AITA for leaving my 4 year old nephew unsupervised?

Family favors often come with unspoken expectations, but what happens when those expectations clash with someone’s very real mental health struggles? I agreed to watch my 4-year-old nephew for what was supposed to be a quick half-hour errand. Instead, I was left in a situation that pushed me to the brink of a panic attack, with no end in sight. Now my sister and her husband are furious with me for leaving, but I can’t help wondering — am I really the one who failed here?

A Sister’s Favor Turns Into a Trap

The “Half an Hour” Promise That Never Was

Anxiety, Panic, and Zero Consideration

The Phone Call That Changed Everything

Drawing the Line: 15 Minutes or I’m Out

The Aftermath and Their Fury

The Real Question: Who Really Failed the Kid?

Let’s check out how Redditors are reacting to this situation.

In the end, I know my decision to walk out wasn’t ideal, but neither was being cornered into babysitting under pretenses while battling anxiety I can’t control. My sister may see it as betrayal, but I see it as protecting both myself and my nephew from a potentially worse situation. If she wants reliable childcare, she needs to ask someone capable — not force it on me and then blame me when things fall apart.