AITAH for Refusing to Take Care of My Younger Siblings Anymore?

Hi, I Beck (16M), along with my twin sister Emma (16F), am the oldest of six kids. Our parents, Michael (45M) and Laura (43F), have always emphasized the importance of family, but that has often translated into Emma and me taking on a lot of responsibility for our younger siblings. It’s been this way for as long as I can remember.

We have three biological siblings: Oliver (12M), Sophie (8F), and Ellie (6F). About two years ago, my parents decided to adopt another child, Caleb (4M), and last year, my mom gave birth to twins, Noah and Lily (1F). So now there are eight of us, and it feels like all the pressure of helping raise this big family has fallen squarely on Emma and me.

Before Caleb came into the picture, things were already overwhelming. Emma and I basically helped with everything—homework, dinner, baths, bedtime routines. We missed out on a lot of our own childhood because we were busy raising our siblings. When my parents told us they were adopting, Emma and I were shocked. We tried to explain how much pressure we were already under, but they brushed us off, saying we were overreacting and that this was an opportunity to "teach us responsibility."

Then, when Caleb arrived, the workload doubled. And just when we were adjusting, they dropped the bombshell that my mom was pregnant with twins. Emma and I were furious. We begged them not to expand the family further, explaining that we were already stretched too thin. They told us we were being selfish and that as the oldest, it’s our duty to help out.

Now, with Noah and Lily here, I’ve hit my breaking point. I’m essentially a third parent. I can’t go out with my friends without getting guilt-tripped. Emma had to quit her after-school drama club because my parents needed her at home to help with the babies. And whenever we bring up how unfair this is, my parents act like we’re ungrateful and that "family comes first."

Last week, I finally snapped. My parents asked me to cancel plans to babysit again. I told them no, that I wasn’t their unpaid nanny, and they needed to take responsibility for the family they chose to have. My dad called me disrespectful, and my mom cried, saying they’ve done everything for us and that we should want to help. Emma backed me up, saying we’re tired of missing out on being teenagers because of their decisions.

Now, they’re barely speaking to us. Oliver overheard the argument and said we’re being selfish for not helping out. I feel terrible because I love my siblings, but I don’t think it’s fair that my life is on hold because my parents can’t manage the family they chose to have.

So, AITA for refusing to keep taking care of my younger siblings?