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Families are funny, arent they?

And if you dare to say no?

Oh, the guilt trip comes rolling in like a well-rehearsed performance.

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Thats exactly what happened to one Redditor when she refused tobabysither sisters six kids.

Thats a full classroom, a basketball team with a sub, and a tiny army of snack-demanding tornados.

Which is fair enough.

Young adult babysitter with two children at home, smiling and playing together.

Parenting solo is no joke.

But heres the thing: the OP has severe anxiety around children.

Her family knows this, and for the most part, they respect her boundaries.

Text discussing an anxious 20-year-old overwhelmed by babysitting six kids.

So, she asked the OP, and the OP, knowing her own limits, politely declined.

This did not go over well.

But the OP didnt back down and suggested hiring ababysitter.

Text discussing a woman’s need for childcare assistance, asking family and friends to babysit due to her work commitments.

But sis wasnt about to pay for something she believed the OP should do for free.

Even mom chimed in, saying the OP shouldve just sucked it up and helped.

Because obviously, nothing says love like ignoring someonesmental healthfor free childcare.

Text about anxiety related to babysitting kids under 10, expressing difficulty and panic around them.

Symptoms can include racing thoughts, nausea, dizziness, and, oh yeah, intense panic attacks.

If someone tells you that a specific situation is a trigger for their anxiety, believe them.

Coping mechanisms can help, but forcing someone into a high-stress scenario is a recipe for disaster.

Text describing anxiety and panic attack from babysitting sister’s six kids.

The art ofguilt-trippingis basically every familys secret weapon.

But heres the thingsetting boundaries is healthy.

Check out the results:

Anxious young woman with head in hands on sofa, feeling overwhelmed.

Text about babysitting anxiety, with sister aware yet still requesting help.

Text describing babysitting dilemma for six kids due to a no-child wedding.

Text about a sister asking to babysit for the weekend, with a refusal.

Text about anxiety and babysitting difficulty, mentioning an incident and a sister’s reaction.

Two women standing back-to-back indoors, one looking anxious with hand on head, the other with arms crossed, illustrating babysitting stress.

Text stating frustration about an event from a year ago.

Text excerpt describing an anxious 20-year-old overwhelmed by babysitting sister’s six kids due to their behavior.

Text regarding babysitting stress and anxiety, suggesting hiring a babysitter.

Text exchange on babysitting request, highlighting the anxious conversation between sisters over childcare responsibilities.

A young woman looking upset while another tries to console her, illustrating anxiety and family issues.

Text about offering financial help for a babysitter, mentioning a sister leaving without responding.

Text image discussing family expectations and support in a Facebook post.

Text about anxiety around young children and refusing to babysit sister’s kids.

A person typing on a laptop at a table, with a notebook and cup beside them; scene suggests babysitting duties.

Reddit comment discussing boundaries in babysitting, emphasizing valid limits against sister’s persistent requests.

Forum post discussing anxiety about babysitting six kids, highlights stress and responsibility concerns.

Reddit comment criticizing lack of protection advice in babysitting context.

Reddit comment discussing anxiety, responsibility of babysitting six kids, and advice on parenting and childcare planning.

Reddit comment discussing a young, anxious babysitter overwhelmed while watching sister’s children.

Reddit comment saying sister’s six kids are her responsibility, not yours.

Comment about babysitting responsibilities and affordability of hiring help.

Reddit comment discussing a toxic and insensitive situation involving babysitting six kids.

Reddit comment about watching children, stating reluctance to babysit six kids, highlighting family support and teamwork.

Text message expressing surprise about a 26-year-old with six kids from different fathers.