babysitting younger siblings

[Katy_G]

Hi guys I'm Katy. I'm not that new on here but I havent been an active poster but hopefully I'll change that, anyway... I just need to vent. My parents have been divorced since I was little. My dad got remarried right and he has 7 kids with my step mom ranging in age from 2-11. I used to stay with my dad like every other weekend and on holidays so I would watch the kids most of the time I was there but I didn't mind too much because I didn't see them that often. But my mom got a new job and she had to move out of the state and its my junior year and I didn't want to switch high schools so I just moved in with my dad. But ever since I moved in I get stuck babysitting all the time. And if I complain about it or tell my step mom, she gets mad and says I need to help my family and be a responsible older sister. And sometimes even after I have watched the kids all day, my step mom and dad come home and get mad about the house being dirty or something its so annoying! They won't me to watch 7 kids all day and come home to a spotless house its crazy. And I don't mean a couple of chores they won't like the whole house clean when they come back. I love the kids but I'm not their mom and I'm not the house keeper grrr!

[FreeFall]

Your step-mom sounds like her expectations are too high. You're being beyond a responsible older sister. But you're not their mom. You're still a kid yourself too, that's too much. Try talking to your dad about it?

[MangoLoop]

I would let your Dad know how you feel. Let him know that you are really trying, but you need some time to yourself. Try assigning chores out to the kids so that the house isn't too messy.

[dontfiguremeout]

You should talk to your dad telling him you don't mind babysitting your siblings, but it would be nice if you can get out of the house and enjoy time with your friends! And for the house to be spotless, how bout get your siblings to do a chore or two each every time you baby sit! So someone can be on bathroom and window duty, while another can do dusting and sweeping, and ect. But yeah, really talk to your dad and maybe make a plan list, so every (fill in the day(s)) you get to have the night or day off to yourself, weather your hanging out with your friends, or you simply just need to really relax at home!

[Cicero]

Maybe have the kids help out with those chores. Do a reward system, for every chore they help with they get a piece of candy. Also try talking to your dad and saying that it's putting to much pressure on you, and your not used of this.

[Katy_G]

Thanks Guys!
I talked to my dad about it and he said my step is working part time now and she needs the help but that he will try to hire a babysitter sometimes so that I'm not always doing it so will see if he sticks to his word lol. I am definitely gonna make the older kids help with chores I don't know why I didn't think of that before!