Teenager Has Had It With Her Family Members Forcing Her To Take Care Of Her Niece Without Proper Compensation
Parents should solely be responsible for caring for their babies. If they need to work, then it's only proper that they pay for child care.
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They shouldn't force family members or relatives, especially their teenage sister, to do this work for them. If they said no, then parents need to look for a babysitter.
Sadly, some parents cannot afford childcare and have no other choice but to rely on family. In this case, the parents should at least compensate using non-monetary methods.
The baby's parents can offer to pay utility bills, do a few errands for their family members, or pay for weekly groceries. Maybe they can even get gift vouchers for these family members.
But above all, parents should appreciate their family members for doing this for them. Thanking them goes a long way and strengthens bonds between families.
A teenager recently aired her grievances in the "Am I The A**hole?" (AITA) subreddit. According to the youngster, her family members are taking advantage of her by forcing her to care for her teenage sister's newborn baby.
And you know what makes the situation unfair? It's the fact that her mother gets paid to care for the baby while the original poster (OP) doesn't.
She has had enough and finally said "no," stating that she didn't sign up to take care of the baby and it's not her responsibility.
The OP is a teenager who gets forced to help care for her niece who's still a baby.
![The OP is a teenager who gets forced to help care for her niece who's still a baby.](https://static.dailysquared.com/posts/a68b85941ee43d4d9ff7d6ae1ea72736_23002_700.jpg)
The mother of the baby (the OP's sister) got pregnant at an early age. Sadly, the dad isn't doing his share of responsibilities.
To make things worse, this family expects the OP to care for her niece even if she's struggling with mental health.
![The mother of the baby (the OP's sister) got pregnant at an early age. Sadly, the dad isn't doing his share of responsibilities.](https://static.dailysquared.com/posts/1e703e4399ea7e60ccd58267ac39af3f_23002_700.jpg)
The OP's mom forces her to do stuff she isn't responsible for. She's clearly taking advantage of her daughter while she gets compensated for babysitting.
![The OP's mom forces her to do stuff she isn't responsible for. She's clearly taking advantage of her daughter while she gets compensated for babysitting.](https://static.dailysquared.com/posts/6da06b2acb27a615742aaf2e79915b05_23002_700.jpg)
Redditors sided with the OP, telling the teenager that she should focus on her self an not on her niece.
![Redditors sided with the OP, telling the teenager that she should focus on her self an not on her niece.](https://static.dailysquared.com/posts/ef6b050fbffd43a884b7a8b848b2705d_23002_700.jpg)
Although it's an overwhelming situation for the OP's sister, it doesn't mean that she can force the OP to babysit for her.
![Although it's an overwhelming situation for the OP's sister, it doesn't mean that she can force the OP to babysit for her.](https://static.dailysquared.com/posts/525f9565678d14ad3f5a86cec733938d_23002_700.jpg)
The OP needs to stick to her guns and keep saying no.
Her mom is clearly taking advantage of her. The mom gets all the money while the OP does the work.
![The OP needs to stick to her guns and keep saying no.](https://static.dailysquared.com/posts/54f746a180d7db1e4841c80bfb43f874_23002_700.jpg)
The OP was never at fault in this situation.
And as one Redditor pointed out, this is a common occurrence.
![The OP was never at fault in this situation.](https://static.dailysquared.com/posts/bf1c3c4ff4ddc4013ee8dcee8916e203_23002_700.jpg)
There's nothing wrong with the OP prioritizing herself over caring for her niece. She is a teenager with a mental health issue to boot.
![There's nothing wrong with the OP prioritizing herself over caring for her niece. She is a teenager with a mental health issue to boot.](https://static.dailysquared.com/posts/5b31adbee7711a54a74d39ae267b9e5a_23002_700.jpg)
What the OP has done is already enough. She needs to take care of herself moving forward.
![What the OP has done is already enough. She needs to take care of herself moving forward.](https://static.dailysquared.com/posts/6ed11e7dc83d54b3ee8da35e94df1381_23002_700.jpg)
An excellent suggestion from a user: find a part-time job.
![An excellent suggestion from a user: find a part-time job.](https://static.dailysquared.com/posts/87fc1b40cf9b7f43513aa415046efbcd_23002_700.jpg)
The mom's breaks shouldn't go beyond 30 minutes. She doesn't deserve the pay, otherwise.
![The mom's breaks shouldn't go beyond 30 minutes. She doesn't deserve the pay, otherwise.](https://static.dailysquared.com/posts/a5f0656ee0034c727c6ce7dbea994d86_23002_700.jpg)
The OP is a teenager, so her responsibility is toward her schoolwork and her mental health. Now that she has refused, she needs to stick to her guns and not allow her family members to go beyond her boundaries.
Having a part-time job might also help with the situation. This way, she will get paid for her efforts.