AITA For Forcing My Brother To Babysit?

Shirley Stafford Hours
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The kitchen was alive with the soft clink of coffee mugs and the faint gurgle of a baby monitor when a casual chat took a sharp turn. A 22-year-old new mom froze mid-stir as her teenage brother, all smirks and bravado, declared parenting a walk in the park. His flippant words, paired with a troubling attitude toward safe sex, lit a spark of resolve in her. Determined to ground his naivety, she handed him a crash course in reality: babysitting her five-month-old son.

This isn’t just a sibling squabble—it’s a tale of tough love, family dynamics, and the weight of responsibility. With her brother’s anxiety spiking and Reddit buzzing with opinions, the question looms: was she right to push him into the deep end of parenthood? The story unfolds with raw honesty, pulling readers into a relatable clash of youthful ignorance and hard-earned wisdom.

‘AITA For Forcing My Brother To Babysit?’

 I (22F) and my fiancè (22M) have a five month old son. My brother is 15M. About a week ago, I was in the kitchen making my fiancè a cup of coffee when he mentioned my navy blue satin silk robe. He asked where I got it. I told him I got it from a mother's group.

He said and I quote 'Wow, it so pretty, I should get my girlfriend pregnant so she can have one too, it's not like having a kid is hard' I just kind of looked at home for a minute, and called my fiancè into the kitchen and had my brother repeat himself. I decided in that moment and told him; ' you want to know what it's like to have kids, your babysitting this weekend since we have plans.

Thursday through Friday Morning.' It's not so I can push off my parental responsibility, it's so he's understands that being a parent isn't easy. Today is his first day and he has our mother's help. I've written out the babys entire schedule, he has all his toys, all the necessities like diapers, wipes, creams ect.

We will still be at home for emergencies, the baby just won't be in our room. But since the week has passed his anxiety has gone up because 'he doesn't know what to do' and 'can't handle a child.' I told him he should have thought about that before he said it. I also reminded him that he isn't going to b alone.

Joke or not, he's at that age where experimenting is going to be a thing, and pregnancy can be a possibility. Parenting isn't easy, so I'm giving him a sneak peek.. AITA for making him do this even though he says he isn't ready and is having anxiety?

*Edit: that is not the first comment he has made. He has already asked me and my fiancè about the effectiveness of The Plan B, how to properly pull out and we have given him condoms. He has already stated that he doesn't like the way they deal and his comments make me believe he isn't having safe s.

*Edit: my mom is completely on board with this because he already admitted that he isn't having safe s**. Condoms aren't comfortable and parenting seems easy. *Edit: I had my first pregnancy scare at 15, and my parents did the exact same thing to me. I did clear it with my mom before we chose this.

*Edit: He has helped change, feed, okay and put the baby down for naps and bedtime. He still thinks it's easy. *CLARIFY: we are going to be gone a few hours today, and then will be home the rest of the weekend. It won't be exclusively the entire weekend.

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This sibling showdown highlights the tricky balance of teaching responsibility without overwhelming a teen. The sister’s decision to make her brother babysit stems from a protective instinct, but it’s a bold move that could either enlighten or stress him out. According to Dr. John Gottman, a renowned family psychologist, “Consequences tied to real-world experiences can shape behavior effectively, especially for teens testing boundaries” (Gottman Institute). Here, the sister uses babysitting as a tangible lesson, aiming to correct her brother’s cavalier attitude toward parenting and unprotected sex.

The brother’s comments about condoms and Plan B reveal a risky mindset, common among teens navigating sexual curiosity. A 2021 CDC report notes that 43% of sexually active high school students didn’t use condoms consistently, raising concerns about teen pregnancy and STDs (CDC). His dismissal of parenting as “easy” reflects a broader societal glamorization of parenthood, often fueled by social media’s curated snapshots.

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Dr. Gottman’s research emphasizes that teens learn best when actions have clear consequences. The sister’s approach, though blunt, mirrors this by exposing her brother to the relentless demands of childcare—diapers, schedules, and all. While his anxiety is real, the controlled setting (with mom nearby) ensures he’s supported, not abandoned. This hands-on lesson could reframe his perspective, making him more cautious about unprotected sex.

For solutions, open communication is key. The sister should follow up with a candid talk about STDs and consent, perhaps involving a trusted adult or counselor. Resources like Planned Parenthood offer teen-focused education on safe sex (Planned Parenthood). By combining this experience with honest dialogue, she can guide her brother toward responsibility without judgment, fostering growth while keeping the family bond intact.

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Here’s the feedback from the Reddit community:

The Reddit crew dove into this family saga with gusto, tossing out opinions like confetti at a baby shower. From cheers for the sister’s tough love to warnings about STDs, the comments are a spicy mix of support and reality checks. Here’s the unfiltered scoop from the crowd, brimming with wit and a touchaccounting for the brother’s lesson:

MacaroonHead5187 − NTA. No offense to everybody who is saying the YTA but at 15 you know exactly what you’re saying and at that age there are consequences to your actions. There should be no jokes about a baby because if you were thinking about it it might actually happen and I think you taught him a very valuable lesson..

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Sometimes kids can only learn through example or in this case practical applications. Also I have this age difference between my sister and myself and I could see my sister so doing this if I acted or said anything like that he’ll I could see my mother doing this.

I-am-here-what-next − NTA based on the edit. Kids are dumb and if he's already had conversations leading down the not safe s** path or general ignorance, then teaching him this lesson will be beneficial for him.

KonKami123 − I don't know how he said it, probably joking but either way I think teaching him how difficult to look after a child can be will definitely make him more careful around using protection. NTA - I'd say you done a good thing as his sister to ensure he is safe.

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Otherwise_Window − NTA, but you need to talk to him about STDs. Antibiotic-resistant gonorrhea is a thing now and HIV is still kicking around. That med regime isn't fun, isn't forgiving, and isn't without side effects.

Make sure you include pictures of the really gross ones. Unprotected s** is not an acceptable life choice outside of stable and exclusive relationships with people who've been tested since their last partners.

Radiant_Cheek_2026 − NTA! Perfect learning experience and since your mom backs you up I say go for it. Kids today thing having a baby is so easy and. Glamorous. Time for a dang relality check. Hopefully it leads to one less teen pregnancy

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Ihazacranki − NTA. I over heard my daughter and her friends talking about a 'pregnancy pact' when she was about that age. Like, all of them pledging to get pregnant by the end of 10th grade. I was like WTF? My friend lived in our apartment complex and had just had her 3rd child. She needed a babysitter for 2 weeks.

I voluntold my daughter she'd be babysitting. A 4 yo a 2 yo and a new born. Now, I was 2 doors down and spent a lot of time there too so my daughter wasn't alone, but she had to figure it all out. By the end of the 2 week period, my daughter was adamant she didn't want to be pregnant and have a kid; it was too hard.

My husband and mom told me I was an a**hole for doing that to her. I responded 'better an a**hole giving her a crash course in reality than her becoming a teen mom because of some stupid pact'.. Babies aren't toys that you can put down when you're tired of playing with them.. No, your brother needs a reality check or he'll get some poor girl pregnant for sure.

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Accomplished-Cheek59 − NTA. If your brother is making bad decisions based on an inaccurate perception, then correct that perception. Your brother will never be alone, you’re not shirking your responsibilities. I would also suggest talking to his girlfriends parents (if it is safe to do so).

You can’t be sure that he isn’t coercing her to have unsafe s**, or that she is aware of the lack of protection during s**. Men have removed condoms secretly before. I think you’re doing the right thing by making him face the reality of being a parent. A lot of young men have no idea of what it means to be a parent, and hand off the responsibilities to the mother once the baby arrives. Don’t let him do that.

RutabagaPhysical9238 − NTA. Idk why so many YTAs. He doesn’t need a baby that young and his girlfriend should be there to help with this as she is another participant in unsafe s**

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[Reddit User] − Nothing like this lesson for birth control. NTA

MischievousBish − NTA. I was going to say YTA but I read your edits, so I went with NTA. It would be educational for your brother to see how hard to take care of an infant when he thought it's too easy. He needs to rethink before he say how easy to handle the baby.

I do babysit my one year old grandson since he was 3-4 months old while his parents are at work. It's NOT easy. It won't be even that easy when his sibling arrives in the Fall, yikes. But, sure, it's lot of work but very rewarding though.

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These Redditors brought their A-game, praising the sister’s wake-up call or urging her to double down on safe-sex talks. But do their fiery takes capture the full picture, or are they just fueling the drama?

This tale of sibling lessons and baby bottles shows how far family will go to protect one another—even if it means a diaper-filled reality check. The sister’s gamble could be a game-changer for her brother, but it’s sparked a debate about tough love versus teen anxiety. Balancing guidance with independence is never easy, especially when risky attitudes are at play. What would you do if you were in her shoes, trying to steer a teen toward responsibility?

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