Family promises can be easy to make when things are simple, but keeping them is a different story when reality hits.

So, what would you do if your sibling insisted on taking responsibility for a parent’s care, only to back out when things became overwhelming?

Would you drop everything and pick up the pieces? Or would you call them out for dropping the ball?

In today’s story, one man finds himself in this exact scenario and opts for the latter.

Here’s how it all played out.

AITA for yelling at my sister for being stressed about taking care of my Dad?

Two years ago, I offered for my father to come live with me.

Our home is spacious and well-equipped to accommodate him, and I wanted to ensure he felt supported after the person he had been caring for passed away.

I even arranged travel for him to visit and explore the area.

His sister didn’t like that idea.

However, my sister strongly objected, assuring the family that she would take responsibility for his well-being and help him establish housing on their property.

At the time, my father decided not to fly, as he had never done so before, and chose to remain in his own home, less than an hour from my sister.

He was still largely independent and didn’t yet require daily support.

Again, he offered the same solution, but it was declined.

Over the past year, his health began to decline, including unexplained weight loss.

I extended the same offer again and made arrangements for him to move, but my sister again convinced him to stay nearby.

So I did all I could from here and let the issue go. I helped him retire and set up social security for him, but I couldn’t do any of the state things that he needed at the time.

His dad needed help.

Recently, he experienced a medical emergency.

When he reached out to my sister for help getting to the hospital, she said she couldn’t take him for another 24 hours due to her schedule.

He eventually made it to the hospital with her, where he was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. He has had cancer in the past, and a recurrence was always a possibility.

Suddenly, his sister no longer wants to help their father.

Now, my sister has shared that she is emotionally unable to take care of him.

Despite previously insisting she would take on this responsibility, she is currently unwilling to assist with essential support tasks such as applying for SNAP, disability, or long-term care services.

She has also refused to accept any guidance from my wife and me, even though we are both medical professionals.

It’s difficult watching this unfold, especially after she was repeatedly told that keeping him close was the best decision.

He can’t leave due to family and work obligations.

Now that the situation has become more challenging, she is stepping back from the commitment she insisted on making.

He doesn’t know how bad the cancer is and will be receiving the news from his doctors this afternoon.

It will be too late for him to switch things over to my state, and the best he can do now is palliative care.

She keeps telling me I need to deal with it and fly in now, but I can’t. I have young kids and a busy schedule now.

AITA?

Wow! What a sad and very stressful situation for everyone.

Let’s check out what the folks over at Reddit have to say about this whole situation.

This reader thinks he offered enough already.

Here’s a great way to look at it.

According to this person, the sister made a promise and needs to keep it.

Yet another person who thinks the sister is wrong.

There must be another option.

If you enjoyed that story, read this one about a mom who was forced to bring her three kids with her to apply for government benefits, but ended up getting the job of her dreams.