AITA for telling my sister I would have kept the door closed on her too when she looked for me to side with her against mom?
In a quiet suburb, a family’s old wounds tore open when a sister demanded her mother babysit her father’s children from an affair. Picture a tense doorstep scene: a young woman with two kids, knocking in vain as her mother stays silent inside. The sting of betrayal from years past hung heavy, fueling a fight that’s now split siblings.
The original poster (OP) found themselves caught in their sister’s crusade to rally against their mom, but their blunt loyalty to her sparked a fiery clash. This isn’t just about babysitting—it’s about boundaries, betrayal, and where family ties fray. Readers can’t help but wonder: was the OP’s stance fair, or did it pour salt on an already raw wound? Let’s dive into this tangled family drama.
‘AITA for telling my sister I would have kept the door closed on her too when she looked for me to side with her against mom?’
This family feud is a messy knot of hurt and boundaries, with the OP’s sister pushing a burden no one signed up for. The OP’s support for their mom’s refusal to babysit reflects a deep loyalty rooted in their father’s infidelity, while the sister’s insistence ignores the emotional weight of that betrayal.
The sister’s attempt to drop off the kids without consent was a bold overstep. The OP’s mom set clear boundaries years ago, agreeing only to civility, not caregiving. According to Psychology Today, 60% of people struggle to forgive infidelity, and for many, like the OP’s mom, reminders like affair children can reopen wounds. The sister’s expectation that her mom should step up dismisses this trauma.
Dr. Janis Spring, a family therapist, notes, “Boundaries after infidelity are crucial for healing” . Here, the mom’s closed door was her line in the sand, and the OP’s agreement aligns with respecting her pain. The sister’s hospital excuse doesn’t justify ignoring consent—she could’ve sought other sitters.
For solutions, the sister should acknowledge her mom’s limits and explore alternative childcare options, like friends or services. The OP can keep supporting their mom while gently urging their sister to respect boundaries. Open dialogue, perhaps with a mediator, could ease tensions. Empathy and clear communication are key to mending this family rift, so consider a calm talk to rebuild trust.
Here’s the comments of Reddit users:
The Reddit crowd jumped into this family drama like it was a soap opera, dishing out support and shade with equal gusto. It was like a virtual family reunion where everyone had a bone to pick. Here’s the unfiltered take from the community:
Redditors mostly backed the OP, slamming the sister’s insensitivity while a few questioned her hospital urgency. Some threw in spicy jabs at the father’s role, but the consensus leaned toward respecting the mom’s boundaries. Do these fiery takes capture the full story, or are they just fanning the flames?
This family saga shows how past betrayals can ripple into present conflicts. The OP’s unwavering support for their mom’s boundaries clashed with their sister’s pushy expectations, leaving a family divided. Whether you side with the OP’s loyalty or see the sister’s plea as a cry for help, it’s a reminder that empathy matters in family ties. What would you do if asked to bridge a family divide like this? Share your thoughts—have you ever had to draw a hard line with family?
