I Went to Work Instead of Babysitting—Now My Dad’s Furious

This story centers on a 17-year-old boy caught in a power struggle between his own goals and his father’s idea of family responsibility. OP (Original Poster) had a scheduled shift at work on Saturday, something he’s committed to as part of a bigger plan—saving money to move out and go no contact. But two days before that shift, his stepmom Heather suddenly told him he needed to call out to babysit his three young half-siblings so she could go to a doctor’s appointment. OP refused. He stood his ground and told both Heather and his dad that he wouldn’t miss work for this. Come Saturday morning, Heather expected him to stay—but OP left early, avoided their calls, and chose to protect his job and independence instead.

That choice didn’t come without consequences. Heather missed her appointment, his dad unleashed a full-blown lecture, and now OP’s being blamed for damaging family ties. His father claims he’s being selfish and cruel, insisting that helping out with siblings is part of being a “family.” But OP doesn’t feel like part of that family at all. He’s focused on getting out, not bonding with his dad’s new wife or their kids. Now he’s left wondering: Was he wrong to put himself first?

It’s crazy how entitled parents keep demanding babysitting favors from their teens

The poster had work on Saturday, yet he was expected to look after his 3 half siblings, as his dad’s wife (Heather) had an appointment

Alright, let’s get into the meat of this story—and trust me, it’s a lot deeper than just “you should’ve babysat.” This situation brings up a whole bunch of things worth talking about: boundaries in blended families, expectations of older siblings, teen labor rights, and even emotional manipulation inside households. Let’s unpack this together.

📦 Blended Families and Emotional Boundaries

Blended families are tough. There’s no one-size-fits-all rulebook. But here’s a thing that often gets ignored: older kids aren’t built-in babysitters. Especially when those kids didn’t choose the new family dynamic.

In this story, OP isn’t rejecting his half-siblings out of spite—he’s drawing a line. He didn’t sign up to parent three toddlers. And expecting him to cancel work with two days’ notice is straight-up unrealistic.

A 17-year-old working, saving money, and staying focused on school? That’s exactly the kind of responsibility parents should encourage. Yet here, he’s being guilted for not prioritizing childcare—childcare that wasn’t even discussed or agreed upon.

💼 Teen Workers and Job Commitments

Let’s talk about work ethic. OP is doing what most responsible adults ask of teens—he’s working hard and saving for his future. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, teens under 18 have limited work hours, especially during school sessions. So every scheduled shift matters.

Canceling a shift last minute, especially without a valid reason like illness, doesn’t just hurt your credibility—it can hurt your income. And at 17, OP knows his job is part of his exit strategy. That’s not just “being dramatic,” that’s survival mode.

For many teens in toxic or strained households, work isn’t just money—it’s freedom. It’s the first step toward escape. If you’ve ever lived in a house where you felt unwanted or emotionally unsafe, you get it.

👶 The Ethics of “You’re the Oldest, So Help”

There’s a common trend in dysfunctional family systems: the parentification of older kids. That means they’re forced into adult roles before they’re ready, usually because the actual adults drop the ball.

OP wasn’t asked. He was told. That’s a key difference. There’s a world between “Hey, can you help me out?” and “You’re staying home because I have an appointment.” That’s not asking for help—that’s assigning a duty without consent.

Parentification isn’t just unfair—it can be harmful. According to psychology experts, kids in these roles often deal with guilt, anxiety, and burnout. They feel responsible for things that should never fall on their shoulders in the first place.

🚨 Is This Emotional Manipulation?

Let’s break it down: OP was told he’s “ignoring family,” “spiteful,” and “selfish.” That’s heavy language—especially for a teen who just went to work.

When parents guilt-trip their kids into caregiving roles or use emotional blackmail to enforce obedience, it’s not parenting—it’s manipulation.

OP isn’t refusing to help ever. He’s just not okay being the emergency babysitter on demand. Especially when it’s clearly about convenience, not emergency.

📚 Similar Stories and Legal Rights

This isn’t the first time Reddit’s seen a story like this. Threads like r/AmItheAsshole and r/raisedbynarcissists are filled with similar situations where teens are pulled into adult responsibilities too soon.

Legally speaking, a 17-year-old is still a minor, but that doesn’t mean their time isn’t valuable. In most U.S. states, minors aren’t legally required to babysit siblings unless a court order says so. Parents can’t force them to call out of work, especially for non-emergencies.

In family law cases, courts have even ruled that excessive demands for unpaid sibling care can cross the line into neglect or exploitation. That’s especially true when it interferes with school or work.

🏃‍♂️ Why Leaving Early Was Actually Smart

A lot of folks might say OP should’ve waited and just refused when Heather left—but leaving early was probably the smarter move. It avoided a direct confrontation and made it 100% clear he wasn’t staying.

Yes, the calls and messages were annoying, but OP stuck to his boundary. That’s hard to do, especially in households where standing up for yourself usually ends in a screaming match.

🥶 The “Real Family” Card

One of the saddest parts of this story is the guilt-tripping about “being a real family.” If being part of a real family means ignoring your own dreams to pick up someone else’s slack—you might want to question the definition.

Real families support each other, yes—but not by coercion. Not by force. Not by calling you selfish for trying to build your own future.

OP doesn’t hate his half-siblings. He just wants something better for himself—and there’s nothing wrong with that.

Netizens instantly sided with him, called out the couple’s entitlement, and even cautioned him to keep his money safe

Nope, OP’s not the asshole. He’s a teenager doing everything right—working, saving, planning for a better life. If anything, this story highlights how often older siblings get trapped in unfair roles, especially in blended families where emotional ties aren’t naturally built.

Standing up for yourself in a family that doesn’t respect your time isn’t selfish—it’s survival.