AITA for finally exploding on my mom and extended family after years of chaos, mess, and hypocrisy at home?

My mom has problems. My family has problems. Growing up, I watched everything, moods, tone shifts, lies, backstabbing. Think Shawn from *Psych*, but toned down. By 8 I could read people. I knew when to ask, when to stay quiet, when to disappear. It made me good with people, but it also means I know exactly where to hit if I want to hurt someone. I’m planning on therapy. I’m the middle of three. My mom is a single parent, and I know she tries, but our house has always been chaotic. I knew extended‑family drama by nine. I used to be a nice guy Now the streets killed me. In 7th grade things got physical. Police were called. And let’s say some WWE stunts. Teachers always called me a good example. I don’t vape, drink, or get in trouble. By freshman year I joined activities just to stay out of the house. I made a rule: if it isn’t mine, I don’t care. I clean my room, do my laundry separately, manage my own things. The rest of the house is overwhelming. We eat at my grandma’s because our kitchen is basically unusable. I go to a competitive prep school. I had a 3.4 weighted; now I have a 4.2. I’m trusted with leadership roles and even keys to supervise events. But at home I’m “irresponsible.” I need eight more driving hours before my permit expires. My mom keeps delaying and won’t let me use my own job money. She says I can’t be trusted. So I started pushing back: “Are you sure I’m responsible?” Petty, yes, but I’m trusted everywhere else. Junior year has been worse. More fights. Police calls. Getting kicked out temporarily. Today was bad. Failed a test and a quiz. Sick. Played horribly at open gym one of the few things that brings me joy. We started losing and I became the scapegoat. I left halfway through, close to crying. Sometimes a man just wants comfort from his mom. Instead, I got a cold shoulder. She still took me to my grandma’s. I barely ate (I ate earlier but also to give a show since I was already at my peaked from that could shoulder). Everyone got offended. My grandma said I’d become a failure and “family doesn’t treat family like that.” Something snapped. I brought receipts. Every backstabbing moment I’ve watched for years. Every fake smile. Every betrayal. I said I’m tired of chaos and hypocrisy. I called out aunts, uncles, my mother, grandparents. I said I lost respect when my mom told me she wished she never had me. I called her a bitch. She said she wants me out and mentioned emancipation. I said fine. Since she want to be bringing it up every time, go right ahead. When I left, she was already pulling papers (she files documents for others, so she knows how). I doubt this was just going to “blow over.” like every other time. I cut this and left out many things especially background.

I know I exploded. I know I burned bridges. But after years of this AITA.

6 thoughts on “AITA for finally exploding on my mom and extended family after years of chaos, mess, and hypocrisy at home?”
  1. ESH: you’re a kid. parents are supposed to be the adults. it sounds like they have failed you. That said you shouldn’t have blown up like that. it doesn’t help anything. 

    1. Yup if OP was as clever as they pretend they are they’d have gotten important documents ie B/C, ID, etc away from parents or know how to get a replacement (pro tip: if you need a replacement social security card but you’re not longer a student and can’t use a school ID or transcript with name and DOB, get a signed medical record from your doctor with your name and DOB).

      They’d also have a decent plan once they left ie stay with a trusted family friend or relative, possible job prospects or realistic career options (ie military, trades).

      Or just Biden their time and focus on school long enough to get into a decent college or job. If he is deliberately doing poor in school and no longer in extracurricular esp in leadership roles, that is cutting his nose to spite his face.

      Mom may not be able to kick OP out until they’re 18 and give them notice but the fact that they likely know more about documents than the average person doesnt help.

  2. NTA. Dude, get out of there. Find some close friends and find comfort in your chosen family. Space is probably the best thing for situations like this so you can find peace. Keep those grades up, get your license, and keep being the responsible and trusted kid you already are and don’t let anyone tell you who you are. You get to define that for yourself.
    Best of luck.

  3. A friend has a similar story. Now he’s at a friend’s and they agreed to foster him and he’s applying for colleges. 

    When he finally confronted her, his mom freaked out, called him disrespectful, said shes kicking him out, threw out all his stuff, etc. that’s when he went to stay with the friend.  The mom got into more trouble and got arrested. He’s in a stable situation and sad he had to cut her loose but he’s better off now. 

    So NTA.

  4. First, I’m proud of you for doing great in school. Keep it up. Second, I’m proud of you for standing up for yourself. I hope you’re able to be anywhere besides home.

  5. I’m just here to say I’m sorry you are experiencing this and I hope you can find peace and a safe place where you can thrive. My heart breaks for you.

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