When you are an older sibling who is asked to help care for your younger sister, it is natural to want what is best for her.

What would you do if your parents were having her take melatonin supplements every night, but you thought that was a bad and potentially dangerous choice?

That is what happened to the brother in this story, but the parents told him it was their choice and to mind his own business.

AITA for telling my parents that I think my 4 year old sister does not need to take melatonin every night?

I (recently 17 M) have gotten into an argument with my mother and step-father (39 and 44 respectively) regarding their insistence on supplementing my younger sister with sleeping aids (strawberry melatonin gummies).

Kids really should have no need to take melatonin supplements at all.

For context, my younger sister, who is 4, as mentioned in the title, has been taking melatonin supplements for almost the entirety of her life.

The exact age, I am uncertain of, but I know she was taking a liquid supplement before she could properly chew.

So this young man clearly knows that she has been getting these supplements a long time.

Furthermore, I have also assisted in taking care of my sister since she was born, enough for her to mistake me for “Daddy” a few times, as my father works as a trucker, and isn’t home often.

A few days ago, I spoke to my mother about the melatonin, and suggested that we try putting her to bed without it for a few nights, voicing my concerns about her prolonged usage and the potential effects it could have on her sleeping habits and health.

Her body should make the melatonin naturally.

In response, my mother insisted that my younger sister needs melatonin to rest throughout the entire night.

I reiterated that it wouldn’t hurt to try without it for a few nights, adding that it’s been a really long time since we’ve attempted to put her to bed without supplements, and that the age she was at when we did try to ween her off the melatonin is notorious for sleeping restlessly through the night.

In their defense, they are the parents and it is indeed up to them.

At this moment, is when things began to get heated. My step-father happened to walk in during my explanation, and he and my mother began to lecture me about how they’re the parents, and that I’m a child, and that I shouldn’t be trying to parent for them.

I was quite upset about this, feeling as though I deserve to have my concerns and words taken seriously, considering the time, effort, and energy I’ve put into making sure my younger sister grows up healthy and happy.

It seems that this is exactly what happened.

It felt as though I’d been delegated as an extra parent with none of the real authority behind it.

I voiced these opinions, albeit weakly, and was told again, that they are the parents, and that they will take care of my sister, and that I was being disrespectful and that I was overstepping.

He had his say, and they disregarded him.

I didn’t believe I was being disrespectful or that I was overstepping, and I said that I wasn’t. They did not appreciate that, to put it simply.

Since then, things have been tense.

My parents snap at the slightest suggestion or critique towards anything, not just things regarding my sister, and each have pulled me aside for 2 separate, private discussions reiterating my role in my sisters life (to summarize, I’m basically just a babysitter, and they’re the parents).

He’ll likely just have to let this go.

I’m feeling conflicted, confused, and honestly exhausted.

It is true that I’m not my sisters father, and that I am technically a minor, so I can see how my actions could have been seen as disrespectful, but I do think that my words have genuine merit to them.

AITA?

I can see how this would be frustrating since he is indeed right, but the parents aren’t breaking any laws, so there is not much he can do but let it go.

Let’s see what the people in the comments have to say about it.

This commenter says it likely won’t be helping.

Good question.

Sadly, this commenter is right.

This is quite interesting.

He could check the label.

Drugging your kids is never a good idea.

If you liked that story, check out this post about an oblivious CEO who tells a web developer to “act his wage”… and it results in 30% of the workforce being laid off.