Is it wrong to constantly depend on your teenagers to watch their toddler sibling?

Question

Does anyone feel like it’s wrong that teenage siblings are constantly having to watch their toddler sibling?

Accepted Answer

It’s unfair to them, the toddler isn’t their child.

Answer

My mum used to get us to watch our younger siblings from their births, they were 10 years plus younger than us all the time, we both have resentment towards her for it

Answer

Yes, I was in that situation many years ago. My baby sister and brother are 14 and 15 years younger than me me and I was always taken advantage of in having to watch them all the time for free. It’s completely unfair and after a while I put my foot down about it and my mom had to higher a babysitter.

Answer

It's fine every so often, but they shouldn't be settled down with such a huge responsibility so often.

Answer

I helped my parents out but if I already had plans they never asked me to cancel them

Answer

My oldest watches her sister now and then.  She is 17 just graduated.  Doesn't have the will to get a job and doesn't lift a finger to help out with the house.  Getting her up to watch the little one is the only way I can get her out of bed in the morning.

Answer

If I were in that situation I would st least pay my teenager to watch the kids

Answer

I always had to watch my siblings as a teenager.. I even had to cancel plans all the time to do so, so I finally stopped making any. I wasn’t able to get out and do much as a teenager and it wasn’t fair at all. Do I think it’s okay and even good for teenagers to babysit their siblings? Of course. But I don’t think parents should completely depend on their teenagers to do so. They’re not their kids and should get to enjoy being a teenager because it doesn’t last long.

Answer

My older brother and I are 8 years apart - he was always watching me. But my parents always paid him, and they never forced him to cancel already-made plans in order to have him babysit. 
I don’t think there’s anything wrong with having older siblings babysit younger ones, but at least be fair about it.

Answer

All my life I was forced to watch my sisters kids and my step sisters kids !!!! ALL MY LIFE!!! From birth +. I was also in high school and college at the same time. I never had time for anything. They aren’t my kids and I had to constantly watch them without being asked if I could or paid on top of that.... and if I punished them for something I got yelled at for it. They told me I wasn’t allowed to punish their kids .... but I was the one dealing with it all the time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YES IT IS FUCKING WRONG. I don’t mean to be an ass but they weren’t my kids and I have my own life.

Is it wrong to constantly depend on your teenagers to watch their toddler sibling?

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