Babysitting is usually a mix of fun and challenges, but for one 17-year-old, it turned into a lot of stress. During a family trip to Disneyland, she was supposed to watch over her sister’s kids, which she found overwhelming. So, she came up with a plan: she pretended to lose her passport at the airport to avoid going on the trip. Instead, she stayed home and enjoyed some peace and quiet. She shared her story on Reddit to see if others thought she made the right call for her own well-being.
“I’m 17 and still live with my parents. My sister, who’s 28, is married and has two kids, aged 5 and 3. When she visits, it’s usually for a whole week, and during that time, I’m the one taking care of her kids. If we go out to eat, I’m the one keeping them entertained while my mom chats with my sister and her husband. It’s like being an unpaid nanny for the week.
This summer, my parents planned a Disneyland trip to celebrate my graduation. They said it would just be the three of us. But when we got to the airport, my sister and her family were there too, heading to Disneyland.
I didn’t want to go, so I hid my passport in my sock and pretended to lose it at security. I missed my flight, but I got to stay home alone for a week.
My parents were upset about the wasted money, but my dad understood why I did it. He wished I had told him beforehand so he wouldn’t have spent the money.
My mom and sister blamed me for ruining the vacation, but I don’t feel too bad. I’ve been to Disneyland before and can go again with friends later.