aitah for getting full custody of my little sister and refusing for my parents to see her?
Imagine being 24, sipping coffee one day, and the next you’re thrust into mom-mode for your 6-month-old sister because your parents—20 years your senior—decide they’re “too old” for diapers and midnight feeds. Fast forward three years, and that little girl’s calling you “mummy,” clinging to you like you’re her world—because you are. Now, those same parents who handed her over without a backward glance want her back, and the family’s piling on, accusing you of “stealing” her. Talk about a plot twist!
This isn’t just a custody tug-of-war—it’s a heart-wrenching mess of love, duty, and some seriously questionable parenting. Our redditor’s been her sister’s rock, footing doctor bills and picking names while Mom and Dad checked out. So, when they demand a do-over, is she the asshole for saying no way? Let’s unpack this family fiasco.
‘aitah for getting full custody of my little sister and refusing for my parents to see her?’
Raising your sibling as your own because your parents bailed? That’s not just stepping up—that’s rewriting the script. At 24, she’s given this 3-year-old stability they never offered, and now they’re yanking the rug out from under both. It’s less about biology and more about who’s been the real parent here.
Family therapist Dr. Susan Forward notes, “Emotional abandonment leaves scars—reclaiming a child later doesn’t erase that,” . These folks ditched both daughters—her to Grandma, the little one to her—and their track record screams neglect. Studies show kids thrive on consistency; 80% of early bonding shapes lifelong trust (Zero to Three). She’s that bond, not them.
This smacks of parental entitlement—using kids as pawns when it suits them. Her infertility jab from Mom? Cruel, not credible. Keep her, sis—lawyer up, document the harassment, and shield that girl from their flip-flopping. They don’t get to play mom and dad on a whim.
See what others had to share with OP:
The Reddit crew jumped in—here’s the lineup:
They’re tossing “NTA” like it’s candy, hailing her as a hero and roasting her parents’ audacity with quips about Netflix subs and video game resets. It’s a hype squad with heart—do they nail it, or just fuel the fire?
So, there’s our redditor, a makeshift mom at 24, staring down a family shouting “give her back” like she’s holding stolen goods. She’s no asshole—those parents ditched their duty, and she’s the one who built a life for that little girl. Reddit’s cheering her on, and honestly, it’s tough to argue with a bond that deep. They don’t deserve a redo just because they’re jealous of “mummy.” What’s your take? Would you hand her over or fight tooth and nail like this big sis? Spill it—how would you handle parents pulling this stunt?
