Do you think it is okay for my parents to make me babysit my sister during the day?

Question

basically I am 15 years old and I have a little sister who is almost 2 years old. I have been baby sit her during the day when my parents are at work because when she used to go to daycare she kept on getting sick with diharea, and she just was not very healthy there because of the un hygenic conditions there, so then my parents started homeschooling me and then they made me babysit her so that she wouldn't get sick. Anyways I have been doing this for almost a year now. And it has been putting a lot of stress on me. My parents tutor me after they come home and during the weekends, so it doesnt affect my studying too much. But I recently started having these dark circles under my eyes because it is very stressful for me. But if I would tell them to send her back to daycare she would keep getting sick again because the conditions there are very bad, infact my mom saw another kid using my sister's pacifier there and she freaked out at the sight of that. And that would make me feel very bad also if I had to send her back to that.

So I am not exactly sure if I should tell them that I cant take care of her, or just keep doing this until she grows a little older and will become more self dependent. I have to travel to a foreign country for exams anyways, so my parents will either have to come with me or find a way to take care of her because she will obviously will not be old enough to stay home by herself then.

Answer 1

You need to tell your parents you are feeling stressed over this.  Maybe they can find a daycare center that is cleaner where she can go 3 days a week and you watch her 2 days.  

Answer 2

All day everyday is a bit much. And your sister should see a doctor about her persistent diarrhea just to be safe.

Answer 3

if you live in thier home, yes.

Answer 4

I think it is a VERY good and self LESS deed that you babysit your baby sister every day for the family.  That is comendable and I applaud you for doing that!  I know it can be stressful.  Maybe you could ask if your parents could find a part time babysitter that can watch the baby once or twice per week, that way it would still not cost too much and you could have a break from the baby and have time for yourself also.  

Also, is there only 1 daycare center where you live?  There should be plenty of day care centers to choose from, they shouldn't ALL give her the runs, right?

Answer 5

They need to find another daycare, I am sure there is more than one in your town. A 2 yr old is a lot of responsibility and one that is honestly not the older siblings. Once in a while yes, but not everyday. I hope they did not home school you just so they could have free child care, that is not fair to you.

And honestly kids just get a lot of colds etc at this age, their immune system is still building up tolerance to germs. Keeping her free of all germs will only cause her  to catch everything when they finally let her out of the house.

Answer 6

I tell my daughter that our goal as a family is to eat. we all have to do whatever we need to do to survive as a family...period. we all make sacrifices, and watching her brother is hers. deal with it.

Answer 7

Well tell your parents that it is having an effect on your emotional health....but research other daycares to help them out...but technically if they arnt abusing you they have total control over you until your 18

Answer 8

Well p**p Master, I do not think that this is fair at all. This is a huge responsibility to place on a 15 year old. You should be in school during the day and enjoying the whole experience. The fact that you have to do school work at night is just right.

Kids get sick in daycare. Maybe they should have tried another daycare that was cleaner.

Answer 9

No, I don't think it is acceptable for your parents to take you out of school to babysit your 2 yr old sister. This ultimately will lead to resentment. My mother was forced to quit school as teen to take care of the house after her mother died. She never forgave her father for that it created a wedge in the family that lasted. No child should be forced to be the primary caregiver for an infact. You are not 18. This is slave labor.

Answer 10

Ask to go back to public school. Then they wont have you to babysit

Answer 11

Make you?  No.  It's their responsibility..not yours.

Answer 12

Honestly, no I do not think this situation is ok. You are 15 years old and you should be able to enjoy your teenage years without having to act as a parent to a 2 year old. I am the mother of a 2 year old and I know how challenging it can be at times, I could not imagine when I was 15 facing the responsibilities that I do now as a parent.  I just watched an episode on the show  Super-Nanny & there were 2 teens in a similar situation that you are in.  They were at home all day watching their very young brothers. It broke my heart to see what they had to deal with. You just have to let your parents know its not working out for you to do this. You are tired & you need to live your life! If they will not listen, go to someone who will.  If your parents cannot find a suitable daycare, then they need to find someone who can come into your home and watch your sister. Bottom line. This is not your burden to bear. Praying for you!

Answer 13

No, I don't think it's fair for you to watch your sister every day.  As the 15 - year - old brother, you should be expected to watch her every now and then.  But you're still a kid yourself, and your parents are putting way too much responsibility on you.  They should hire another babysitter, or find a better daycare center.  They're the parents, and it's their responsibility to secure child care for their younger child.  Making you pick up the slack for them is unfair.  

I would suggest printing out this question and some of these answers to show them.  Have a serious talk with them, because they're taking advantage of you.  If they won't listen, get another trusted adult to intervene on your behalf.  Good luck.