AITA for putting a fake spider in the bathroom after my sister kept using it to take 40-minute selfies?

Shirley Stafford Hours
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In a cozy suburban home, mornings are a battlefield where a shared bathroom becomes the ultimate prize. A 14-year-old boy, fed up with his older sister’s selfie sessions that turn their sink into a photo studio, hatches a mischievous plan. With a $4 fake spider, he aims to reclaim his morning routine, only to unleash a scream that echoes through the house. This tale of teenage rebellion highlights the chaos of shared spaces and the lengths one might go to restore order.

The boy’s frustration is palpable—late school mornings and a younger sibling forced to pee in the backyard paint a vivid picture of domestic gridlock. Readers can’t help but wonder: was his prank a stroke of genius or a step too far? This story dives into the clash of sibling priorities, parental oversight, and the quest for fairness in a crowded household.

‘AITA for putting a fake spider in the bathroom after my sister kept using it to take 40-minute selfies?’

Okay, so I (14M) share a bathroom with my older sister (17F), and for the past few months, she’s been basically turning it into her personal photo studio. She’ll go in there in the morning, do her makeup, and then spend 30 to 45 minutes taking selfies in the mirror with like six different outfits.

Sometimes she even brings a ring light. A ring light. Into the bathroom. The problem is, when she does this, no one else can use the bathroom. I’ve been late to school because I had to wait just to brush my teeth. My younger brother (9M) has literally had to pee in the backyard once.

I told her she needs to stop hogging it, but she just says “Get up earlier” or “You’re being dramatic.” So I decided to get petty. I bought a realistic-looking fake spider off Amazon (like $4), and stuck it behind the trash can in the corner where she sets up her tripod. It didn’t do anything for a few days, but this morning I heard her scream and then she ran out of the bathroom crying.

She thought it was real. I told her it was fake and she called me a p**cho. Now my parents are mad at me, saying I “traumatized her” and that I “need to be more respectful of her space,” but it’s literally our bathroom. I didn’t hurt her. I just wanted to get my sink back. AITA?

This bathroom saga is a classic case of sibling rivalry meeting limited resources. The shared space, meant for quick tooth-brushing and showers, became a stage for one sister’s social media aspirations, leaving her brothers stranded. The OP’s prank, while petty, was a cry for fairness in a household where boundaries seem blurry.

Dr. John Gottman, a renowned family dynamics expert, notes, “Conflict in families often stems from unmet needs for respect and fairness” (Gottman Institute). Here, the sister’s disregard for shared time ignored her brothers’ needs, pushing the OP to act out. His spider prank, though dramatic, was a creative attempt to restore balance without direct confrontation.

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This situation reflects a broader issue: the negotiation of shared spaces in families. A 2019 study from the Journal of Family Psychology found that 68% of teens report conflicts over shared resources like bathrooms or tech devices (APA). The sister’s actions, enabled by parental inaction, highlight a need for clear household rules.

To resolve this, the family could set a bathroom time limit—say, 15 minutes during peak hours. The OP could also propose a schedule with his sister to ensure everyone’s needs are met. Open communication, perhaps mediated by parents, would prevent future pranks while fostering mutual respect.

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Heres what people had to say to OP:

Reddit’s finest didn’t hold back, serving up a mix of sympathy and sass for our spider-wielding hero. Here’s a peek at the community’s hot takes:

RadioNo2413 − NTA. Your sister is in the wrong but I also think the parents enabled that behaviour of hers. If you got late to school and your brother literally has to use the backyard, then your parents (shockingly) aren't taking the issue seriously.

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Sit with your parents, apologise but do tell them that you did what you did what you did because they aren't addressing a genuine issue that is affecting your school and other schedule. Maybe meet halfway with them and your sister and set a time when she can use the bathroom to do her stuff.

StatisticianPlus7834 − NTA. It's not HER space. It's a shared bathroom. She is being a spoiled brat and disrespectful. Your parents did nothing. You dealt with it your way. Next time do not tell her it is fake.

Savingdollars − Next change the light bulbs to yellow hues

Responsible_Bird3384 − I’m loving the outrage in his 14 year old heart over the ring light 😂. Not the AH at all. The golden child sister needs to be a bit more considerate.

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jess3842 − NTA. You deserve to have access to the bathroom. Why is it ok for your sister to not respect your space? Your parents should be dealing with this situation by putting a time limit on the bathroom use.

Every time you need the bathroom and she’s been in it for too long, go get one of them and ask what you are supposed to do…do they want you to start telling people you have to pee in the backyard?

Meghanshadow − INFO. Why on earth aren’t your parents annoyed at not being able to pee/shower in the morning themselves?. Do they have a en-suite bathroom? Use it. And yeah, nobody gets to h** a shared bathroom for an hour in the mornings when people are getting ready for work/school.. Personally - have you thought of getting up earlier and developing a long bubble bath habit?

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AteStringCheeseShred − NTA. If seeing a spider is enough to 'traumatize' your sister, she definitely needs to spend less time on her phone and more time outside. She's also nearly an adult and clearly has trouble grasping the concept that the world does not revolve around her, and acting like a spoiled little s**t hogging shared resources like that for the sake of her own immature vanity is going to have consequences.

indigo263 − I'm petty enough that at that age I'd be tempted to take her up on the suggestion of getting up earlier, more just so you can give her a taste of her own medicine. Spend the same amount of time in there as she does - play games on your phone or whatever to wile away the time

and when she gets there needing in to get ready (or take photos) then tough luck, she should've gotten up earlier! What you did was a harmless prank, and the fact your parents are still siding with her when it literally made you late for school is alarming.

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If your parents have their own bathroom that you could use I guess there's always that option (and see how they like the inconvenience of not being able to use it when they need to), but as far as the fake spider goes you're NTA.

another_online_idiot − NTA. OK, well maybe a small one but a justified AH. in my opinion. Why the hell were your parents not making sure that everyone can use the bathroom efficiently? They are the people most at fault here.

Freaky_Pineapple29 − Your parents ATA is this situation…at 14 you shouldn’t have to do/worry about these kind of things…parents supposed to handle stuff like this. Is there a reason why they rather have their youngest child pee outside versus setting a time limit for the restroom…smh

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These opinions spark a question—do they mirror real-world solutions, or are they just Reddit’s brand of armchair justice?

This tale of a fake spider and a selfie showdown reminds us how small spaces can spark big battles. The OP’s prank was a cheeky move, but it exposed deeper issues of fairness and parental oversight. What would you do if you were stuck waiting for a bathroom hog? Share your thoughts, pranks, or diplomatic solutions below—how would you reclaim your sink?

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