I (17 F) am the eldest sibling of my household, the only girl and my siblings are spaced out by a few years. There’s 4 of us in total and 3 of us have medical/mental issues (this will come to play later in events).
For context, I have a good relationship with my mother. As of recently, my mother is married, no wedding, nobody knew til she showed the certificate. Not that I have a problem with her being married or being in a relationship, though I think she should’ve thought better of who she’s marrying. Shortly before they had gotten married, there been a few disagreements I had with him. But I kept it civil and still respected him because that’s how I was raised.
This happens 2-3 weeks after my birthday in the beginning of December, I had been sitting in the kitchen listening to music when he had came through the front door and headed back towards the bedrooms. I didn’t think much of it and continued listening to music until my music stopped and I heard my brother yelling. I got up and headed out the kitchen, through the hallway I saw my mother already at the door of my brothers room along with her husband (Mike). My mother and Mike were in the doorway and my brother was still yelling, he has autism on a high spectrum. So I came closer to try and ask my mother what was going on and possibly comfort my brother. Before I could ask Mike muttered something like “Here she comes acting like she‘s backup.” So I turned before in general asking what’s going on. He caught an attitude or whatever before he had walked into my brother’s room and yelled at him to stop screaming. That scared my brother badly and I said “Don’t you yell at him like that and you out of turn for that.” Then me and him were going back and forth yelling at each other, my mother tried forcing me out into my room. And I refused, he was yelling about how I was tryna act grown and I needed to get a job since I wanted to be so grown. That’s when it amped up and more screaming is happening while my mother tried defusing the situation but it keep going as I kept yelling that he shouldn’t be yelling at my brother like that and how she was letting him yell at me any kinda way. He’s cussing and stuff while I’m trying to not cuss him out in front of my mother, then he was talking about how disrespectful I am and how I never listen to her, how he’s ready to go and she need to help him leave. When my mother finally gets me in my room, I was crying and left alone. After that he stormed out and my mother sat with my brothers. The situation finally defuses after he leaves and my mother sends him on his way. Before that he apologized to her and told her to tell me his apology.
More than a month later and I still don’t accept his apology, nor do I care for him or any of his problems. Now my mother tells me “I eventually need to work it out with him”. AITA For not wanting to?
I have a whole bunch of links here that may be helpful for you, from another neurodivergent person
https://www.reddit.com/u/Deflated_Hypnotist/s/BOp4Y9uQVh
NTA
NTA
“For context, I have a good relationship with my mother.” .. you don’t. She didn’t even tell you she got married, and she priorizes her new husband over you.
s there another family member OP can move to?
NTA
It sounds like he wants to take over the role of “head of the house” and resents OP.
U hope your mom wakes up and sets him in his place, for everyone’s sake.
Is your father no longer in the picture? Maybe he can/should advocate for you guys?
My father is not in the picture, he as his on issues to worry about. I haven’t talked to him in years.
But you guys ARE his issues. You are very but as important for him as anything else going on.
If he’s abandoned youe family, I am so sorry you got stuck with him – he doesn’t deserve you.
But if you’re making that decision for him – because you think he’s got his own issues to work – then let HIM make that decision. Reach out and give him the opportunity to step up to the plate
NTA you don’t need to work it out with him. You do however need to work on your temper. Your brother is autistic and you kept screaming too. There will always be AHs like your mother’s husband around. You need to learn to stay calm, for your brother. Mom’s husband came into a household where you have been used to being “mom’s assistant”. He’s an insecure little thing, and you being better with your siblings than he is, is making him feel like a failure.
Firstly, you will be moving out in a few years, and your siblings will be stuck with him. Parenting them is not your responsibility, but getting out of that established pattern will take some work on your part.
Meanwhile you can lead by example. When he starts screaming, you stay calm. While husband looks like a toddler with zero self control, you’ll look like the mature one. It will annoy him. You can even throw out a few annoyed looks and a few “Control yourself and calm down”, followed by a telling look. “Go outside till you’ve learned how to control your emotions and calmed down”. “Your screaming is making it worse. Get ahold of yourself.” All said completely calm.
I agree about needing to keep calm for your brother’s benefit. I have an adult autistic son and as hard as it is at times, I have always tried to remain calm in difficult situations because I know that any yelling and anger will set him off badly.
I feel for you in this difficult situation, but try and think of your brother and what’s best for him. He doesn’t need any more tension in the house.
Sorry for having to deal with your mother’s new partner, and good luck moving forward.
It depends what you want and whether he can acknowledge his mistake(s). If you don’t come to some sort of understanding, how will this affect your brothers? Will it affect your relationship with your mother?
The man sounds insecure and out of his depth.
He should absolutely not have shouted at your brother, that’s totally unacceptable and I hope your mother gave him an earful in private.
Consider what consequences come into play, then act to get the outcome that’s best for you.
Hey…
So you dont have to accept his apology. His actions caused chaos…
Talk it out with your mom if you can…
And if for some reason you just can’t, no judgement. I was 13 the first time my mom left me for a man…
She is willing to toss me to the curb to keep her husband who has no real obligation to another being so he doesnt get what its like to be a parent…
I accept that its like that and we don’t really talk… I see her at my kids events and thats about it.
She is who she is and she is showing you…
NTA: You don’t owe him anything, including forgiveness, after he behaved the way he did, especially since he didn’t even have the stones to apologize to you directly. That said, however, I agree with another comment that the screaming match was bad for everyone involved. I get that you were trying to stand up for both your brother and yourself, but sinking to his level just gives him ammunition for his “selfish and irresponsible” BS view of you. You don’t have to knuckle under, but it really will be best if you can find ways to behave as a mature adult in a confrontation (and besides, as a bonus, learning to do that really will annoy the crap out of him!). I also agree with the person who said that your relationship with your mom is not as good as you think: she should not have allowed him to yell at either of you like that; she is prioritizing his pride over your and your brother’s sanity and serenity.
*Edited to correct a typo.
NTA for not wanting to. YTA if you don’t at some point. I get you’re only 17 and your brain isn’t done developing yet. You don’t yet possess the skill or ability to think things all the way through before reacting. You’re still learning how to manage your emotions and reactions. Hopefully, with time, you’ll develop those skills. It sounds like your step dad could work on developing the same skills. He doesn’t have the same excuse you do.