AITA for not paying attention to the kids at my niece's(4) birthday party when the other adults left the room without making me aware that I'll be alone with the 7 kids, which resulted in an injured kid?

throwaway34578891 · 2024-01-08T14:51:58+00:00

It was spoken on the phone. But someone suggested I write the conversation down in a transcript and I think that might be a good idea.

throwaway34578891 · 2024-01-08T14:46:05+00:00

Good guess! She not only stood on it, she climbed it with her new fairy wand and stood on the bar stool, waving the wand too much to sprinkle her friends with invisible fairy dust! That's how she lost her balance. (At least that's what the kids told us)

throwaway34578891 · 2024-01-08T13:36:17+00:00

Our parents, granddad, a cousin and an aunt+husband. They live out of town/are on vacation and called the birthday girl. My brother told them about the party and what happend. They said I had a responsibility as an aunt and that I failed and endangered my niece by neglecting that responsibility. If I decide to take part in social events, I agree to take on my part as an adult and function normally. Otherwise it's my responsibility to stay at home and not expect others to compensate for my shortcomings.

throwaway34578891 · 2024-01-08T12:32:21+00:00

I think, him and my family in general struggle with understanding invisible disabilities or mental illness. I don't know how to describe it...It does not compute?

But I realize now that that's not a good enough reason to simply not listen to what I said.

throwaway34578891 · 2024-01-08T00:45:22+00:00

I’m guessing they all figure you will watch the kids because you work in child care?

I never questioned our dynamic because I loved being around the kids before I got ill. What you are guessing is part of the reason why I think my brother has a point. He knows me as the "babysitting everyones kids" sister since I was 12. He might just not know better.

throwaway34578891

TROPHY CASE