Cat Owner Clashes With Parent After They Bluntly Refuse Paid Petsitting Over Concerns Of Getting “Bored”
A 28-year-old woman tried to buy her way into getting her parent to babysit her cat, and when the answer stayed “No,” she didn’t just feel rejected, she felt personally targeted.
Here’s where it gets messy: her parent has helped OP’s sibling in the past, so OP assumed the same deal would apply. But the parent refused this time, citing concerns that they might get “bored,” and OP is now stuck wondering if their anger is justified or if they’re making a bigger deal than necessary.
Reddit, naturally, had opinions, and the internet split fast between “your parent can refuse” and “you’re treating cat care like family obligation.”
Let’s dig into the details
A bit of backstory
OP has offered to pay their parent, in addition to other goodies, just so they will agree to babysit the cat
Despite all the offers, the answer remains “No.” What makes this more frustrating for OP is that their parent has helped their sibling in the past, but refuses to help them now
OP is pissed at their parent, but wants to know if this is an overreaction or a justified feeling
We gathered some interesting comments from the Reddit community
“I wouldn't want to care for this cat either, doubtless I'd do something wrong or not to your liking.”
This echoes the Redditor who refused to drive two hours daily to check on their parent’s cat.
“You cannot make an offer someone can't refuse. You are an adult, find a solution.”
“Your parent has the right to say ‘no’, without further comment.”
“YTA - your parents said no, grow up and find another solution.”
“Find a trusted cat sitter. Lock your stuff up if you are worried about it.”
“I get the bottled water thing, but the rest of your requests just seem extreme.”
“YTA- it’s not your parent’s responsibility to care for your cat.”
OP kept adding cash and “goodies” to the pitch, but the parent still shut it down for the cat, not the money.
The part that stings for OP is that the same parent helped their sibling before, so the “no” feels extra personal.
When OP hears “bored,” it sounds like a flimsy excuse, but commenters argued it’s still a reason they don’t owe anyone.
By the time Reddit called OP the asshole for demanding responsibility, the family favor story turned into a full-on blame game.
At face value, this is a simple no. But underneath, OP feels there’s something more.
However, Netizens insisted that their parent has every right to refuse the request, regardless of the incentives. In addition, they hammered that it was unreasonable to equate babysitting their sibling's child with babysitting a cat.
Do you agree with the Reddit community, or do you have a different take on this matter? Tell us in the comments.
Nobody wants to be guilted into cat sitting, especially when the parent already said no.
Want another family standoff, check out how a mom took offense when her adult son wouldn’t sleep with her baby.
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