AITA I lied to the people who I was babysitting for to get them to come home?
Picture a quiet suburban house on a Saturday night, the glow of a TV flickering as a 15-year-old babysitter keeps watch over sleeping kids. The clock ticks past midnight, and the promised return of the parents—off at a wedding—feels like a distant dream. Our young hero, armed with first aid skills and a sense of responsibility, waits patiently, texting into the void. But as the hours drag on, patience turns to panic, and a clever trick becomes her ticket out of this late-night limbo.
What should’ve been a straightforward gig spiraled into a tale of broken promises, drunken delays, and a dad ready to unleash holy fury. Caught between guilt and grit, the babysitter’s quick thinking saved the night—but left her wondering if she’d crossed a line. Let’s unravel this pint-sized drama and see who’s really at fault.
‘AITA I lied to the people who I was babysitting for to get them to come home?’
Babysitting’s a gig of trust, but this one went off the rails when the parents ghosted their own deadline. A 15-year-old, reliant on her dad for a ride, was left stranded—texts ignored, calls unanswered. It’s not just rude; it’s reckless. The parents’ excuse? A wedding buzz that trumped their word. But the teen’s garage-alarm fib? A stroke of desperate genius.
Child psychologist Dr. Tovah Klein notes, “Teens often resort to creative problem-solving when adults fail them—it’s a sign of resilience” (Psychology Today, 2021). Here, the babysitter’s lie wasn’t malice; it was survival after two hours of silence. The parents’ speedy return proves they could respond—they just didn’t care to. A 2023 Care.com survey found 68% of sitters expect clear timelines; flaking like this risks burnout and bad blood.
The mom’s schoolyard scolding reeks of deflection—she’s mad her bluff got called. Advice? Set firm rates (think $10/hour, plus $20 late fees), and screen clients better. Readers, how would you enforce babysitting boundaries?
Here’s how people reacted to the post:
Reddit weighed in with gusto—here’s the vibe: “The crew dished out some fiery takes, equal parts salty and supportive.” Check the chatter:
These are the crowd’s unfiltered gems—but do they hit the mark, or just stir the pot? You tell me.
This teen’s no villain—she’s a babysitting badass who outsmarted flaky adults. The real culprits? Parents who ditched their duty for a drunken night, then dared to play victim. It’s a lesson in accountability: keep your word, or face the consequences—even if it’s a fake alarm. Dad’s got her back, and that’s the win here.
What would you do if you were stuck waiting past midnight? Spill your thoughts—ever pulled a clever trick to dodge a jam, or dealt with adults who flaked?
Agreements should have been between the adults with the 15 yr old understanding the rules. Dad should have been the one calling and texting the parents.