaitė

Author, BoredPanda staff

I'm a Visual Editor at Bored Panda since 2017. I've searched through a multitude of images to create over 2000 diverse posts on a wide range of topics. I love memes, funny, and cute stuff, but I'm also into social issues topics. Despite my background in communication, my heart belongs to visual media, especially photography. When I'm not at my desk, you're likely to find me in the streets with my camera, checking out cool exhibitions, watching a movie at the cinema or just chilling with a coffee in a cozy place

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SheamusFanFrom1987
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I hope all these YTA fuggnuts never get invited to parties or anything, period! OP did his part but his entitled dingbucket excuse of a sister thought being blood meant entitlement to people's time. Big Dean Ambrose-NOPE there, woman. You were supposed to pick the kid up in the morning, do that! Nobody has to, and should sacrifice their plans for you just because of blood. Buck up or potentially lose a helping hand. SMH!!!

Cee Cee
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Surely she's the one who abandoned her child given she failed to pick him up as previously arranged.

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SheamusFanFrom1987
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I hope all these YTA fuggnuts never get invited to parties or anything, period! OP did his part but his entitled dingbucket excuse of a sister thought being blood meant entitlement to people's time. Big Dean Ambrose-NOPE there, woman. You were supposed to pick the kid up in the morning, do that! Nobody has to, and should sacrifice their plans for you just because of blood. Buck up or potentially lose a helping hand. SMH!!!

Cee Cee
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Surely she's the one who abandoned her child given she failed to pick him up as previously arranged.

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