25-year-old man claims he’s an “only child” after siblings have no relationship with him, cousin calls his bluff at family party: “You’re childish and a liar”

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Briana Viser • Writer and Editor
Apr 6, 2025 3:00 PM EDT

Family is one of the most important things in our lives. It causes us some of the most heartwarming feelings, as well as some of the most headaches we've ever experienced. Family never seems to cease knowing how to push our buttons, inflaming our emotions, and unfurling our childish instincts that we so strongly attempt to leave behind us. In the midst of a family argument, you may say something you could regret later on, but in the moment it feels like you can't help yourself. For people who lose their patience with family easily, it's completely understandable. 

In the story below, the protagonist is a man who was born out of an affair. His parents were both cheating on their spouses, and made the decision to get together when the woman got pregnant. I feel for the protagonist, but I can absolutely understand his siblings holding onto resentment about the situation, that may manifest in them putting resentment towards him. It's only natural. So if you want to know all the juicy details, scroll down to read more. 

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  • 01

    AITA I'm a double affair baby who was rejected by both sets of siblings so I say I'm an only child?

    "If they don't count me, why should I count them?"
    via Klubovy from Getty Images Signature / Canva

    This image is for illustration only, and the subjects are models; the image does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 02
    I'm (25m) a double affair baby meaning my mom and dad were both married to other people, cheated on their spouses and conceived me. They ended up marrying each other after their divorces were finalized and they raised me together. Their kids from their first marriages did not
    via u/CommunicationLazy974
  • 03
    accept me and do not claim me as a sibling. I always felt their hostility when I was a kid. They were all moved out by the time I was 9 and I saw them a handful of times after, the last being 7 years ago, and those handful of times they were very clear about not wanting to talk to me and how I was not their brother or their
    via u/CommunicationLazy974
  • 04
    Because of all this I claim I'm an only child when people ask. I never say I have siblings, half or otherwise. That's just my preference and I find it easier. Plus I only have siblings through genetics. Not through a bond or anything else. I'm pretty sure they would all leave me for de d on the side of the road if the chance ever occurred.
    via u/CommunicationLazy974
  • 05
    This became a topic because I'm engaged to the cousin of a former childhood friend. He and I were friends most of our lives until we hit junior year and he turned into a real and our friendship ended. My fiancée and I met years later and she knows my background and she said she would also consider me an only child also. So she has zero issues.
    via u/CommunicationLazy974
  • 06
    She also has issues with her cousin. I didn't even realize they were related until a while later. But in the last couple of months he's appeared at a couple of family parties and he brought up the fact I claim the only child label. He never had an issue with it before but he said I was being childish and a liar by claiming that I am.
    via u/CommunicationLazy974

  • It's just one of those days where you wake up and realize you were given a pretty bad deck of cards to play life. When shuffling, all you get are 0's, 1's, or just a card that tells you to go to jail and you can't get out easily. The game of life isn't fair, but that doesn't make it easier to deal with. 

  • 07
    hu to marry me (off) marriage n c.n (a that makes uniting of a ma and woman by religious and wif leg en a mariage eremony. Ved a churma iage. to hav น. of the state of ing united sh wife: ur marriage Jose ining (of idea etc): Their heriginality and of a very
    via ruigsantos from Getty Images / Canva

    This image is for illustration only, and the subjects are models; the image does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 08
    Then I have a few relatives (not my parents I'm no contact with them) who get upset when they realize I don't claim my siblings. We have discussed how if they don't claim me or count me when talking about siblings they have. then I won't count them. The family members tell me that could change and I could avoid
    via u/CommunicationLazy974
  • 09
    awkwardness by letting people know so if I have a relationship with any of them in the future I won't end up with egg on my face. AITA?
    via u/CommunicationLazy974
  • 10
    Coffee4Redhead I had a friend who called himself a "one of a kind" He also had many other sets of half and step siblings but was his mom and dad's only child together. Maybe you should call yourself one of a kind too
    via u/Coffee4Redhead
  • 11
    Ixivbit The other way to approach this topic is with glee. Because it is a weird scenario that few ever encounter it makes for an interesting story. Mine is similarly weird and I have the story down pat because I've told it so many times. It is your story.
    via u/Ixivbit
  • 12
    Your life. Make it exciting instead of traumatic. Make it humourous instead of sad. Laugh at/about your idiot parents for their complete mismanagement of the whole situation.
    via u/Ixivbit
  • 13
    You are in fact an only child. You have half siblings but genetically you are an only child. Be brave and build your own family that is more inclusive and less annoying. Pick the people you want to hang with and feel free to walk away from any conversation you don't wish to repeat.
    via u/Ixivbit
  • 14
    NTA. Embrace the life you have been given, and live it to the fullest.
    via u/Ixivbit
  • 15
    DiligentEffect280 My husband is estranged from his parents and siblings, by his choice. We claim he's an orphan. Anyone who knows us well knows the whole situation, and that's all that matters. Who cares what people in passing think/know.
    via u/DiligentEffect280
  • 16
    Cheezburger Image 10490539776
    via Kangah from Getty Images Signature / Canva

    This image is for illustration only, and the subjects are models; the image does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 17
    Mission-Guarante... NTA. They clearly don't give a sh about you, (or jealous) why would you?
    via u/Mission-Guarantee140
  • 18
    Left-Art-1045 NTA. Unfortunately you were the product of an affair. You have to live with the bad. behavior of your parents. Let's be honest for a moment, on some level you must understand that you represent hurt for these half
    via u/Left-Art-1045
  • 19
    siblings. You didn't ask for this to happen, and they certainly didn't either. Go on with your life, and continue to accept this is the way it is going to be.
    via u/Left-Art-1045
  • 20
    DJ4116 ΝΤΑ It's perfectly normal for siblings to not want anything to do with the affair kid. They don't claim you, why would you claim them?
    via u/DJ4116
  • 21
    Notaelephant Look him de d in the eyes and ask what happened to you dude that you're so bitter?
    via u/Notaelephant
  • 22
    Civer_Black First it s ks that your „siblings” blame you for something you had no control over. Your parents broke their marriages and destroyed the families they had. Sure they were just children as well but maybe
    via u/Civer_Black
  • 23
    they will realize later in life that they are hating the wrong person.
    via u/Civer_Black
  • 24
    Secondly if ever one of your „siblings" would reach out, apologize and start having a relationship with you and they don't understand why you didn't claim them as a sibling before you had a relationship, than they don't deserve that relationship anyway.
    via u/Civer_Black
  • 25
    EuropeSusan NTA and you could say you grew up as an only child. that would be the bare truth. the rest of the story doesn't matter and you are not obligated to tell anyone.
    via u/EuropeSusan

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