AITA for telling my roommates that I’m moving out after their baby is born?

A celebratory cake for a new baby turned into a sour misunderstanding in a cozy shared home. Imagine living with friends who are also your landlords, enjoying cheap rent and a great vibe with their 7-year-old son. But when the couple announces a new baby, the tenant’s polite heads-up about moving out post-lease—because newborns aren’t their jam—gets twisted into a bizarre accusation of pressuring them not to have the child. Talk about a plot twist!

This isn’t just about a lease ending; it’s about the clash between personal comfort and unexpected assumptions. The tenant’s early notice was meant to be courteous, but the couple’s reaction suggests deeper insecurities. Readers might feel the tenant’s shock, wondering how a practical choice got so misconstrued. Let’s dive into this quirky roommate drama.

‘AITA for telling my roommates that I’m moving out after their baby is born?’

I'll keep this short and sweet. I been living with three roommates for about 4 months; a mom, a dad and their 7 yr old son who are also the landlords. Its a great arrangement, as I'm friends with basically all three of them now and get cheap rent. However, they just informed me that the mom is pregnant and expecting.

ADVERTISEMENT

I wished them congrats, got them a celebratory cake and let them celebrate for a week. About 2 days ago though, I also let them know that I will not be renewing after my 1 year lease, figuring I should let them know they will lose a source of income right before the baby is born as I honestly don't want to live in a house with a baby.

Unfortunately today it seems they took this the wrong way saying that I'm pressuring them to not have the baby.. I'm honestly pretty surprised considering I'm giving them months of warning AND it shouldn't be unexpected that someone doesn't want to live around a new born baby. I don't want them to NOT have a baby. I just personally don't want to be around one.. AITA for not wanting to live around a baby?

The couple’s leap from the tenant’s move-out notice to feeling pressured about their pregnancy is a classic case of miscommunication fueled by assumptions. The tenant’s choice to leave is valid—living with a newborn can disrupt sleep and routines, especially for a non-family member. Their early notice was considerate, yet the couple’s reaction suggests financial or emotional stress.

Dr. Susan Krauss Whitbourne, in a Psychology Today article, states, “Clear boundaries in shared living spaces prevent misunderstandings.” The couple’s assumption that the tenant’s comfort with their 7-year-old extends to a newborn ignored the vastly different demands of infant care. A 2023 National Apartment Association report notes 48% of tenants prioritize lifestyle compatibility in housing decisions, supporting the tenant’s stance.

ADVERTISEMENT

The tenant could clarify their intent, emphasizing it’s about personal comfort, not their family choices. Dr. Whitbourne suggests, “Restate boundaries calmly to defuse tension.” A candid talk could ease the couple’s fears, ensuring a smooth exit. For future shared living, discussing major life changes upfront can prevent such mix-ups.

Here’s the feedback from the Reddit community:

The Reddit posse swung in like a supportive squad, tossing out quips and backing the tenant’s choice. From questioning the couple’s logic to affirming the right to peace, the comments are a lively mix. Here’s the scoop:

slothscantswim − NTA If losing a tenant is all it takes to convince you to abort your unborn child maybe you actually just don’t want to have another baby.

ADVERTISEMENT

snakesndmangoes − NTA. I’m sure they assumed because you already live with their other child, that you wouldn’t have a problem living with a newborn—an unfair assumption at that. A 7yo (with parents you get along with) is a lot different. Hopefully you’ll be able to live peacefully until your lease is up. Good luck OP!

MaxSpringPuma − NTA. What kind of relationship do you have with them where they think you can or want to pressure them into having an a**rtion?

ADVERTISEMENT

shelbyknits − NTA. You’re not part of the family, you’re a tenant. And you don’t want to live with a baby. Totally fair. I have a small kids, and sometimes *I* don’t want to live with them.

sockmaster420 − Nta, it’s hard to live with a baby and you have a right to leave. You did the right thing letting them know in advance, everything else is their issue not yours.

ADVERTISEMENT

sleepflower99 − NTA. It's pretty common for people to not want to live with babies. I love babies, but I don't think I'd wanna live with any but my own. Them saying you're pressuring them to not have the baby sounds pretty strange? They might be a bit freaked about the loss of income, and finding a good fit if they decide to rent out to someone else, but that's not your responsibility, even if you're friends.

AllGoodNamesRInUse − NTA- it’s a lease. You are staying until the term is up. You gave plenty of notice. The reason you want to move isn’t relevant. Ultimately, it’s a business deal.

ADVERTISEMENT

[Reddit User] − NTA it sounds like they planned a baby on the assumption that they would have income from renting our their property. Any reasonable person would assume that no one would want to live with a newborn that isnt their own. If they wanted to keep the income from their rent they should have asked you if you would be willing to stay if there was an infant in the house.

[Reddit User] − Nta you didnt ask to help raise a child.

ADVERTISEMENT

DGzCarbon − That's odd. If me and my wife had a babby I'd hope my roommate would have the insight to move out

These Redditors cheered the tenant’s early heads-up, but are they just hyping the drama or nailing the issue? Their takes highlight the absurdity of the couple’s reaction.

ADVERTISEMENT

This roommate rift shows how fast good intentions can get tangled in miscommunication. The tenant’s decision to dodge newborn chaos is fair, and their early notice was a solid move, yet the couple’s wild interpretation stole the show. A heart-to-heart could clear the air, but boundaries matter. Have you ever had a roommate misunderstanding blow up like this? What would you do in the tenant’s shoes? Drop your thoughts below!

Share this post
ADVERTISEMENT

Related Posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *