WIBTA if I moved out because my mom wants another baby and marriage?

A 15-year-old girl threatens to leave home if her mother has an eighth child, citing years of forced childcare and a chaotic new relationship. What starts as a boundary declaration quickly becomes reality when the teen packs up and moves to her dad’s house.

After raising siblings since age 7 while her mom cycles through absent partners, the teen snaps at the prospect of another baby—especially with her aunt’s ex now in the picture. In addition, a recent miscarriage hasn’t deterred the couple from trying again, pushing the exhausted daughter to the exit.

‘WIBTA if I moved out because my mom wants another baby and marriage?’

The burden began early, with the teen stepping in as caregiver for her growing family.

I (15f) told my mom and family that if my mom has another baby I will move out and go live with my dad. My mom already has 7 kids.

I’ve been basically helping raise them since I was 7 due to absent fathers for most of them. I love my siblings to death but another one would drive me...

Then a new man entered the home, fast-tracking marriage and pregnancy plans.

About 2-3 months ago my mom came home bringing a guy from the inner city with her. He’s my aunts child’s father. My moms sister. While I want my mom...

it is an understatement to say that her side of the family is angry. Not even a week after her bringing him home she tells me they plan to get...

She thought I was joking. About a month ago she found out she was pregnant but miss carried. After that she says she feel’s something missing and that they’re gonna...

What makes the story more complicated is the teen’s firm stance and swift departure.

The fact that she is trying to have one after nit even fully raising the ones she already had kind of angers me. I wouldn’t treat that child as if...

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and I feel bad for saying that bc it’s not their fault but I wouldn’t. She thinks she’s pregnant again and I’m still dead set on leaving. Would I be...

UPDATE: my sister came to pick me up yesterday morning and talked to my dad and grandma about who’s gonna take care of the rest of my siblings until my...

This teen’s exit exposes parentification—when children shoulder adult responsibilities—at its most extreme. Forcing a 15-year-old to raise seven siblings while planning an eighth crosses from neglect into exploitation.

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Some might argue family duty binds her, yet legal and psychological standards agree: minors cannot consent to unpaid labor or emotional caretaking. In addition, the mother’s pattern of unstable partners and pregnancies signals deeper instability the teen rightly flees.

Societally, this reflects a cycle where large families mask dysfunction, often leaving oldest daughters as default parents. As child psychologist Dr. Kyle Pruett states in Partnership Parenting, “Parentified children suffer long-term anxiety and resentment when forced into roles meant for adults—escape is self-preservation, not abandonment” (source: American Psychological Association).

Here’s how people reacted to the post:

Users universally supported the teen’s escape, labeling her mother’s choices abusive and irresponsible.

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[Reddit User] − NTA. OP, you are being abused.

Doctor_Katze − Definitely NTA. Your mother is irresponsible and escapist. Do you have somewhere safe to go?

Big_Duck_Energy_ − NTA, she’s willing to sacrifice many of her relationships for this man and to try another baby. I’m sorry you’re dealing with this situation

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Sad-Caterpillar-326 − NTA. You’re 15, your job shouldn’t be to raise children. This sounds like a messy situation all around and getting out of it altogether may be the best...

medium_buffalo_wings − NTA That's basically self preservation at this point. Yikes.

A few offered practical escape plans and warnings about the new sibling.

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[Reddit User] − NTA If your father can provide a better and more stable living situation for you, then go. At 15 you should not be responsible for raising your...

With that said, a new child will be your sibling regardless if you like it or not. Shunning the new baby serves no purpose but again it should not be...

[Reddit User] − NTA, absolutely. Kiddo, you're a child. You are not supposed to be your own mother's unpaid nanny. You should be concentrating on schoolwork and preparing for adulthood...

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She is being irresponsible. Sounds to me like she loves babies and can't figure out what to do with children. ..also, she is lousy at picking partners and/or at being...

Very quietly find your vital documents (where I am that is birth certificate, proof of insurance, and Social Security card) and put them someplace your mother doesn't look in. Then...

Others kept it blunt and protective.

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Strict-Category-287 − My biggest thing on why I haven’t left yet is that she’s been doing really good lately outside of this situation and the constant fighting with her boyfriend.

I don’t want to leave and make her mad or put her under to much stress to the point that she relapses and than my siblings really aren’t in a...

DracoRubi − NTA It's not your job to take care of the children. If your mother is already uncapable of taking care of seven children, why is she even having...

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Solivagant0 − NTA if you can, leave. What she's doing is not okay, it's not your job to raise your siblings, you're a child yourself

The teen’s departure marks a hard-won boundary in a home where childhood was stolen long ago. Her update signals not just escape, but the start of reclaiming her own future. Have you ever had to choose between family loyalty and your own sanity? At what age should kids stop being expected to parent their siblings?

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