AITAH for giving my daughters one week to leave my house after what they did to their half brother?

A mother’s heart races as she rushes home, her phone buzzing with a desperate text from her sick 7-year-old son, alone and ignored by his older sisters. The house, meant to be a haven for her blended family, becomes a battleground when she discovers her adult daughters deliberately neglected their half-brother, Tom, out of lingering resentment. Furious, she gives them one week to leave, sparking tears and silent treatment.

This isn’t just about a missed call—it’s a clash of loyalty, responsibility, and family wounds. The mother stands firm to protect her son, but her daughters’ pleas tug at her resolve. Readers are drawn into the drama: was her ultimatum justified, or too harsh for family? The stakes are high, and the verdict awaits.

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‘AITAH for giving my daughters one week to leave my house after what they did to their half brother?’

This mother shared her story on Reddit, detailing the betrayal of her daughters and her tough call to evict them. Here’s her original post, unpacking the family conflict.

I have two daughters. Both over 20. They graduated college and moved back in with me because they couldn't find a job. The house is my late husband's house Robert. For context: Their dad and I got divorced 9 years ago. I got remarried to Robert and had my 7 year old son Tom. The girls didn't have a good relationship with Robert.

In fact, they hated him because of what their dad filled their heads about him. They lived with their dad (they chose to) before going off to college. Robert passed away 6 months ago after a long battle with disease. It was just me and my son Tom. The girls' dad got remarried last year and the woman is basically a witch.

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That's why the girls stopped visiting there. They lived in rental apartment during college and their dad used to pay for rent but stopped after his wife fought with them. The girls couldn't get a job to pay for rent and asked if they could move in with me and Tom for a while. I, of course, said yes. Although I knew how they felt about Tom.

They moved in and they were nice to Tom but also distant. 2 days ago, I had an expected call and needed to leave the house. Tom was in bed all day because he was sick and I asked the girls to look after him for 2 hrs til I got back. I left quickly then an hour later, I got a text from Tom asking me to come home because he threw up again in his room.

He said he called for his sisters to help but no one responded. I immediately tried to call them but both lines were busy. I did my best to come home earlier thinking the girls weren't at home, but turned out they were. One was downstairs the entire time, the other said she was using 'kitchen appliances' that's why she couldn't hear Tom.

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I was going to believe them til Tom said he tried to text them but they didn't respond. I checked their phones after they tried to deny it and he was right. His message was 'read' but no response. I blew up at them both and called them pathetic. They argued that I was making them act like they are the parent and placing resposibility on them.

I knew this wasn't about that. They hated Robert. Fine. That might be a little understandable. but Tom is a kid and he has no part in all of this to be treated like that. I knew they neglected him on purpose. So I told them they have one week to move out and they started arguing and even crying saying I'm being too harsh on them, and acting worse then their dad's new wife.

I said this wasn't up for discussion and now both of them are giving me the silent treatment. Basically making me feel guilty about the whole thing. Maybe I've made a wrong decision. but seeing how they've neglected their brother merely out of resentment and hate makes me feel upset and quite concerned to have them around him.

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Blended families can be a tightrope, and this mother’s trust snapped when her daughters neglected their sick half-brother. The 20-something sisters, living rent-free, ignored Tom’s cries for help, likely fueled by resentment toward their late stepfather. Her decision to give them a week to leave prioritizes her vulnerable son, but their pushback—claiming she’s parentifying them—complicates the rift.

This reflects deeper issues in blended family dynamics. A 2022 study in Family Relations found that unresolved resentment in step-sibling relationships can lead to neglect or hostility, especially when loyalty to a biological parent persists. The daughters’ actions endangered Tom, justifying the mother’s stance.

Family therapist Dr. Patricia McMahon says, “Protecting a child’s safety trumps adult siblings’ feelings; clear boundaries are essential in blended homes”. Her insight supports the mother’s ultimatum. The daughters’ claim of parentification doesn’t hold, as checking on a sick child for two hours is basic responsibility.

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The mother could supervise interactions this week to ensure Tom’s safety. The daughters should reflect on their neglect’s impact.

Take a look at the comments from fellow users:

Reddit waded into this family storm with takes as fierce as a mother’s wrath. Here’s a roundup of their thoughts, sprinkled with humor—because even family feuds need a light touch.

thirsty_kipsoiwet88 − If your daughters resent your late husband, fine he’s gone. But taking it out on his innocent child crosses a serious line. What’s to stop them from ignoring or belittling him again when you're not around? You’re setting a boundary and protecting your son’s well-being. That’s your job as a mother.

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Awkward_Title_3924 − As a mom of a blended family, I will say this... they are adults. He is a child. If they want to act like immature high schoolers than they can role play somewhere else. Your son is a minor... he is priority not adult women who need to grow up.

LazyInstruction-600 − Asking your *adult* kids to babysit their sick brother for a couple of hours when they are living rent free in your home is not parentifying them. It’s asking them to help you out. They neglected him on purpose and in so doing lost their privileges.

They have no one to blame but themselves. All they had to do was check on a sick 7 year old. It’s so sad how people take their emotions out on innocent children. He did nothing to deserve that. NTA.

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limo1911 − I bet that your ex-husband's wife is not a witch. She's just fed up with there there BS ! I would reach out to your ex-husband and his new wife find out the real reason that they were cut off. You caught them red-handed in lies, deceit and abandonment of a child they were responsible for even if it was for an hour.

Too many red flags to ignore. They act like they're overprivileged and don't need to be responsible for anything. Kicking them out on the street is the best thing that they could ever get. A great big, healthy heap indosa of reality is what they're going to get! Kick them out, kick them out fast and don't look back. Don't let him guilt trip. You stay firm.

RegularCompany7287 − Your home, your rules. You made one request, that they watch out for a sick 7 year old while you were out of the home and that was too much. They sound terribly selfish, disrespectful and immature. I think living on their own will be a good lesson in responsibility.

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JustWowinCA − I'm sorry, but what if Tom choked on his vomit and died? What then? You are NOT overreacting and they can leave. They also owe you and Tom a huge apology for being terrible people. I just can't with people sometimes. NTA.

PuzzleheadedGolf418 − 2 college grads can't find jobs so leach off of you?!?! Throw them out. They need to learn adulting!

SnowEnvironmental861 − I highly recommend you don't let them be alone with Tom over the next week. I wouldn't trust them not to say terrible things to him.

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Common_Tiger1526 − NTA. As the oldest child and cousin, I am particularly sensitive to situations where parentification is going on. That's not what's happening here. Asking TWO adults to watch a sick child for a couple of hours in the house they're living in for free is not parentification. They are gaslighting you.

TarzanKitty − Do phones even register as “busy” in 2025?

These Reddit opinions are fiery, but do they capture the full picture? Was the mother right to draw a hard line, or should she reconsider her daughters’ plea?

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This mother’s story is a raw tapestry of family loyalty tested by neglect and resentment. Her decision to evict her daughters, after they ignored their sick brother’s cries, is a stand for her son’s safety, backed by Reddit’s support. Yet the silent treatment and family backlash stir doubts: can this rift heal? What would you do when family betrays a vulnerable child? Share your stories and join the debate!

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