My sister has 2 kids she constantly dumps on me or our mom. And lately, it’s become unbearable, causing a huge family rift.”

“My younger sister, Alex, has always been a bit of a free spirit. Not even marriage and kids could slow her down. She’s always trying to dump her kids on me and our mom. Since I’ve been buried in studying for my master’s degree, I can’t take my nephews too often, but somehow our mom ends up babysitting them several days a week — and let’s just say, she’s not exactly in her prime anymore!

I tried to convince Mom this wasn’t fair and that Alex could totally hire a nanny, but, of course, no one listened to me.”
“I just graduated and, surprise, I’m jobless. And of course, my sister couldn’t resist taking advantage of the opportunity to score another free babysitter — me.

At first, I was excited to spend time with my nephews. She’d bring them over once a week with plenty of notice. But after a couple of weeks, she started showing up unannounced 3-4 times a week, with the most ridiculous excuses. When I tried to protest, she’d just shrug and say, ‘But you’re free.’

But yesterday, she crossed the line. She called and asked me to babysit so she could hang out with her friends. Gotta give her points for honesty this time, I guess. When I told her I had an important interview in my dream company, she replied, ‘Family comes first.’ That was the last straw. I snapped, yelled that I wasn’t her free nanny, and hung up.”
“Twenty minutes later, the doorbell rang. I opened the door and saw my nephews, standing alone on my doorstep with backpacks that their super-thrifty mother had carefully packed for them.

She just brought them in and left without a word. You have no idea how angry I was! I couldn’t leave them alone, and I couldn’t skip the interview. So, in a moment of desperation, I asked my neighbor to watch the kids for a couple of hours.”
“After the interview, I picked up my nephews from my neighbor’s house. My anger and desire for revenge took over, and I decided it was time to teach their neglectful mother a lesson. I knew exactly where she’d be—at the cafe with her friends. So, I marched in, dropped the kids off, and asked the receptionist to take them straight to my sister’s table, telling her, ‘Babysitting hours are officially over.’

A couple of minutes later, she started calling my phone, but I didn’t pick up. Eventually, I just blocked her number.”
“About 20 minutes later, my Mom called, and wow, she came in hot, ‘You’re such a selfish aunt and sister! How could you just leave your poor nephews like that? You could reschedule your interview. It wouldn’t be a big deal. They are your family — your blood!’ She was laying on the guilt thicker than Thanksgiving gravy. I was shocked by the sheer devaluing of it all. Since when is hanging out with friends more important than a job interview?

So, it’s been two weeks since the Great Family Drama, and here’s where we’re at: my Mom is giving me the silent treatment, and my sister is demanding an apology (spoiler alert: she’s not getting one because I’m convinced I was 100% in the right).

Now, I need your advice, dear Bright Side team and readers. How do I get my point across to my family without it turning into Big Drama? And how do I finally set some proper boundaries? Honestly, did I mess up here, or am I just dealing with a case of entitled parent syndrome?”