'I’ve resorted to using ChatGPT to be sure I reply with empathy without having to engage myself too much emotionally:' Woman receives difficult texts from mother about grandmother's health, starts using ChatGPT to respond

Author image for Baiz Hoen
Baiz Hoen
Jan 24, 2025 7:00 AM EST

Advances in technology are supposed to help make our lives as humans much easier. From the microwave to the smartphone, there are countless ways that we as humans have automated our lives to improve our world outside of the mundane. The newest technological advancement on the scene is artificial intelligence, and people have taken to it to help with, well, pretty much everything. ChatGPT is the hottest AI technology right now, with students using it to help write their essays, computer programmers using it to help write code, the unemployed using it to write their cover letters, etc. You name it, Chat GPT can pretty much do it (with some careful prompting, of course.)

Can ChatGPT help with truly everything, though? One woman came to Reddit to ask about that. She's been using ChatGPT to help write texts in response to some hard messages her mom has been sending her about her grandmother's health. Death and sickness are two things that will always prevail despite technological efforts (although I guess we can't be so sure). Is this one of those situations where it's important to remain human? People can do hard things, that's for sure, but do we always have to? Read on to decide.


 

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    "AITAH for using ChatGPT to respond to texts from family?"

    This sounds awful, but it's always been difficult for me (28F) to relate to others and express my emotions. This has upset my mom and brother in the past, so I try to be very careful about what I say in respect of their feelings.
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    My grandma is on hospice care, and my mom sends regular updates to my brother and me. This includes very graphic details about my grandma's health along with photos, and it's been very upsetting for me to see this. I mentioned my discomfort to my brother, and he said it's just part of being an adult.
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    AITAH if I keep doing this or if I just ask my mom to stop sending graphic photos of injuries to me?
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    The AI debate begins...

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    NTA for wanting to set boundaries with your mom, but YTA if you don't directly address the issue with her. Using ChatGPT to craft empathetic responses might feel like a quick fix, but it's not a sustainable way to manage the situation. It could come off as impersonal and might deepen the emotional disconnect with your family if they find out, even if you mean well.
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    You absolutely have the right to ask your mom to stop sending graphic photos if it's upsetting you. It's not selfish to protect your emotional well-being. Have an honest conversation with her about how these updates are affecting you. Let her know you want to support her and your grandma, but you need the updates in a way that doesn't overwhelm you.
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    At the end of the day, your family should understand your need for space and respect your boundaries.
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    Do you think they used AI to write this, or...

    Just ask your mom to stop sending graphic photos. Say, "Mom, I can't deal with the gruesome snapshots you keep sending. I love having the updates on how grandma is doing, but I can't deal with the startling images and distressing photos."
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    If she doesn't stop, then block her. You can set a boundary on what comes into your inbox. Boundaries without consequences are just mild suggestions, so the consequence of her not respecting the boundary is that she gets blocked.
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    It sounds like you're going through a tough time, and using ChatGPT to help craft responses may be a way for you to manage your emotions while still showing care. However, it might be helpful to talk openly with your mom about how the graphic updates make you feel. It's okay to set boundaries around the way information is shared, especially if it's affecting your mental health. You're not the a hole for taking care of yourself emotionally.
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    NTA. you have to set boundaries. also sounds like you're on the spectrum.
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    YTA using ChatGPT to create faux responses is kinda disgusting in this situation tbh. It's also avoiding dealing with the real issue of you and your mothers inability to communicate to each other.
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    I hate this stuff too! Having to listen to this stuff is awful. Tell your mother you just want the headlines. Grandma's improving, or she had a good/bad night, if she says too much, remind her you "just want the headlines!" NTA
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    Not the AH. You're setting boundaries for your emotional well-being while still making an effort to respond with kindness and empathy. That's more than a lot of people would do when overwhelmed. It's okay to preserve your mental health, especially during a tough time like this.
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    It's understandable that you're feeling overwhelmed and trying to protect your emotional well-being. Using. ChatGPT to craft responses can be a helpful tool to manage the emotional load, but it might be more effective in the long run to have an honest conversation with your mom about your discomfort with the graphic details. It's okay to set
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    details. It's okay to set boundaries for your mental health, and communicating that gently can help everyone better understand your perspective without causing unnecessary stress for you.
    via Environmental-Elk554

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Tags

family drama aita AITAH chatGPT reddit story family texting Reddit artificial intelligence
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