Fully remote 22-year-old's mother doesn't believe he's employed, so he gets an in-person job overseas to spite her: 'All of this because my last straw was forcing me to send out job applications'

Author image for Ben Weiss
Ben Weiss • Writer and Editor
Nov 22, 2025 7:00 AM EST

Some people face so much unnecessary pressure from their overbearing parents that the minute they can get out from under their grasp, they run for the hills.

That's certainly the case for this 22-year-old, who was given the sole responsibility of being his mother's caretaker. He even went so far as to secure a fully remote position at a company so that he could be physically present to watch her 24/7 should something go wrong. 

Well, it turns out that his mother was ungrateful for his presence and even suspected that he was lying about his job. It seems like she was unable to grasp the concept of fully remote work, so she went ahead and submitted resumes for her son without his approval to various jobs in the service industry.

No matter how hard this guy tried to convince his mother that he did, in fact, have a job, she didn't trust him. So, he interpreted her ingratitude for his decision to be near her as justification to begin looking for in-person work elsewhere. Eventually, he found the perfect opportunity for himself, one that would take him across the continent.

Add as a preferred
source on Google
Advertisement
  • A woman holds her fists in the air.
    via Engin Akyurt

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • "Want to force me to give out resumes when I already have a job? Fine then."

    I (22M) am the primary caretaker of one of my family members. Among other chronic illnesses, she is a diagnosed narcissist with early dementia.
    via Antih*teaccount_
  • As per my family's request, I moved with her and took an online job as a trilingual translator to ensure I would be there 24/7 should she have an emergency.
    via Antih*teaccount_
  • Somehow, she has interpreted my constant presence as me not having a job, despite me explaining several times that I did, in fact, work. She went to the point of stealing my ID and debit
    via Antih*teaccount_
  • card, saying she would not be giving them back to me unless I gave out resumes where she told me to. I have searched the whole house and couldn't find them so I was forced to comply.
    via Antih*teaccount_
  • have a huge amount of respect for people who work in these fields, but I am not taking a job as a cleaner or a cashier when I work in my field of choice. That's
    via Antih*teaccount_
  • when I noticed all the places she was forcing me to send out resumes to were requesting a cover letter.
    via Antih*teaccount_
  • A man in a blue crew neck covers his face with frustration.
    via Sander Sammy

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • This is where the malicious compliance takes place. I took an already written cover letter and changed some details so it'd be like I wrote it myself. I made her read it and approve it as per her request, then added the following sentences in my second paragraph:
    via Antih*teaccount_
  • "If this letter arrives on your desk, please know that this application has been sent without my consent. Already having an online full-time job, please do not take it into consideration."
    via Antih*teaccount_
  • As you can imagine, I didn't get called back much. Only one place sent me an email, and once I explained the situation their HR team wished me luck with my situation and told me this motivated them to read cover letters more carefully.
    via Antih*teaccount_
  • At the same time, I contacted my boss. I knew they sometimes open in-office positions and my boss is one of the nicest people I know, so I contacted her and asked if there was any way I could get the next in-office
    via Antih*teaccount_
  • position, telling her why exactly I was asking that. I've been working there for 6 months and she never had any complaints about me, so she sent me a permanent contract starting in January 2025 for their office. It's overseas, in a country where I'm legally allowed to work without a work visa.
    via Antih*teaccount_
  • I won't specify which country, since I have the intention of disappearing there. My flight is already booked, and only my best friend knows what is going on. I have a letter already written out
    via Antih*teaccount_
  • where I tell my family to not warn the authorities. As soon as I land my bank account will be closed and my phone subscription cancelled, and after 5 years, I will ask to become a citizen in that country and won't renew the paperwork necessary to prove my citizenship in my birth country.
    via Antih*teaccount_
  • I have 3 younger siblings, all of them are still in middle school. They have their own email addresses that our parents don't know about, so I will send them
    via Antih*teaccount_
  • an email telling them this is not their fault and that they're the only ones in the family who are allowed to contact me. I'll also add that I will answer to any questions they have once they turn 18.
    via Antih*teaccount_
  • I'm excited. I'm excited to start a new life, I'm excited to get out of this family who has been the source of most of my problems for my whole life. I'm excited to finally escape toxic people in a toxic environment that was destroying my mental health.
    via Antih*teaccount_
  • Only two months left and after 22 long years of waiting I'll finally be free. All of this because my last straw was forcing me to send out job applications.
    via Antih*teaccount_
  • Contrantier I'm glad you're escaping from all this, I kind of get the feeling you never wanted to do it in the first place. But you've got someone else who can step in and care for her after you leave, right?
    via Antih*teaccount_
  • [deleted] ⚫ Re-issue the ID and report the debit card lost. Problem solved.
    via Antih*teaccount_
  • UnlimitedElnk. Damn, not gonna lie, you had me in the first half, but then boy it escalated quickly!! Kudos to you for taking control on your life, and best of luck.
    via Antih*teaccount_

Want More? Follow Us and Add Us as a Preferred Source on Google.

Tags

family drama remote work mother job applications petty revenge family feud parenting employees family Parenting Fail
Scroll Down For The Next Article