22-year-old raises 7-year-old sister alone after their mom leaves, almost gives in to the stress, until sister hands her a Mother's Day card: ‘I'm doing my best, she sees it’

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Bar Mor Hazut • Senior Editor
Jun 5, 2025 2:00 PM EDT

Since Lilo & Stitch was recently released in live-action, the subject of 'ohana' has been surfacing online more and more, and it is obviously an important discussion. None of us knows what we would do if we were in Nani's shoes–a young adult left to take care of a 6-year-old sister, without any support or financial stability. How do you cope, how do you balance the life of a guardian with the life you wanted to have for yourself?

In the movie (the animated version, since the live-action did not live up to anyone's expectations), Nani does anything in her power to keep Lilo with her and to maintain the little family they have created for themselves. Even though she struggles and sometimes even fails, she never gives up. 

Ohana means family, and family means no one gets left behind or forgotten.

Nani had to give up a lot to become her sister's guardian, but she never regretted it. It was all worth it, in the end. That is exactly what we imagine the sister in the story below is saying to herself right now.

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  • This 22-year-old girl was left to take care of her 7-year-old sister after their mom left them unexpectedly. She had to give up a lot to become her sister's guardian, but she did it anyway. And despite all the struggles, it finally feels like it's worth it.

    Keep scrolling to read the full story and find out why.

  • 01
    "I accidentally became my sister's parent"
    via Ketut Subiyanto

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

  • 02
    I'm 22. My little sister is 7. Our mom left last year. Said she needed "space" and never came back. Our dad was already in the picture barely once a month.
    via Significant-Koala-1
  • 03
    I was about to start my last year of college. Instead, I became a guardian. Got a second job. Moved us into a tiny studio. I've been packing lunches, scheduling
    via Significant-Koala-1
  • 04
    dentist appointments, and learning how to braid hair from YouTube. I haven't gone out in over a year. I cry in the shower because it's the
    via Significant-Koala-1
  • 05
    only time she can't hear me. I'm exhausted. But this morning, she handed me a card with glitter glue and crooked handwriting.
    via Significant-Koala-1
  • 06
    It said: "Happy Mother's Day. You're my mom now. I love you more than pizza." I laughed. I cried. I hugged her for so long she wriggled away.
    via Significant-Koala-1
  • 07
    I don't know if I'm doing it right. But I'm doing my best. And I think she sees that.
    via Significant-Koala-1
  • 08
    TheRealOwl All i can say is, that is definitively not something i would have been able to handle at 22. So its extremely understandable if its overwhelming, but sounds like you are doing an amazing job.
    via TheRealOwl
  • 09
    MelG146 More than pizza?? That's a big call! Congrats, you're doing everything right x
    via MelG146
  • 10
    mum
    via mediaphotos

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

  • 11
    Plantladyinthegreen I'm 42 and have 4 kids oldest about to be a high schooler and youngest is a kindergartner- I have no idea WT I'm doing on any given. day - but we are doing it.
    via Plantladyinthegreen
  • 12
    Somehow. Congrats on being pseudo mom and being loved more than pizza, that is a high compliment.
    via Plantladyinthegreen
  • 13
    Peskanov I'm so sorry you're going through this. If you're in the US, I hope you have all the legal documents to get govt help for your sister since she has been effectively
    via Peskanov
  • 14
    abandoned by your parents. This could help you not have to get that second job and hopefully not burn out too quickly.
    via Peskanov
  • 15
    Angelbearsmom Being a single parent is hard, it's even harder when you're thrust into the role unexpectedly. Your sister sees.
    via Angelbearsmom
  • 16
    your effort and appreciates you, she knows how hard you work to make her life as normal as possible. Keep up the good work, you got this!
    via Angelbearsmom
  • 17
    MmaRamotsweOS She sees that. She knows. Be very proud
    via MmaRamotsweOS
  • 18
    Corfiz74 You are awesome for stepping up for her! But in your place, I would contact your local CPS and formalize the arrangement, get official custody because your mom abandoned her, and go after your mom for child. support.
    via Corfiz74
  • 19
    Money_Smells LikeLove I hope they at LEAST pay you child support! How can they just walk out of your lives? Some people have children just for the sls and giggles I hate irresponsible parents. All children deserve parents but not all parents deserve children.
    via Money_SmellsLikeLove
  • 20
    Jojobabiebear From one big sister to another, you're doing everything just right. If you're cool with it, I'll give you an internet hug and can be your big sister when you need one (I'm 28) Love you girl, you f ☐ rock 1
    via Jojobabiebear
  • 21
    JakeVonFurth Well according to the new Lilo and Stitch I think it's clear that now you have to abandon her to a neighbor so you can study in an unnecessarily far uni.
    via JakeVonFurth

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family drama kids mother siblings work off my chest reddit story parenting family sister Reddit college parents children Father young adult
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