Almost three quarters of a century ago, George Orwell’s legendary novel “1984” was published, from which we, in particular, learned about Big Brother, who, as we all perhaps know, “is always watching you.” Since then, this phrase has become a kind of symbol of a totalitarian state – but for the hero of today’s tale, it has a completely different meaning.
Yes, the story we’re going to tell you today, from the user u/BigBroSituation , is exactly about how our hero, actually being a big brother to his 9 siblings, had to watch them all – thereby falling into a kind of totalitarian regime of his own parents’. However, let’s not be so critical, but instead tell everything in order.
More info: Reddit
The author of the post is 22 years old and he is the big brother in a family with 10 siblings
Nine siblings of varying ages standing in a row outdoors under a garden trellis, dressed casually for a family photo.
The thing is that the author’s parents are quite religious, so they consider every baby to be part of God’s plan
22-year-old tired of babysitting nine siblings moves far to avoid parents’ demands and gain independence.
Text on a white background stating a parent had more kids but the mom suffered from several miscarriages.
Text about a 22-year-old sick and tired of babysitting nine siblings, feeling trapped without freedom.
Three children playing with toys on a living room floor, illustrating babysitting siblings and family demands.
The parents, alas, had always been putting the burden of babysitting onto the shoulders of their eldest kid
Alt text: Excerpt describing struggles of 22-year-old overwhelmed by babysitting nine siblings and financial family challenges.
Text excerpt about someone discovering their parents had many kids due to not using protection, related to babysitting 9 siblings.
Text excerpt about being tired of babysitting nine siblings due to parents’ demands and beliefs against protection.
Text about moving far to avoid babysitting siblings, reflecting 22YO tired of babysitting 9 siblings and parents’ demands.
Two young men outdoors in an urban setting, one appearing tired and frustrated, reflecting 22YO sick of babysitting siblings.
So, as soon as the author came of age, he moved out and rented a place quite far away from his parents’ home
Text about a 22-year-old tired of babysitting siblings who moves far to avoid parents’ demands while attending college.
Text excerpt about limiting contact with parents to avoid babysitting siblings and a younger brother spending time away from home.
Text showing a 22-year-old sick and tired of babysitting 9 siblings, facing family conflict over avoiding parents’ demands.
Text excerpt expressing feelings of 22YO sick and tired of babysitting 9 siblings, moving far to avoid parents’ demands.
Text post asking if the author is TA for how a situation happened, related to babysitting 9 siblings and avoiding parents.
The author also let his younger siblings move in with him, thus being accused of “turning his back on the family” by his parents
So, the Original Poster (OP) tells us that he is 22 years old now, and he’s the eldest of his parents’ ten children. Our hero would’ve had even more siblings, but his mother had several miscarriages. It’s all about his parents’ specific attitude to protection – they never care about this, considering each baby a true gift from above.
The couple earns well, but due to the number of kids, it has always been quite difficult for them to provide for such a large family , and the children had to share rooms, never had enough private space and whatnot. In addition, the entire burden of babysitting has always been placed on our hero. Yes, he’s two years older than the second oldest child in the family, and his parents always expected him to take care of the siblings.
No, our hero understood perfectly well that it wasn’t easy for his mom and dad, and he tried in every way to help them. But he also understood that the constant influx of new kids in the family actually deprived him of a full-fledged childhood, and as soon as he came of age, he moved out, renting a place further away – about an hour’s drive from his parents’ house. Just so he wouldn’t be pestered with requests to babysit…
Interestingly, almost immediately after the author left, his parents switched their demands to babysit to his sister, then to the third eldest child – and after some time, both turned to their big brother with a literal plea to let them live with him. Our hero understood perfectly well what they were going through, so he let them in.
Moreover, he clearly hinted to the other teen siblings about this “loophole” – as a result, he received accusations from his parents of “turning his back on the family.” So, the guy decided to take it online in order to get some moral support.
Stressed young adults covering ears on couch while children play loudly in background, overwhelmed by babysitting duties.
Well, in fact, many parents are often happy to shift part of the burden of looking after younger kids onto the shoulders of older ones, without realizing how selfish such an approach can be. For example, the Super Nanny website notes that many parents don’t understand (or don’t want to understand) that requiring teens to babysit younger siblings actually brings them a lot of stress.
In addition, experts are quite sure that relationships between brothers and sisters should be, first and foremost, sibling relationships, not “nanny – kid” ones. “Older siblings should be older siblings who may occasionally provide temporary oversight. Older siblings should not be virtual stand-ins or replacements for mom and dad,” this dedicated article on Siblings Relationship Lab says.
Thus, the responders claimed that the decision to have so many kids doesn’t belong to the author, but to his parents, and it’s they who should actually bear the full responsibility for this. The commenters are also sure that the OP didn’t actually turn his back on his family, but simply chose to live his own life, and gave the same, quite reasonable, advice to his siblings. So do you, our dear readers, also agree with this point of view?
Reddit discussion about 22YO tired babysitting 9 siblings and moving far to avoid parents’ demands and responsibilities.
Reddit user discusses being sick and tired of babysitting nine siblings and avoiding parents’ demands by moving far away.
Screenshot of an online forum comment showing a user advising to say it was God’s plan in a discussion about babysitting siblings.
Reddit comment by user markroth69 stating being tired of babysitting 9 siblings and avoiding parents’ demands.
Screenshot of an online comment discussing a 22-year-old tired of babysitting 9 siblings, seeking distance from parents’ demands.
Screenshot of an online comment debating responsibility for babysitting multiple siblings and parents’ demands.
Text comment from user anon explaining that kids should not be forced into babysitting siblings and praises moving out to avoid parents’ demands.
Text excerpt from a 22-year-old discussing babysitting nine siblings and moving far to avoid parents’ demands.
Screenshot of an online comment discussing the right to personal freedom from babysitting multiple siblings and parental demands.
Text of a forum comment discussing frustration with babysitting many siblings and avoiding parents’ demands for childcare help.
Screenshot of a Reddit comment discussing a 22-year-old sick and tired of babysitting nine siblings and avoiding parents’ demands.
Comment explaining parentification where eldest sibling babysits younger siblings, highlighting burdens and escaping parents’ demands.
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