Dad installs mini fridge in his 14-year-old son's room after his sister's two teen sons continually eat his food, which he buys with his own money: ‘Everyone's giving me and Dylan the silent treatment’

Author image for Lana DeGaetano
Lana DeGaetano • "Show me to me please."
Dec 18, 2025 5:00 PM EST

Even when you take a risk and let extended family live with you against your better judgment, you aren't rewarded… You're reminded why that was a risky decision to make.

Around the holidays, you likely have extended family visit you from all around, or you're the nomadic guest who has to sleep on the couch for an uncomfortable long weekend. The things we do for the ones we love, right? When we host family members, it's normal that we expect a certain level of decorum. Just because you are family does not mean you can treat someone else's living space like a pig sty, but you're likely not doing that in the first place. Your family? Maybe.

The father featured in the tale below explains that he and his wife took in their sister and her two boys because she lost her job. Family doesn't leave family on the street, even if the last thing you want is three more untidy, entitled guests in your home…

Teenagers touch things they shouldn't, such as groceries they are specifically told not to eat. The father explains that his two nephews began eating his son's groceries, which he buys with his own money, and their mother refuses to reprimand them. So, what is there to do? Buy a mini fridge, and tell his two nephews, "too bad."

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  • 01
    two young boys and one older woman eating food
    via Tahir osman For Unsplash+

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

  • 02

    "AITA for installing a mini fridge in my son's room after my sister's family kept eating his food"

    My sister Lisa lost her job 8 months ago and moved in with us along with her two sons (Jake & Mason, both 15).
    via Traditional_Cup_3010
  • 03
    My wife and I have one son (Dylan, 14) and the cousins get along okay but aren't super close.
    via Traditional_Cup_3010
  • 04
    Jake and Mason have been eating Dylan's food constantly. Not just regular groceries but specific stuff he buys with his own money or that we get him for dietary reasons.
    via Traditional_Cup_3010
  • 05
    Dylan has a really restricted diet due to food allergies and we buy him expensive specialty items.
    via Traditional_Cup_3010
  • 06
    The cousins know this but don't care. My wife and Lisa kept saying boys will be boys and that sharing food is normal in families.
    via Traditional_Cup_3010
  • 07
    I disagreed completely. Last straw was when Dylan saved up for a month to buy this expensive protein powder that's safe for his allergies ($80 for one container).
    via Traditional_Cup_3010
  • 08
    Jake used like half of it making shakes for him and Mason because he "wanted to try it." Dylan came home from practice and found it almost empty and had a breakdown because it took him forever to save up for it.
    via Traditional_Cup_3010
  • 09
    I told my wife she needs to talk to Lisa but instead I just bought Dylan a mini fridge with a lock for his room.
    via Traditional_Cup_3010
  • 10
    opened small refrigerator filled with groceries
    via Ernest Brillo for Unsplash
  • 11
    Put all his specialty food and drinks in there. Lisa and her sons were pissed when they saw it.
    via Traditional_Cup_3010
  • 12
    Lisa said I'm treating her kids like thieves and that it's normal for teenage boys to share food.
    via Traditional_Cup_3010
  • 13
    She said Dylan could just get regular protein powder from Walmart for $20 and doesn't need the expensive allergy-safe kind.
    via Traditional_Cup_3010
  • 14
    That his "pickiness" about food is just him being dramatic and we're enabling it by buying specialty stuff.
    via Traditional_Cup_3010
  • 15
    My wife is mad I put a locked fridge in Dylan's room and says it makes Lisa's kids feel unwelcome.
    via Traditional_Cup_3010
  • 16
    She wants me to remove it but I said the fridge stays until Lisa and her family move out.
    via Traditional_Cup_3010
  • 17
    Now my wife is saying I'm trying to kick out her sister and that her whole family will hate me for this.
    via Traditional_Cup_3010
  • 18
    I reminded her that MY family offered to take Lisa in but she refused because she wanted to stay near her kids' school.
    via Traditional_Cup_3010
  • 19
    If she'd gone with my parents we wouldn't be dealing with this. Everyone's giving me and Dylan the silent treatment now.
    via Traditional_Cup_3010
  • 20
    AITA?
    via Traditional_Cup_3010

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Tags

family drama mother household cousins son Father
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