AITA For Asking Mom For $25 After Years Of Free Babysitting?

Hey everyone! Let's dive into a sticky situation: family, favors, and finances. I've been watching my brother without getting paid for two whole years, and recently, I asked my mom for a measly $25. Now I'm wondering, AITA?

The Babysitting Background

So, here's the deal. For the past two years, I've been the go-to babysitter for my younger brother. My mom works, and someone needs to watch him. Since I'm around, that someone has usually been me. I haven't been officially compensated for this, and it’s become just… a thing. A family expectation, if you will. We've never really sat down and talked about payment or anything like that. It’s always been implied that this is just part of my contribution to the family.

The $25 Request

Now, fast forward to last week. I was short on cash and really wanted to buy something – nothing extravagant, just a new game. I figured, after two years of free babysitting, asking my mom for $25 wouldn’t be a huge deal. I mean, think about how much money she's saved in childcare costs over those two years! I approached her and explained my situation, and asked if she could spare $25. I thought it was a reasonable request, considering the circumstances. I wasn't asking for a regular allowance or anything, just a small token of appreciation for all the babysitting I’ve done.

The Fallout

Well, my mom didn't take it as well as I'd hoped. She seemed a bit annoyed, saying that family helps each other out and that I shouldn't expect to be paid for helping with my brother. She made me feel like I was being greedy and that asking for money was inappropriate. This made me question everything. Was I in the wrong? Was I being unreasonable to expect some kind of compensation, even after all this time? It's left me feeling a little resentful and wondering if I'm being taken advantage of. The whole situation has created some tension between us, and now I'm questioning whether I was right to ask in the first place.

AITA? Weighing the Factors

Okay, guys, let’s break this down. On the one hand, family is family. We should help each other out, and maybe I shouldn't expect to be paid for every little thing I do. Helping with my brother is part of being a good sibling, right? Plus, my mom does a lot for me, so maybe I should just be grateful for what I have. However, on the other hand, two years is a long time to provide free childcare! Babysitting is a job, and it takes time and effort. I've sacrificed my own free time and activities to watch my brother, and it feels like that should be worth something. Plus, $25 is a pretty small amount to ask for after all this time. Is it really that unreasonable to want a little something in return for my efforts?

Different Perspectives

I’ve talked to a few friends about this, and they’re divided. Some think I'm totally justified in asking for the money, saying that my mom is taking advantage of me. They argue that even though we're family, my time and effort have value. They suggest I should have a serious conversation with my mom about setting some boundaries and expectations around babysitting. Others think I'm being a bit entitled and that I should just help out my family without expecting anything in return. They say that family support is important, and I shouldn't put a price on helping my brother. Hearing these different perspectives has made me even more confused and unsure of where I stand.

The Bottom Line

So, here I am, turning to you, my internet friends. AITA for asking my mom for $25 after watching my brother for free for two years? Give it to me straight! I need some unbiased opinions to help me figure out if I'm in the wrong or if my mom is being unreasonable. What do you think? Any advice on how to handle this situation going forward would also be greatly appreciated! Let me know in the comments!

Update:

Okay, so after reading all your comments and getting some perspective, I decided to talk to my mom again. I approached the conversation calmly and explained how I felt about the situation. I told her that I understand family helps each other, but I also felt like my time was valuable and that some acknowledgment would be appreciated. To my surprise, she was actually pretty understanding! She admitted that she hadn't really thought about it from my point of view and that she appreciated me watching my brother so often. She ended up giving me the $25 and said that we could talk about setting up some kind of arrangement for future babysitting. Thanks for all your advice, everyone! It really helped me approach the situation in a more constructive way.

Final Thoughts:

This whole experience has taught me the importance of communication and setting clear expectations, especially within families. It's easy to fall into patterns of behavior without really discussing what's fair and reasonable. Moving forward, I'm going to make sure to have open and honest conversations with my family about these kinds of things. And who knows, maybe I'll even start charging a small fee for babysitting – just kidding (sort of)! Thanks again for all your input!