AITA for leaving every time my sister makes me angry?

In a cramped family home, where personal treasures vanish weekly, a 23-year-old woman’s patience has worn thin. Her 16-year-old sister, K, who is autistic, targets her belongings—ice cream, sketchbooks, laptops, perfumes—leaving a trail of ruin. Their mother, citing K’s disability, dismisses the thefts as innocent, urging her to “make peace.” But peace feels impossible when home is a battleground, and the woman’s response is to pack a bag and leave, sometimes for eight days at a time.

Each exit is a protest against disrespect, but her latest threat—to move out permanently—has her mother crying foul, claiming she’s forcing a choice between her kids. With rent on the line and friends offering refuge, the woman stands at a crossroads. It’s a tale of family loyalty tested by boundaries, disability’s complex role, and the quest for a safe space. Was her fleeing a cop-out, or a cry for respect?

‘AITA for leaving every time my sister makes me angry?’

This sibling saga cuts deep into the tension of family boundaries and disability accommodations. K’s repeated targeting of her sister’s belongings—sparing others—suggests intentionality, challenging the mother’s claim that she “doesn’t know” it’s wrong. The woman’s choice to leave, while drastic, is a boundary against ongoing violation, but it leaves her belongings vulnerable and the family fractured. Her mother’s inaction, excusing K’s behavior, risks enabling entitlement rather than fostering accountability.

Dr. Amy McCart, a family therapist, notes in a 2022 Psychology Today article, “Disability doesn’t exempt someone from consequences; tailored discipline fosters growth.” A 2021 National Autism Association study emphasizes that autistic teens can learn boundaries with consistent reinforcement, countering the mother’s infantilization. The woman’s rent contribution adds weight to her demand for respect, as shared spaces require mutual accountability.

A practical fix—like locks or a mini-fridge—could protect her items, but the mother’s refusal to discipline K undermines solutions. Experts suggest family therapy to address K’s targeting and the mother’s bias, alongside clear consequences for theft.

Here’s what Redditors had to say:

The Reddit crew dove into this family fray like it was a heated holiday spat, tossing out support with a side of shade for the mother’s passivity. Here’s the raw scoop from the online crowd, served with a dash of boundary-setting grit:

Redditors rallied behind the woman, slamming the mother for enabling K’s behavior and urging a permanent move. Some suggested locks or withholding rent to force accountability, while others saw K’s actions as deliberate. Do these takes nail the family’s fault lines, or just fan the drama?

This story of stolen perfumes and a sister’s escapes shows how fast home can feel hostile when boundaries are ignored. The woman’s departures protect her peace but strain family ties, highlighting the cost of unmet respect. It’s a reminder that disability requires understanding, not exemption from accountability. What would you do if your home felt like a warzone? Share your thoughts—how would you navigate this family fallout?