"Now, my dad and "Britney" now have a son who is a little under a year old. He and Britney are forever after me to take him for the afternoon or even most of the day, supposedly so we can form a sibling bond. I suspect they are trying to use me as free child care and have steadfastly refused, which has angered them to no end."
"I'd be tempted to tell your dad and stepmom a version of what you wrote: He's their son, and figuring out childcare is their responsibility. If you want to get to know your new sibling, of course, you should still have the opportunity to do so-but you can do that without becoming their go-to gratis babysitter, I'm sorry the fact that your dad and his wife feel entitled to free childcare is causing tension in your relationship."
A 25-year-old refuses to provide regular free childcare for her father's infant with his young wife, who pressures her to babysit to form a sibling bond. The daughter feels used and resentful. Communicate that childcare is the parents' responsibility and offer limited opportunities to bond without becoming the default babysitter. Set firm boundaries, declare a moratorium on the subject, and be prepared to end conversations or walk away when pressured. Protect personal time while allowing controlled interactions if desired to maintain the relationship without being exploited.
Read at Slate Magazine
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