April 9, 2015 WHEN YOUR PARENTS EXPECT YOU TO BABYSIT ALL THE TIME Today’s question comes from Emily, who writes: I have an annoying sister at home, and my parents force me to babysit her when they go out. Whenever I do, something ends up burnt or broken, and when my parents come home I get told off. What should I do? My Advice: Hi Emily! I can TOTALLY relate to you on this! Brianna’s a little whacko, and she’s always breaking stuff, like the time she almost knocked over the bookcase because she was pretending she was Rapunzel and the bookcase was her tower. Babysitting is annoying no matter what, but it’s FAR worse when you have to spend the whole night watching your sister like she’s playing Ring Around the Rosy RIGHT at the edge of a massive cliff. It’d be nice if all you need to do is say, “Hey Mom and Dad, I’m not your free labor! Try Nannies.com…you’ll find a TON of babysitters there!” But if you like seeing your friends and NOT being grounded, you probably don’t want to do that. Still, it might help to sit them down and tell them how tough this is on you. They probably think stuff gets burnt or broken because you’re not paying attention. But really, it’s deeper than that. Stuff gets burnt or broken because you CAN’T pay attention to your sister all the time. You have your own stuff to do, and I’m not just talking about your nails. Your homework won’t do itself! Maybe you could tell your parents, “I try to do a good job when I’m babysitting, but as you know, she’s a handful! And sometimes it’s a little overwhelming because I babysit a lot.” After that, you could throw in a little flattery (because EVERYONE loves when you stroke their ego!) You could say, “I admire you guys even more after babysitting so much. It’s not an easy job, and you do it so well!” Then you could end with a deal: “How about I try a little harder to stay on top of everything when you’re out, but maybe you guys find someone else to help with babysitting every now and then. If I can get just a little break, it will be a lot easier for me to make sure nothing else breaks when you’re not around!” They might say they don’t have the money for that, but I’m sure they have friends or relatives who could help out a little. Hopefully, once you speak up, they’ll get someone else to step up! What do you guys think? Do you have any advice for Emily?
Stefanie says April 30, 2015 at 12:55 pm You have the same problem like I do. My dad’s cousin was gonna live at our house. ANd theres an empty room we use to keep our suit cases, bags, and stuff like that there. So my family and I moved everything. Then the room smelled really bad. I went to get the air freshener. Then my dad scolded me. But when my sister helps, my parents appreciate it. If i help, they just scold me.
Maria Cortes says April 29, 2015 at 9:52 pm Hey Emily, I totally get you on this one sister, because i have to say i have TWO crazy siblings that sometimes i even wish to be only child ( in a good way) but my advice too you is to talk to your parents that your sis is a little bonkers and that they need to talk to her, also if that does no work try making up new games while your parents are out. games like hide and seek or something like that. PS. Ill text you a physio phone later if you need it Your Friend, Maria Cortes
EmmaloveNikki3000 says April 29, 2015 at 10:49 am I am SOOO sorry for you. But if you had my little sister, 911 here we come!
Radience♥Spark♥Glow says April 28, 2015 at 9:38 pm HELP! I NEED YOUR ADVICE NIKKI I HAVE THIS BRATTY LITTLE COUSIN AND HE NEVER LISTENS TO ME! HE HITS ME WHEN I DO NOTHING TO HIM! AND HIS PARENTS ALWAYS EXPECT ME TO BABYSIT HIM! AND THEY BLAME ME FOR GETTING HIM HURT HELP!
Jenna says April 27, 2015 at 7:44 pm I have an older sis who has two kidz but when its date night for her and her husband its baby sitting night for me and my mom. My nephew is so energetic so he throws his toys around the house all over the place
dorky and cute says April 27, 2015 at 3:41 pm tell your parents how you feel about babysitting your annoying little sister
dorky and cute says April 27, 2015 at 12:53 am Talk to your parents nicely and tell them what’s going on. And ask them if you can stop babysitting you sister.
Maya says April 26, 2015 at 7:00 pm I feel the SAME WAY.I have an annoying little sister and she is two.I don’t have to babysit her,but she is a pain in the but so very much I say she is a pain in the EVERYWHERE.I mean can you belive THAT,it is just she does a lot of bad stuff and she also… like,NEVER LISTENS TO MY MOM OR ME.Do you get what I am sayin’.Well what I am sayin’ that my sister is A PAIN IN THE EVERYWHERE.Sorry, I can’t stop screaming right now so.