Is this how people normally behave?

[FailingMum81]

So I'm asking for advice on this one as a) I don't know if this is normal behaviour and b) I'd like some opinions on how to tackle it to prevent me going crazy.

I have one dd14. We holiday once a year in the same place and she has made a general group of holiday friends who go the same time. They and us (parents) aren't in contact any other time than on hols. One other family who have a younger sibling (currently 7) demand the teenager keep the younger sibling with them at all times. This causes so many issues for the group of friends. They are a group of 8 (all 14 or 15). They want to do certain activities that teenagers do and also, because there is two lots of 4 they fit nicely in parents cars if they need a ride to an activity etc. However the 7 Yr old HAS to go everywhere....and I mean everywhere (bar the shower). If I offer to take some of the group out I get "well aren't you taking X'......DD also gets left with X (as do the other teens) if their sibling needs to go toilet, fetch a drink etc. It's putting alot of pressure on the teens to be responsible, massively restricting what they can do but also making me a bit peeved that their parents go off doing as they please all day while their teen and friends are childcare. I dont think I can explain enough how much they have to take him with them....quite literally everywhere and every second. I think it would be so much better for him going to the kids club to socialise with kids his own age as this is what they say "well he doesn't have any other friends".

Is this normal for a family with two or more children please?

You need to have it out with the parents, or pick a different week, or a different holiday destination.

I would just tell your daughter not to look after the younger child. The only one who can stop this is the child’s older sister. Unfortunately you will just have to leave her out. Don’t take the child anywhere. Once the older sister gets sick of being left out she will refuse to look after them.

You don't have to look after this kid nor does your dd. You don't have to drive this child. Yes it is shit for the older sibling and the parents are lazy. However it doesn't mean that it is your business nor can I see how it is your business. You could tell the family that you think they are selfish but I can't see this going down well The site won't care because the child is with his older sibling.

Not normal and not fair on either child or teenagers.

I think I’d have to say something about it being too much responsibility.

I am the younger sibling and this was how our family ran stuff. My older sisters still resent it and I say fair enough. Occasionally it’s fine but all the time is not fair at all and very wrong. Apparently as a 3 year old I messed up my sisters first date as was giving evils to the lad snogging my sister, I can’t remember.

I am 57 and my sisters are 64 and 70 and still mention it!

Whether it's normal or not, it isn't really any of your business.

You're just going to have to stop taking the older sibling places if you don't want your DD stuck with the little one.
Only invite 3 other teens to come in the car.
If the teen and sibling come to yours, send them home.

Ditto above message.
You could also get the number for the parents and message them in advance to let them know that you will be on holiday as a family and cannot/will not accept responsibility for their 7year old. Just say no! No need to justify/reason.

This ⬆️.