AITA for leaving curtly after my sister got home two hours later than the time she said she would be home and i would be done babysitting
AITA
Ah, the ol' babysitting bait-and-switch! Responsible Rachel and Fed-up Fred agree to watch the kiddos till 10 p.m., but the moms waltz in at midnight like Cinderella's rebel sisters. Our couple makes a swift exit, grabbing their keys and dignity, only to be guilt-tripped later.
When Favors Go South
Ah, babysitting—the quintessential favor you can't refuse without being branded as the family Grinch. But what happens when the unspoken "return by 10 p.m." rule turns into "whenever we feel like it?" Let's dive into the saucy saga of one couple, an agreement gone wrong, and the timeless debate of "Am I the Asshole?"
The Deal
So, our heroes—let's call them "Responsible Rachel" and "Fed-up Fred"—agree to babysit their niece and nephew for Rachel's sister and her friend. Simple enough, right? A couple of cartoons, maybe a Disney movie, and they can call it a night. Well, not so fast, folks!
10 p.m. Or Bust?
The initial deal was that the moms would be back by 10 p.m. As the clock tick-tocked toward 9:30 p.m., the moms send inquiring texts about the kids' bedtime. Our couple, expecting the moms' imminent return, express confusion. When pressed for an ETA, the moms deliver the cryptic message: "That was different."
Huh?
The Late Arrival
10 p.m. comes and goes. The clock strikes midnight, and in waltz the moms—cool as cucumbers, not a care in the world. So what's the appropriate reaction here? If you're Rachel and Fred, it's "grab the keys and make for the hills!"—or at least, the car.
Rachel’s sister then texts an apology, but the damage is done. Rachel tells her sister to Venmo them for the time. After all, time is money, even if you're watching Frozen 2 for the umpteenth time.
The Aftermath
The sister goes full ghost mode, ignoring calls and texts, and even involves Mom to add some extra guilt sprinkles to the drama sundae. The accusation? "Storming off rudely." Hold up. Who's the rude one here?
The Verdict
Let's get real. Rachel and Fred had an early morning. The agreed time was 10 p.m., not midnight. Ignoring the couple’s own needs and schedules was just bad form, no two ways about it. Even in a frat house, people know you clean up your own mess—or at least, show up when you say you will.
So, NTA—Not The Asshole. Sometimes, you've got to stand up for yourself, even if it means asking for payment for your time, especially when you've been left feeling like a doormat.
And let's not forget the most cardinal rule of all—never, ever make someone sit through the Frozen movies without proper compensation. In this case, respect for time would have sufficed.
So, the next time you find yourself in a sticky "favor" situation, remember: boundaries, my friends, boundaries. It might not prevent a family feud, but hey, at least you'll have your self-respect—and your early morning—intact.