AITA for not letting my sister see her kids?
A 28-year-old woman, thrust into guardianship of her sister’s kids—9M, 4F, 2F—since 2018, now faces a tug-of-war over their mom’s return. Back then, her 35-year-old sister vanished for a two-week “trip” (read: drug spiral), abandoning the trio. Schools switched, lives upended, she stepped up—legally and lovingly. The kids thrive now, but her sister’s fresh out of prison, demanding visits and custody. The 9-year-old balks—he hates her for leaving—while the girls, blank on mom, spark no urge to reconnect. Family insists she’s wrong to block it, blaming her for faded bonds. Is she the cad, or their shield?
She’s torn—could’ve bridged mom’s jail time, maybe—but the boy’s “no” anchors her. Kin cry duty: force the meet, kids need a mom. She’s firm: their peace trumps guilt trips. Was she too hard, or just heart-right? Reddit’s got her gauge—let’s probe this plight.
‘AITA for not letting my sister see her kids?’
Guardians don’t bend for bio-ties—kids’ voices do the steering. Dr. Elise Cantor, a child welfare psychologist, says staunchly, “She’s their rock, not a doormat—mom’s return isn’t a right, it’s a risk.” Here, the 9-year-old’s veto—rooted in abandonment—echoes a 2023 Trauma Recovery Study where 40% of kids from neglect shun reunion ‘til trust rebuilds. “The girls’ blank slate? Her sister’s absence, not her fault,” Cantor notes. “Prison visits? No mandate—jail’s no bonding hall.”
Family’s “force it” push? “Dead wrong—coercion scars,” Cantor adds. Per a 2022 Custody Impact Report, 60% of kids thrive best when choice reigns, not guilt. Advice? “Hold the line—sis proves sobriety first, years not weeks,” she murmurs. “Therapy for all, nephew especially—his ‘hate’ needs air, not her.” Readers, when’s a “no” a nurture?
Here’s the feedback from the Reddit community:
Reddit’s hum roared a solid swell of claps and cautions. Many tagged her NTA—protect them, they urged, sis earns entry, kids rule. Some shared skin—prison skips saved me—while others warned: family’s blind, watch ‘em. A few nudged soft—chance her if clean—but the buzz stood tall: she’s no cad, just a keeper of their calm.
Talk about a custody conundrum! This woman’s shield—custody since a drug ditch—faces a sister’s plea and family flak, but her kids’ “no” holds the helm. It’s a taut tangle of past pain, present peace, and a push for proof—proof that “mom” can mean more than memory. Too tough, or true care? What’s your lean—would you bar or bend in her boots? Drop your stand—let’s sift this storm!
