Jail for slapping brother if I'm his nanny?

[Vic.Rose.Jay]

I am 19 years old living in WA State, and have been the emotional and physical caregiver to my three younger siblings since I was 16 due to the lack of a parental role in the house following our parents divorce, as well as the fact that one of my siblings with autism had been expelled and I became their tutor while homeschooling myself. When I turned 17 I was given the option to continue watching my siblings as a nanny for a steady income so that I could start to pay rent, I agreed in order to save up for my own car/home.

Yesterday I slapped my youngest brother, and my moms response was that could get me placed in jail, as now that I am the caretaker for the house and kids I can't think of myself as a sibling but a parent and slapping him is child abuse. My father (who I am not on good terms with) would be the one who will most likely take me to court when he hears of this. My brother is 11 years old, and physically the size and strength of a grown man. He became physical first (attempting to slam my hands in a drawer, spraying me with water, getting in my face and pushing my shoulders, ect.), and although I know I am his nanny we are siblings as well and at the end of the day, I don't think any parental role I have will overcome that.

I am not one to get physical, I really detest it and have only gotten physical twice before with the kids, once in self defense against an attack with a weapon, another in defending my mother. I know slapping isn't right, and I feel like crap for it because while his aggression is not an uncommon occurrence, my physical reaction is. Another factor of this is that for the past 9 months, I have had no income from this job. While I have lowered rent during which time, I am caring for the home and kids over 60 hours a week on average along with my newborn baby.

Would the situation above go into the realms of sibling rivalry, or child abuse?

 

[PayrollHRGuy]

It sounds to be that you are way over your head and have been for a number of years. This isn't your fault but you really need to find ways to get out of it now that you are an adult.

Yes, you could be charged with a crime. A slap is not generally a defensive action. It is certainly not a way to deal with an autistic person much less autistic child.

 

[HRZ]

Corporal punishment is allowed in WA if administered by a parent or her agent .

If you are not being reasonably compensated for working such long hours as you state then it is time to pick up and move out . ( Some of my acquaintances are being paid as live in care givers under apparently less taxing and demanding situations ..they earn $20 per hour net of taxes etc and the employer provides meals. And absent debate about the law and OT rates if they work more than 40 hrs a week they sure as heck get paid for the hours .)

IF your brother has special needs I very seriously doubt his needs for appropriate education are being met via home schooling....your brother needs and deserves a public school program consistent with his special needs ...an IEP !!!

Y

 

[adjusterjack]

along with my newborn baby.

Along with this tragic and untenable family and financial situation you are in, you went out and got yourself pregnant? Where is the father of your newborn baby and why isn't he supporting both of you?

smh

 

[PayrollHRGuy]

Missed that. But even more reason to get out of the house.

 

[not2cleverRed]

FYI: Next time your sibling starts acting out like that, call 911 rather than slapping him. If this behavior is typical of your sibling, then his problems are beyond the capabilities of your household to handle, and you will need the documentation in order to be able to get help on his behalf. This may require removing him entirely from the household.

For the sake of yourself and your child you need to be out of this household. Tomorrow the baby could be the source of your sibling's rage.

 

[Just Blue]

FYI: Next time your sibling starts acting out like that, call 911 rather than slapping him. If this behavior is typical of your sibling, then his problems are beyond the capabilities of your household to handle, and you will need the documentation in order to be able to get help on his behalf. This may require removing him entirely from the household.

For the sake of yourself and your child you need to be out of this household. Tomorrow the baby could be the source of your sibling's rage.

Excellent post!

 

[HRZ]

Your divorced parents might have a duty to support thier son until he is self supporting and that might be a darn long time.....and personally I think his odds of becoming self supporting are a lot better if he is enrolled in school with an IEP appropriate to his needs .

But you have no legal or moral duty to be a slave to the situation, get the heck OUT !