Rachel, 30, and her younger sister Chloe had a clear arrangement: Chloe could live with Rachel’s family for $500/month—much cheaper than campus housing—in exchange for chores and babysitting every other Saturday night.
For two years, things went smoothly. But after Chloe got a serious boyfriend, she began complaining about babysitting cutting into her personal time. When Rachel reminded her of their agreement and suggested Chloe pay for a sitter if she didn’t want to babysit, Chloe became upset. Their parents sided with Chloe, saying she shouldn’t have to pay rent or babysit.
Tension grew, and Chloe decided to move back to campus. Rachel felt their deal was fair, but family pressure made the situation worse.
Advice: Try to calmly find a compromise, like splitting babysitting duties or costs. Have an open conversation, set boundaries with family, and focus on preserving the sisterly relationship.
