How much responsibility is too much to put on an older sibling when caring for their brothers and sisters? Some parents choose a certain age when they think it's appropriate, and some states have very specific laws about when a child can be left without adult supervision. It certainly is different for each family, but can we all agree that putting a 7-year-old in charge of an infant is a bit too much?
A set of parents certainly didn't think so when they allegedly left their young daughter in charge of her baby sibling. But this wasn't at home; these parents reportedly took their irresponsibility on the road and left the little girl to watch the baby in public. Oh, and this story gets even richer. Some say they ditched their kid to ride a roller coaster at SeaWorld San Diego. Of course, there is TikTok footage, which is too good to miss.
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A concerned park guest noticed the children alone and sprang into action.
TikToker Crazy Neighbor, @mycrazyneighbori105 on the social media platform, started filming and brought the situation to the attention of a park employee. The baby is screaming, as little babies often do, and the child does her best to comfort the infant. That is when she and another child explain that their parents are allegedly on a roller coaster.
The innocent kids wave at their parents as they whip by on the ride. Although they seem happy to see them, watching them is pretty heartbreaking. It certainly gives the impression that this kind of thing may have happened before.
The kids were allegedly alone for a long time.
Crazy Neighbor claimed the kids were standing with the baby for at least "25 minutes" while the adults waited for their turn on the Emperor, a giant coaster in the park. When she spoke to a park employee, he reportedly told Crazy Neighbor that this was not OK. The situation made many people in the comment section concerned for the children's safety.
"I'm glad you spoke out. That's beyond neglectful," one comment reads.
"Thank you for doing what you did.! That's all I have to say god put you at the place and time for a reason.! Amen for you and the baby," another person praised.
Some hoped the parents had strict consequences.
"I hope those parents had CPS called on them. So glad you stayed to make sure that baby was OK!!!" someone else wrote.
Several people on TikTok asked for more information.
The first video has 3.8 million views, and part two has 4.6 million views. Crazy Neighbor addressed concerns in the comment section. Some people believed she was trying to boost views on her TikTok page and condemned her for filming the child and not acting more quickly.
Crazy Neighbor explained that several other families were present, and they were all trying to help with the baby and the little girl. She said no one is blaming the child for the infant's cries or not knowing how to handle the situation. Instead, that all lies on the parents' shoulders.
"She was frustrated. She kept on rocking the stroller, she kept on hitting the stroller. She kept saying, 'Is this thing ever going to shut up? I never want to do this again,'" the TikToker said.
OK, but can you blame her? Plenty of adults find themselves pretty worked up when they can't get their baby to stop crying. Imagine being a little kid. It had to be so hard for her.
The mom and dad eventually showed up like nothing was wrong.
At the end of Crazy Neighbor's second video, we finally get a look at the parents. The young girl runs to her mom and dad, who seem to be beaming.
"Are you freaking kidding me?" Crazy Neighbor asks. "What is wrong with you guys? What is wrong with you guys? You don't do that."
The mother then tends to the baby, and the clip is over. Their little girl appears to say she doesn't want to be left alone with the baby again, but it is unclear. At no point in the clip do the parents apologize or acknowledge Crazy Neighbor.
Thankfully for the parents, Crazy Neighbor and other adults stepped in.
Not that these parents deserve any grace, but Crazy Neighbor and the other adults could have walked away or done nothing. Thankfully, they didn't. In no way should that poor little girl be left in charge of a baby.
"I thank God that nothing happened to those babies and you are so right about all of this. God bless you and your family," someone commented on the second video.
Some noticed the parents' attitudes, "And the fact they came back laughing and smiling yeah lmaooo Your definitely the ignorant one please never have children ."
"I think he was acting like it was funny but that's an act to hide behind the fact that you f—-ed up," another comment reads.
Who knows what could have happened if Crazy Neighbor hadn't stepped in? And we agree with her. This is not the older sister's fault. This is terrible parenting at its finest.
