AITA For Fake Abandoning My Cousin and Going to Disneyland?
Imagine a sunny morning, a teenage girl primping for a dream day at Disneyland, the scent of popcorn and rollercoaster thrills calling her name. Then, a phone rings—bam! Her uncle and aunt bolt, dumping their 3-year-old on her without a yes, expecting her to babysit. Our clever 16-year-old redditor, fed up with family pressure, pulls a fast one, faking an exit to force their return. A backyard hideout, a Disneyland dash, and furious relatives later, she’s got us buzzing: genius move or risky stunt? Buckle up for this wild ride!
Living with parents, uncle, aunt, and a tiny cousin, our heroine juggles school and a movie theater gig. Her family leans on sexist vibes, insisting childcare’s her “duty” as a girl. She’s pushed back, but this time, they ambushed her mid-shower, ignoring her Disneyland plans. Refusing to cave, she texted a faux getaway, hid, and slipped off—cousin safe, family fuming. Was her sneaky escape a win, or too far? Let’s roll into this drama!
‘AITA For Fake Abandoning My Cousin and Going to Disneyland?’
![I [16F] live with my parents, my uncle, my aunt, and my cousin [3F]. My uncle and aunt keep wanting me to spend long portions of my life watching my little cousin. My parents think its my duty to help out, and it comes from their sexist beliefs that since I'm a girl I must do this childcare.](https://en.aubtu.biz/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/294890ct-01.png)
Talk about a rollercoaster of family drama! Our redditor, a 16-year-old, faced a surprise childcare ambush, clashing with her uncle and aunt’s last-minute dump-and-dash. She cleverly faked leaving to force their return, ensuring her cousin’s safety, but the fallout’s fiery. It’s a tangle of boundaries, responsibility, and teenage ingenuity—family expectations crashed hard against her right to a life.
Parenting and family dynamics demand clear roles. Expert Dr. Laura Markham, in a 2024 Parenting article, says, “Children aren’t free labor—parents must secure consent for childcare, especially from teens with busy lives” (see Parenting). The aunt and uncle’s move—leaving a 3-year-old without a confirmed sitter—risked safety and ignored her plans. Her fake-out, while crafty, kept the child secure, showing more maturity than the adults.
This ties to a bigger issue: teen autonomy versus family duty. A 2023 Child Trends study notes 70% of teens feel over-pressured by family tasks, often gendered (see Child Trends). Sexist “girl’s work” vibes fueled this mess—communication collapsed when no one listened to her “no.” Her parents’ and grandparents’ refusal to step in left her cornered.
Dr. Markham advises, “Set clear boundaries—parents, ask and respect a teen’s schedule.” For our redditor, calmly state your limits: school, work, and fun come first. Adults should hire sitters or adjust. If this persists, a family meeting or trusted ally could help.
Here’s what the community had to contribute:
Here are some hot takes from the Reddit crew—sassy and sharp! Did our teen outsmart negligent parents, or stir the pot too hard? The crowd’s tossing cheers and wisdom with a grin!
![[Reddit User] - Wow! Some people shouldn't have children, and I dare say your aunt and uncle qualify. Just leaving a child of 3 **alone** in the house while you were showering, unaware of the child's presence, just unreal!](https://en.aubtu.biz/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/294890cm-07.png)
These spicy takes light up Reddit, but do they hit the mark? Was this a clever clapback or a risky ruse?
This Disneyland dash spins a wild tale: a teen, fed up with being the default sitter, faked an exit, saved the day, and still rode the rides! Her uncle and aunt’s reckless move met her crafty counter, but fury followed. It’s a clash of duty, freedom, and family flops—where’s the line? What would you do if relatives dumped a kid on you and bolted? Share your thoughts, tricks, and stories below—let’s unravel this thrilling escape!
