Woman Turns Violent After Forced Babysitting Scheme Backfires, Police Intervention Looms

While in-law relationships are familial, there are certain boundaries you can’t cross. Acting entitled is never acceptable, and could cause tension and potentially irreparable damage. 

Take this story between a woman, her sister-in-law, and a miscommunication about babysitting duties. Their situation got so heated that the police were almost called. The mother-in-law also involved herself, stoking the flames and creating more division within the family. 

After some name-calling, threats, and slight property damage, the author took to the Two Hot Takes subreddit for answers. 

Acting entitled toward an in-law can immediately trigger family drama

A worried woman on the phone, discussing babysitting miscommunication related to in-laws.

Image credits: Blake Cheek / Unsplash (not the actual photo)

For this woman and her sister-in-law, the feud began because of a misunderstanding about babysitting duties

Text discussing babysitting miscommunication and police threat involving in-laws and a child.

Text about babysitting miscommunication with in-laws regarding kids and lifestyle choices.

Text block highlighting babysitting miscommunication between in-laws.

Text about babysitting miscommunication with mental health and migraines mentioned.

Woman looking frustrated, gesturing during a miscommunication about babysitting with in-laws.

Image credits: LightFieldStudios / Envato Elements (not the actual photo)

The SIL continued to overstep boundaries, worsening the situation

Text from an in-law babysitting miscommunication about watching a child.

Babysitting miscommunication text detailing a conversation about unexpected childcare responsibilities between in-laws.

Text discussing babysitting miscommunication involving in-laws, attitudes, and a child running to the game room.

Text discussing babysitting miscommunication and escalating conflict between in-laws.

Child sitting on a porch, appearing upset, representing babysitting miscommunication impacts.

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

Backed into a corner, the woman threatened to call the police

Text describing an in-law babysitting miscommunication with police threats.

Text about babysitting miscommunication involving in-laws and a police threat allegation.

Text about babysitting miscommunication and resulting upset between in-laws.

Text expressing a babysitting miscommunication and conflict with in-laws over threats.

Image credits: Valuable_Reading4149

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

Abandoning a child constitutes neglect, which may warrant a report to the authorities

The author’s threats to call the police were likely because the abandonment of a child is considered an act of neglect. According to the Child Welfare Information Gateway, this is “the failure of a parent or other person with responsibility” to provide a child’s basic needs, including supervision. 

Neglect also covers allowing the child to remain at home unattended “for a reasonable amount of time.”

Bay Area law firm Johnson & Johnson Law Offices adds that parents or legal guardians may be accused of neglect if they “fail to provide the minimum standard of care.” Any suspicions may warrant a report to child services. 

These definitions may apply since the author admitted to being “in no position” to watch over her nephew. 

However, the bigger issue seems to be the sister-in-law’s entitled behavior. She seemed to have thought it was acceptable to drop by unannounced and make demands. 

Experts like licensed psychologist Dr. Samantha Rodman Whiten (a.k.a. Dr. PsychMom) always advise setting boundaries. These can be physical, emotional, or both. 

In an article for her website, Dr. Whiten stressed the importance of consistency and consequences. 

“If you want to remain in the relationship, you are conceding your [in-law’s] inability to deal with an authentic interpersonal exchange while also protecting yourself from attack and subtly conveying your boundaries,” she noted. 

The author did set boundaries by stating she would never babysit her nephew again. While it may be harsh, it sends a strong message that she isn’t tolerating such behavior from her sister-in-law.

Most readers sided with the author, who provided more information in the comments

Reddit exchange about in-laws and babysitting miscommunication leading to family tension.

Babysitting miscommunication discussion on Reddit, highlighting lack of approval before child drop-off.

Reddit comment exchange about babysitting miscommunication involving in-laws and police threats.

Text conversation about a babysitting miscommunication with in-laws, mentioning a called-off workday due to a migraine.

Reddit comments discuss babysitting miscommunication involving in-laws, mentioning abandonment and father responsibility.

Text exchange about babysitting miscommunication between in-laws, highlighting unmet expectations and lack of communication.

Comment discussing babysitting miscommunication and alone time needs, criticizing sister-in-law actions.

Comment expressing anger about in-laws in a babysitting miscommunication.

User comment screenshot about in-law babysitting miscommunication.

Reddit comment criticizing a mom involved in a babysitting miscommunication with in-laws.

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