‘My sister tried to dump her three kids on me during the school holidays’

“She told me her kids haven't got to do anything fun these holidays, and that it'd be good for my kids to learn to be nicer to kids that aren't as privileged as them.” 

With school holidays in full swing, Ash*, her husband Nathan* and two kids, aged three and four, decided to spend some time with Ash’s family. 

As she’s also six months pregnant with twins, Ash knew she wanted to spend more time with her family before they welcomed the new bundles of joy.

The family decided to stay in a three-bedroom townhouse for the week, which was close enough to Ash’s dad and step-mum’s house. 

It was also close to Ash’s step-sister, Rebecca, who lived half an hour away with her three kids, aged 10, six. and three. 

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Ash was hoping to spend as much time with her kids during school holidays. Picture: iStock

“My step-sister automatically assumed she could dump her kids on us”

“While here we plan on taking our kids to the zoo, soft play centre, adventure park and a couple of school holiday programs,” Ash explained in a Reddit post. 

“It's also to spend fun times with our kids before it gets too crazy.”

During their week-long stay, they also plan to “catch up with family and friends.” 

“We have some family that can't easily travel and we want to see before the twins arrive as we don't plan on going back until Christmas time,” she added. 

Her step-sister, Rebecca, had other plans. 

As Ash, Nathan and the kids were having lunch at her parent’s home place while waiting to check into their hotel, Rebecca showed up with her three kids in tow. 

“Upon hearing we're coming to town, step-sister automatically assumed she could dump her kids on us,” Ash said.

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According to Ash, Rebecca told her “Her kids haven't got to do anything fun these holidays” whereas Ash has “plenty of room in the townhouse.” 

This didn’t fly with Ash. 

“Usually I don't mind, but being six months pregnant with twins and having other kids, too, I'm not up to dealing with her and her kid’s behaviour,” she explained, adding Rebecca’s three kids can behave like “feral brats” and “refuse to listen” when asked to stop.

To make things worse, Rebecca told Ash this would be “good for [Ash’s] kids to learn to be nicer to kids that aren't as privileged as them.” 

Ash and Nathan had heard enough and told Rebecca they wouldn’t watch her kids during the holidays. 

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Infuriated, Rebecca “started yelling about how we're selfish for not including them” and complained it was “unfair that we can afford to go on holidays and do fun things that our kids probably won't remember.” 

She also accused Ash of not being “supportive” enough of Rebecca’s financial situation as a single mother, and it was “time I step up as her sister and pull my weight instead of expecting my dad and step-mum to always pick up the slack with helping out with her kids.” 

That’s when Ash saw red. 

She “yelled back” that Rebecca’s kids weren’t her responsibility and that she had her “own kids to worry about.” 

“It's not my fault that she can't be bothered to get a job,” she added. “And it's not my fault she keeps having kids she can't afford or take care of.” 

Ash was furious, standing up and heading out the door, but it didn’t stop her mum and Rebeca from “blowing up” her phone with missed calls and text messages.

Nathan argued that while Ash was in the right, her language may have been "a bit harsh." 

Even friends got involved, Ash, noted, who said, “I'm in the wrong since we are in a financial situation [where] we can afford to have the kids with us.” 

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“What a weird way to ask for help … Your step-sister is awful”

The majority of people online were sympathetic to Ash and assured her she wasn’t out offline for knocking Rebecca back. 

“You are under no obligation to be free babysitters just because you are visiting,” a person told Ash.  “Your step-sister made a huge assumption and then got mad when you set a reasonable boundary.”

“What a weird way to ask for help. Your step-sister is awful,” read another comment. 

Others pointed out the audacity of asking Ash to take care of three extra kids while heavily pregnant. 

“You are six months pregnant with twins and she expected you to run after three extra young kids,” someone said. 

“This has nothing to do with money this is her being entitled and expecting a heavily pregnant woman carrying twins to run after five young kids for a whole week.”

“A normal parent would first check with you privately, ask if [she] and [her] kids could join in on one or more activities,” read another comment. 

“It may be she could only afford one or the free activities. Apparently, someone needs to explain to her how to be an adult.”

*Names have been changed

Originally published as ‘My sister tried to dump her three kids on me during the school holidays’