Some people think that just because you don’t have kids, you should be willing and available to watch their children anytime that it is needed.

What would you do if your sister asked you to pick her kids up from the airport, get them a hotel, and watch them for a full day in the city, but you initially said that you couldn’t because you had plans, but then changed your plans and agreed?

That is what happened to the uncle in this story, and instead of being appreciative for all he did for her kids, his sister talked badly about him to the rest of the family.

While it would be tempting to refuse to ever do something like this again, he will likely remain available because he loves his niece and nephew. Read through the full story and see what you think he should have done.

No good deed goes unpunished

Families! So my nephew threw a big lunch in Boston on a weekday for his daughter, who just graduated from college.

Family from all over are coming to this lunch.

Lots of family members were attending. I planned to drive up and back from NJ that day.

My niece in SF wanted her kids (ages 16 and 11) to attend. That would require them to land in Boston the night before, which would require them to get a hotel room.

This is really nice of him.

So, she tells me (doesn’t ask) to drive up to Boston the night before, meet them at the airport, get a hotel room, etc.

I balk at first as I had Broadway tickets that night. But I (70+) gave in. I am the uncle w no kids and thought this would be a good bonding moment between all the cousins. I joked that one of them is gonna have to take me in like 15 years from now.

It is great to spend time with family.

So, I drive up the night before, spend hundreds of dollars on a hotel (hello, Boston around Memorial Day and graduation time and getting a hotel at the last minute). Then meeting the kids at the airport, dinner that night and breakfast the following day.

Then getting them to the lunch, and then back to the airport. All in all, I am glad I did it; the family is scattered, and it was good to see everyone together.

He is surrounded by ungrateful people.

Here’s the thing: my niece is complaining to EVERYONE that I didn’t want to do it, that she had to yell at me to act responsibly (her words) and complained about the stress I caused her. All because I initially said no cuz I had Broadway tickets that night.

(To add to the theme of no good deed goes unpunished, the friend-of-a-friend who took my seat – for free – was passive aggressive about it, saying it was an imposition to reach out to him last minute and that he only did it as a favor to me. You’re welcome!)

He’ll never want to do it again.

Yeesh. I called her afterwards, one of those making sure the kids got home ok calls. And she lays into me about all the stress I caused. No thanks for babysitting her kids in a strange city.

I just replied that giving up my ticket and getting a hotel room cost me hundreds of dollars – I didn’t even mention the amount of hotel food her kids ate, and the cost. There was no reasoning w her, so I said I’m glad the kids got home ok and left it at that.

At least people will hear the truth.

As for making sure the family hears my side of the story, I communicated all this to my other niece (her sister).

She will make sure everyone knows about her sister’s tantrum (she lives for that stuff). Snarky, maybe, but I wanted my side of the story heard.

Such is life.

It is unfortunate that so many people have to deal with family drama like this. Why can’t people just be appreciative?

Read through the comments to see what others thought of the story.

The whole family knows how she is.

This is how single people are often treated.

I would love a friend like this as well.

His niece was really out of line.

If you enjoyed this story, check out this post about a brother who is concerned about the trouble with splitting funeral costs equally between siblings.

This commenter says to say no next time.

Unfortunately, he has to endure his niece to have a great relationship with her kids. At the end of the day, this is just one of those things you do for family.

At least the whole family is hearing the truth. Maybe his niece will change her ways, but I doubt it.