Thanksgiving dinner is for adults: Woman requests her sister to leave her friend's kids at home, ignites online discussion

Hosting Thanksgiving is usually hectic tight deadlines, crowded kitchens, and endless shopping but it becomes even more stressful when plans unexpectedly shift. A woman on Reddit explained that she was preparing to host the holiday for the first time in her new home. Her sister had promised to help with the cooking and setup, but only a few days before the gathering, she announced she would be babysitting a friends three young children from early morning until late at night.

The host said her house was small, her dog didnt react well around children, and she couldnt understand how her sister could assist while supervising three kids. When she asked her sister to modify her plans or arrive later, her sister became upset, accusing her of not wanting the children there and threatening not to come at all. Now, the host fears the argument will spark family conflict before the holiday even begins.

She turned to Reddit to see if she was being unreasonable, and commenters had a lot to say. Many sided with the host, noting that bringing children into a home with a dog that dislikes kids is unsafe. One commenter wrote, Your strongest point is that your dog doesnt like kids. It simply isnt safe to bring them over. Another shared their personal experience: My dog adored children until we actually had kids visit. She completely panicked. I cant imagine trying to manage a dog, kids, and cooking a full holiday meal. Even friendly animals can become territorial.

Others emphasized that the sister should not bring children who arent hers into someone elses home without permission, especially on a major holiday. Anyone who agrees to babysit shouldnt bring kids to someone elses event, one person said. Another added, You never bring someone elses children or pets to a hosts home without asking first.

Some readers felt the sister had made her priorities clear. She committed to babysitting, which meant she wasnt truly available to help. A commenter noted, If your relatives think youre being unfair, they can volunteer to host your sister and the kids instead.

Others pointed out that bringing three children would inevitably shift responsibility onto the host. By bringing them to your home, your sister is essentially making you responsible for them while you're busy cooking, someone said. And beyond that, there are serious safety concerns.

Not everyone agreed with the host, though. Some praised the sister for helping a friend who may not have had other childcare options. Shes doing someone a kindness. Hopefully she and the kids still have a nice Thanksgiving together, one commenter wrote. A few suggested that the hosts husband could help more with preparations, making the workload more manageable even without the sisters support.

Others viewed the sisters actions as a meaningful gesture in the spirit of the holiday. One person wrote, Thanksgiving is about gratitude. Her friend would probably rather be home with her kids, but survival comes first. Its lucky she had someone willing to help.

One reader offered a practical compromise: It might not look like what you planned, but its still possible. The kids could watch a movie while your sister helps cook or you handle it yourself. Its Thanksgiving; things dont have to be perfect.

In the end, Thanksgiving often brings both warmth and tension. Hosting is already a challenge, and unexpected changes especially involving additional guests or young children can make the day even more complicated.

Author: Sophia Brooks