Parents won’t let college kid babysit siblings

[Anonymous]

My parents are traveling this weekend and won’t let my college aged sister stay alone with her brother, who’s a senior in high school. She heads on her study abroad program next week so she’s still at home. They don’t want them to drinking or having friends over (which both of them do not at their house…I mean one is a sophomore in college) and what’s even more ridiculous is the older daughter babysits overnight for her babysitting families regularly and is overall a responsible, normal college kid.

Neither of them have ever done anything egregious and are otherwise responsible so to me this seems like a huge overreach to pay a 50 year old babysitter to watch them for a weekend. My sister leaves town next week for abroad so she has stuff to do in hometown but all three of us think this is totally insane. Is this normal stuff in the helicopter parenting age?

[Anonymous]

They're the parents and you're not. Sounds like you guys want to plan a party though -- why else would you care so much?

And how old are you?

[Anonymous]

My parents were very controlling and had ridiculous rules. But even THEY would allow this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My parents are traveling this weekend and won’t let my college aged sister stay alone with her brother, who’s a senior in high school. She heads on her study abroad program next week so she’s still at home. They don’t want them to drinking or having friends over (which both of them do not at their house…I mean one is a sophomore in college) and what’s even more ridiculous is the older daughter babysits overnight for her babysitting families regularly and is overall a responsible, normal college kid.

Neither of them have ever done anything egregious and are otherwise responsible so to me this seems like a huge overreach to pay a 50 year old babysitter to watch them for a weekend. My sister leaves town next week for abroad so she has stuff to do in hometown but all three of us think this is totally insane. Is this normal stuff in the helicopter parenting age?

It sounds to me like they’re hiring a housesitter, not a babysitter. Either they threw parties when their parents were away or they know they would have if given the opportunity, so they don’t trust their own kids.

[Anonymous]

Yeah. It's a housesitter.

[Anonymous]

Your parents are at fault. They know that they have raised irresponsible kids...+ how dare they travel??

[Anonymous]

I definitely threw parties and had my friends over when my parents left me at home while they went on vacation when I was a college sophomore. I didn't have a high school kid with me, though. That's probably the bigger issue.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They're the parents and you're not. Sounds like you guys want to plan a party though -- why else would you care so much?

And how old are you?

Early 30s and have toddlers, plus I live two hours away so definitely not planning parties!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I definitely threw parties and had my friends over when my parents left me at home while they went on vacation when I was a college sophomore. I didn't have a high school kid with me, though. That's probably the bigger issue.

Problem here is the two kids are similar in age, they are more likely to facilitate and cover for each other having a party than stop the other. Makes sense the parents want someone there to watch the place.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I definitely threw parties and had my friends over when my parents left me at home while they went on vacation when I was a college sophomore. I didn't have a high school kid with me, though. That's probably the bigger issue.

Problem here is the two kids are similar in age, they are more likely to facilitate and cover for each other having a party than stop the other. Makes sense the parents want someone there to watch the place.

[Anonymous]

Sounds like they know something you don’t. I can think of many reasons that the situation you stated could result in liability for them. Probably cheaper to pay a house sitter.

[Anonymous]

The fact that you are here whining and complaining speaks to your low maturity level, Op.

[Anonymous]

Very strange. Do they know this 50 year old housesitter? I'd much rather chance my older teens having a party than put them at risk by having a stranger stay in the house with them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They're the parents and you're not. Sounds like you guys want to plan a party though -- why else would you care so much?

And how old are you?

Early 30s and have toddlers, plus I live two hours away so definitely not planning parties!

This is absolutely and 100 percent none of your business. Your siblings are much younger than you and live hours away. You must have barely lived with them as kids and have no idea how they conduct themselves. You’re not the parent and you’re not helping.

[Anonymous]

I would trust my son and daughter (similar ages) in this scenario, because they're intolerant to alcohol and are not the opposite of party people. Ha.

But as you can see from the responses, OP, a lot of parents know their kids would take that opportunity. I can't tell you whether your parents are right or not. I'll just tell you, kindly, that this should not be a hill to die on. In the greater scheme of things, it doesn't matter. And if your parents are truly unpleasant, unjust people, I'm sure they've done much worse to you guys in your lives... this is nothing.