'I don't owe you a thing': Single Mom Refuses to Let Family Members Move in Despite Their Financial Struggles, Claiming They Didn’t Help Her When She Needed Them Most

Author image for Bar Mor Hazut
Bar Mor Hazut • Senior Editor
Jun 29, 2024 7:00 PM EDT

I firmly believe that being a single parent is one of the most challenging jobs in the world, and I salute every single parent out there for all their hard work. Not only do they have to raise their kid, or kids, all alone, but they have to work while doing it and maintaining a roof over their family's head. Some even do it without any help from the rest of their family, and still manage to take care of everything all alone.

Like the single mother in this Reddit story, who raised her son all alone, despite asking for help from her family. Because of that, when those same family members approached her and asked her for help, she was hesitant to respond, feeling like they didn't really deserve it. Eventually, it was her son who actually put his foot down and told his mom to refuse them altogether.

Keep scrolling to read the rest of the story. After you are done, click here for a collection of Harry Potter memes for magical girlies. 

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  • 01
    AITA for refusing to let my family move in because my 16-year-old son doesn't want them to?
    via u/Bubbly-Classroom3131
  • 02
    About five years ago, my husband cheated on me and then abandoned our family. It was an incredibly difficult time. I was left alone to raise our son, who was just 11 at the time. None of my family members offered any help
    via u/Bubbly-Classroom3131
  • 03
    or support. We were essentially on our own. The only person who helped us was my father, who was a great support system both emotionally and financially.
    via u/Bubbly-Classroom3131
  • 04
    When my father ped away two years ago, he left me a significant inheritance. This money allowed me to buy a house and provide a stable and comfortable life for my son and me. Since my husband
    via u/Bubbly-Classroom3131
  • 05
    left, my son and I have become very close. We've been through a lot together, and our bond is incredibly strong. I would do anything for him.
    via u/Bubbly-Classroom3131
  • 06
    Recently, some of my extended family members have fallen on hard times and asked if they could move in with us. Given our history, I was initially hesitant. I discussed it with my son, and he was very
    via u/Bubbly-Classroom3131
  • 07
    much against the idea. He remembers how nobody was there for us when we needed them the most and feels strongly that they shouldn't benefit from our home now.
    via u/Bubbly-Classroom3131
  • 08
    Understanding his feelings and valuing his comfort, I decided to tell my family that they couldn't move in with us. Now, they're upset and accusing me of being selfish and ungrateful. They say
    via u/Bubbly-Classroom3131
  • 09
    that I owe them support because we're family. I don't think I'm a ale and honestly don't care what they think as long as my baby is happy but I still want to hear other peoples opinions.
    via u/Bubbly-Classroom3131
  • 10
    So, AITA for refusing to let my family move in because my son doesn't want them to, especially considering the way they treated us when we were the ones in need?
    via u/Bubbly-Classroom3131
  • 11
    theworldisonfire8377 19 hr. ago Partassipant [2] Make it awkward. Send a group text or chat and tell them that you will give them the exact same level of support as you got when your husband cheated and took off and you were left raising a child on your own. Simple as that, and they will
    via u/theworldisonfire8377
  • 12
    either get the message and leave you alone or start pandering on with excuses. If they start with excuses, I'd go even more petty and use the same excuses back at them. Them: Oh well we didn't know it was so hard for you and we're past that now. You: I didn't know it was so hard for you, and well, you've already lost your house so we're past that now.
    via u/theworldisonfire8377
  • 13
    Hilarious that they all come out of the woodwork now that you have money. Idiots, all of them. I'd mess with them so badly just because they sound like absolutely awful people. NTA though, by a long shot. **I will add though, whatever you do, do NOT tell them that it was your son who influenced your decision. He does not need the flying monkeys to start attacking
    via u/theworldisonfire8377
  • 14
    him, and while it is admirable that you sought out his opinion because it's his home too, don't throw him under the bus, even by accident, with these people. They will go for him if they think it was "his fault" they don't get to exploit you.
    via u/theworldisonfire8377
  • 15
    Apart_Foundation1702 17 hr. ago Partassipant [2] Exactly! I'm still hung up on the "selfish and ungrateful" part! Ungrateful for what? Being left has a single mum with no emotional or financial help? As well as being heartbroken? Erm! I'm grateful to find out who my real family is! NTA! These people are users, your only family when they are struggling, but not when you where struggling!
    via u/Apart_Foundation1702
  • 16
    ieya404 19 hr. ago Professor Emeritass [93] They say that I owe them support because we're family. Now that's fascinating to hear, since five years ago, you needed support, and yet you got absolutely none.
    via u/ieya404
  • 17
    Maybe if they'd helped you and your son back then, he'd feel a lot more positive and want to help them in return. They made their choice then, they can live with the consequences now. Nobody is more important than your son. NTA.
    via u/ieya404
  • 18
    sitnquiet · 17 hr. ago Enthusiast [7] It blows me away that it's always "but FAAAAAAAMMMMILLLYYY" when they want something but it's crickets when you need something. NTA
    via u/sitnquiet
  • 19
    JeepersCreepers74 · 19 hr. ago Sultan of Sphincter [712] NTA, but if you have the nerve to tell them no, then have the nerve to tell them why. If they call you say, selfish or that you owe them, "As a single mom, I have a duty to be selfish when it comes to my son's well-being. He is my
    via u/JeepersCreepers74
  • 20
    immediate family and my first priority. You are extended family, family that did not offer to assist us during those tough years when we could have really used the support. I'm sorry you're in the situation you are, but my son and I are not the solution to your problems."
    via u/JeepersCreepers74
  • 21
    latents 19 hr. ago Poperintendant [50] They say that I owe them support because we're family. That's hilarious. By their own reasoning, then, they aren't family since they refused to support you. Speople who only take and never give back. NTA
    via u/latents
  • 22
    Biokabe 19 hr. ago Enthusiast [5] NTA, but you would be if you cited your son as the reason - just from the standpoint of not letting him be the target of their ire. Your initial hesitancy stems from your own experiences. Your son just happened to echo your own feelings.
    via u/Biokabe
  • 23
    I think both you and your son have the right impulse. If you hadn't been in need of help and been abandoned by the rest of your family, then their argument might have held water. However, they've already been tested and found wanting.
    via u/Biokabe

Tags

family drama aita drama kids mother wife reddit story parenting petty husband divorce family Reddit single mom parents children
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