AITA for rejecting the role of “cool aunt” because it was really more like unpaid babysitter?

Imagine a family reunion where the air hums with lightsaber sound effects and the walls are plastered with Hogwarts pride. In one corner, a sister crafts a Harry Potter costume that’s framed like a masterpiece; in another, our storyteller stitches a prom dress that barely earns a nod. Fast-forward to today: she’s a fashion grad back in town, hoping for sisterly bonding—only to find herself cast as the babysitter in a sci-fi family saga. Let’s unravel this thread.

Our Redditor, a FIT alum with a flair for fabric, always felt like the odd stitch in her geeky clan. When COVID nudged her homeward, her sister lit up—not for sisterly coffee dates, but for zoo trips and ice cream runs with the kids. “Be the Cool Aunt!” she chirped, dreaming of gaming marathons while her sibling played nanny. Hurt by the brush-off—“We’ve got nothing in common”—our heroine snapped back: “Sounds like you want an unpaid babysitter.” Cue family drama hotter than a Tatooine summer.

‘AITA for rejecting the role of “cool aunt” because it was really more like unpaid babysitter?’

This story’s a patchwork of mismatched expectations. Sis saw a free sitter; our Redditor craved connection. The parents? They’re cheering from Team Gryffindor, blind to their daughter’s solo runway. It’s less about babysitting and more about belonging—or the lack of it.

Family therapist Esther Perel puts it perfectly: “We don’t grow closer by being the same; we grow by valuing what’s different.” (Source: The Atlantic). The sister’s dismissal stings like a poorly pinned hem, and Mom’s “try harder to be like us” jab? That’s a guilt trip with no return ticket. Fashion isn’t “chasing popularity”—it’s her art, as valid as any lightsaber duel.

Zoom out, and this hits a universal snag: sibling favoritism. Studies show 65% of adults feel parental bias growing up (Source: Journal of Marriage and Family). Here, the geeky sister’s throne is cushioned, while our Redditor’s left threading her own needle. Solution? Sis could trade a gaming night for a sewing lesson—bond over creating, not just consuming. Parents? Time to applaud both daughters’ crafts. Readers, what’s your take—fair boundary or family foul?

Here’s the comments of Reddit users:

Here’s the Reddit crew, stitching their own takes with gusto. Some call the family toxic, cheering our Redditor’s stand; others suggest a cheeky twist—teach the kids fashion and watch Sis squirm. It’s a chorus of “NTA” with a dash of “ouch, that’s relatable.”

These opinions are Reddit’s finest fabric—but do they weave the whole story?

This tale’s a frayed seam of hurt and hope. Was our Redditor an asshole for dodging the babysitter gig, or is her family too busy in their galaxy far, far away to see her shine? Between Star Wars quilts and handmade dreams, there’s room for both sisters—if they’d just thread the needle together. What would you do if your family cast you as the extra instead of the star? Share below—let’s sew up this debate!