20-year-old refuses to take in sister, her 6-year-old son, and their dog after they get evicted: 'Where I live isn't big enough for 3 people'

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Ally Perry • Writer and Editor
May 8, 2025 9:00 AM EDT

Few things test a family relationship like when a relative falls on hard times. Most of the time, people expect those who are related to them to be the first to support them and offer help when they go through something difficult. This isn't always an unreasonable expectation, especially if they have helped them out in the past; however, there are often limits to what family members can do, and some can't help but stretch the boundaries. For example, most are not in a position to loan large amounts of money, and many have living circumstances where having somebody stay with them just isn't feasible.

Nonetheless, those in desperate situations (or who are just plain entitled) often overstep in what they ask of their relatives. It can lead to some major disagreements and resentments if they aren't careful, making the dilemma that they are dealing with even more complex when there was already a lot to consider.

 

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  • One young man found himself grappling with this after his sister, her 6-year-old son, and their dog were due to be evicted from their house, as their landlord was selling up. His sister requested that they temporarily move into his one-bedroom apartment as they looked for a new place, reasoning that she was too embarrassed to move back in with her mom at this stage of her life.

    The brother refused, explaining that there was not nearly enough space in his home for three people and a dog. She wasn't happy with his response, and he was left wondering if he had been too harsh on her.

  • 01
    Cheezburger Image 10502741760
    via Getty Images (Unsplash+)

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

  • 02

    AITA for refusing to take my sister and nephew in?

    I (20m) live in a 1 bedroom apartment alone with my cat. Recently my sister (30f) was kicked out of her house with my nephew (6m) due to the landlord deciding to sell. My sister asked if she could stay with me until she finds a new place as she feels awkward moving back to our mums at her age. I said sorry but no as where I live isn't big enough for 3 people and her dog. I told her to just move back home for a couple months because my mum wouldnt mind as she has a 3 bedroom house and lives alone
    via Ok-Breadfruit-3007
  • 03
    ETA: My mum lives a 5 minute walk away from me so its not a matter of convenience. Also forgot to add that her dog hates cats so it would mean my cat having to live with my mum until she finds somewhere to live.
    via Ok-Breadfruit-3007
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    Cheezburger Image 10502742016
    via Cătălin Dumitrașcu

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

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    Commenters were firmly on his side.

    Smarterthanuthink867 NTA. You have only a 1 bedroom apartment. You definitely don't have the room. Also, it's quite possible your landlord wouldn't even allow it. BTW tell your other sister you are thinking of your nephew. At your mom's he would have his own room. Where would he sleep at your place? On your couch?!
    via Smarterthanuthink867
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    Ok-Breadfruit-3007 OP From what ive gathered she wanted my bedroom for her and my nephew and I sleep in the living room
    via Ok-Breadfruit-3007
  • 07
    TreadingLife1038 how convenient for her. NTA - she can go home to momma.
    via TreadingLife1038
  • 08
    inductiononN Lol your sister is out of her mind. If I squint, I could maybe see her and her son take your bedroom but even that is ridiculous. Her taking your bedroom and you stay in the living room with her son? Absolutely not. Also, she had time to plan for this. The landlord can't just say they are selling and kick her out a week later. She didn't sort it out in time. Anyway, NTA and for the sake of your kitty, your nephew, and your sanity, do not cave to this ridiculous, entitled, selfish, a
    via inductiononN
  • 09
    celticmusebooks Why isn't your other sister taking her in?
    via celticmusebooks
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    Ok-Breadfruit-3007 OP She also has a little boy so she has no room.
    via Ok-Breadfruit-3007
  • 11
    celticmusebooks But you don't have room either. The obvious solution is for her to move in with HER mother.
    via celticmusebooks
  • 12
    BlondDee1970 NTA. You don't have the space and she has a place to live with your mom. Just because she doesn't want to move back home doesn't mean it becomes your responsibility to allow her to move in.
    via BlondDee1970
  • 13
    NTA. Let Them EatHay Cite the heartbeat law. You have 1 bedroom. 1 bedroom can legally accommodate 2 heartbeats. It's not legal and your landlord won't GAF if you're helping faaaaaaamily when he can be fined. Also, tell her to grow up. There's no shame in moving home to get on your feet. There IS shame in thinking you get to dictate who helps you get back on your feet.
    via LetThemEatHay
  • 14
    editrixe NTA. 2 adults a dog and a baby (and all the stuff that comes with a baby and dog) in a 1-br apartment does NOT work, and is particularly stupid when there's a free 3-br available at your mum's (with, one assumes, free and enthusiastic babysitting, to boot). I don't even understand your 2 sisters' insistence on using your small place; maybe there's something more about your mum? But in the absence of that information, seems blatantly obvious the only smart thing to do is for her to move
    via editrixe
  • 15
    Stunning-Advance1339 NTA. Your mom has a lot of space so your sister can definitely stay with her for some time. And if your other sister cares so much then why can't she take her in?
    via Stunning-Advance1339
  • 16
    NTA xoUniCat Why does your sister prefer to squish into a 1 bedroom where there is no room when there is a house with room available?? You know what is more awkward than being 30 (who cares the age btw) and living with your mom? Choosing to couchsurf at a siblings place with your kid.
    via xoUniCat
  • 17
    SisterLostSoul NTA. You are thinking of your nephew - there isn't enough room for 3 people and 2 pets. It's your sister who isn't putting her son's interests first because she feels "awkward." Really? That is pretty lame. I think it's far more awkward to ask for lodging from a 20-year-old sibling than one's parent. I think there's something she's not saying and your other sister knows what it is.
    via SisterLostSoul
  • 18
    Cute PandaMiranda NTA. Even if you had a bigger apartment that could accommodate her and her kid, you're not obligated to help/let them live with you. Don't fall for her manipulative guilt-tripping. Tell her to get over it and move in with your mom and leave it at that. My husband and I have the extra space in our home for people to stay. We've had many desperate cousins beg us to let them live with us temporarily and we always say no. They get mad and complaints other family members but we don'
    via CutePandaMiranda
  • 19
    OhmsWay-71 NTA. Of course NTA. First, she would have had notice that she needed to move and should have figured it out. Secondly, there is not enough room at your place but there is at your moms. It seems really selfish on her part to even expect this of you. Maybe she doesn't want your mom to see how she lives, maybe she was counting on you to help with the kids, who knows...but none of it has anything to do with you. Asking to stay is unreasonable. Being angry at you is ridiculous. Let them be
    via OhmsWay-71
  • 20
    No-Broccoli-5932 NTA. I live in a small one bedroom with my kitty. I can't imagine adding 2 other people and a dog. It's not like your sister and nephew will be living in their car if you say no. Your mom obviously doesn't mind and other sister seems open to letting people live with their sisters. Don't feel guilty. This is an unreasonable, and possibly lease breaking, request.
    via No-Broccoli-5932
  • 21
    Dereck_The_Dumb_34 NTA. Even if you really wanted to, you can't take them in. I'd tell her to eat her pride and ask your mother for help.
    via Dereck_The_Dumb_34

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