AITAH for Refusing to Babysit My Nephew After He Destroyed My $2,000 PC?
Let me start by saying I love my family, but what happened last weekend crossed every boundary imaginable. My $2,000 gaming PC – my pride and joy – was completely destroyed by my 10-year-old nephew during what was supposed to be a simple babysitting favor. Now my sister expects me to keep watching him like nothing happened. Am I really the a**hole here for putting my foot down?
The PC Setup
For context, I’ve spent years building my dream gaming rig. Custom liquid cooling, RTX 4090, the works. This wasn’t just some Walmart computer – it represented countless hours of work and saving. My home office is my sanctuary, and everyone knows my PC is off-limits.
The Babysitting Favor
Last Saturday, my sister begged me to watch my nephew Jason for “just a few hours” while she handled an emergency. I reluctantly agreed, making it abundantly clear he wasn’t to touch my computer. I even set him up with his Switch in the living room with snacks. What could go wrong?
The Destruction
I stepped out to use the bathroom – three minutes max. When I returned, Jason had my PC case open and was pouring a Mountain Dew into the cooling system while “helping me clean it.” The motherboard was fried, GPU covered in sticky soda, and my custom cables ruined. I nearly had a heart attack.
The Aftermath
My sister’s response? “Boys will be boys” and “It’s just a computer.” She refused to pay for damages, claiming I should’ve childproofed better. Meanwhile, Jason thought it was hilarious – no apology, no remorse. That’s when I dropped the bomb: I would never babysit again.
The Family Backlash
Now our entire family is blowing up my phone. They say I’m overreacting, that family helps family no matter what. But here’s the thing – they’re not the ones out $2,000. My parents even offered to pay half “to keep the peace,” but it’s not about the money anymore. It’s about respect and accountability.
Setting Boundaries
I’ve drawn my line in the sand: no unsupervised time with Jason until he demonstrates responsibility and my sister takes accountability. Some say I’m being too harsh on a kid, but 10 is old enough to know better. If they can’t respect my property, they don’t get access to my time.
Your Verdict
So tell me honestly – AITAH for refusing to babysit after this incident? Should I swallow my pride and let it go for family harmony? Or was this the final straw in a pattern of disrespect? Sound off in the comments!
Update: Since posting this elsewhere, Jason admitted he did it on purpose because I wouldn’t let him play Fortnite on my PC. My sister still insists I’m overreacting. The plot thickens…
What would YOU do in my situation? Let’s discuss in the comments – have you ever had to set hard boundaries with family over destroyed property? How did it turn out?
