AITA for not taking my sister's parrot (which I "promised" to take care of at 9)?

Submitted ⁨⁨11⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago⁩ by ⁨bot@lemmit.online [bot]⁩ to ⁨AmItheAsshole@lemmit.online⁩

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The original was posted on /r/AmItheAsshole by /u/RevolutionBackpack on 2023-08-01 01:34:43.

So here’s the backstory. When I was just a 9-year-old and my sis (Jane) was 16, she got this African Grey parrot, Pepper, using her job money. She totally LOVED this bird. One day, she made me swear that if anything ever happened to her, I’d look after Pepper. Me, being a goofy kid, I was like, “Sure, why not?”

Fast forward 20 yrs later, Jane is totally fine but she’s got this killer job offer overseas. She has to move into company housing where pets aren’t allowed. Now she’s saying I have to stick to my “promise” and take care of Pepper.

But, here’s the deal, I’m in no shape to care for a bird. I’ve got a small apartment with no outdoor space, I’m super busy with my job. Plus, Pepper isn’t the easiest bird - he really only likes Jane and can get all cranky without her. To top it off, these birds can live for like 60 years - Pepper’s only halfway there. And, if you didn’t know, these things are LOUD.

Despite this, Jane’s all like “you promised!” and even brought our parents into it. They think I should somehow work it out because Jane’s got this big opportunity and, in their words, “Your word is your bond.”

I feel like I’m losing my mind here. I was 9! Yeah, I did make that promise, but come on. I had no clue what I was saying yes to. Now, my family’s acting like I’m some kind of villain.

So, Reddit, hit me with it. AITA for not wanting to take care of Pepper, the parrot I “promised” to look after when I was all of 9 years old?

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intensely_human@lemm.ee ⁨11⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago
Hell no NTA. Even if we’re going to pretend a 9-year-old’s promise should bind a 29-year old, your promise was to take care of the bird if anything happened to your sister.

Nothing’s happening to her. She’s willingly splitting to another country to pursue her life goals. That is not the scenario you promised about.

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ArcticAmphibian@lemmus.org ⁨11⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago
NTA. Forget the people - think about the bird. Explain to Jane that if she loves the bird, she should let you find it a home that’s more suited to it. That bird will be miserable and depressed in your cramped little apartment, left alone for most of the day. These birds need interaction to be healthy. For the sake of the bird, do NOT keep it if you’re not a good fit.

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