I (27F) live in a small one-bedroom apartment. I’ve worked really hard to afford this place on my own, and since I work from home a few days a week, my living room also functions as my office.
My sister (24F) is currently pregnant. She and her boyfriend are in a bad financial spot and are being forced to leave their current place. My parents called me recently and basically told me that the "only solution" is for them to move in with me until the baby is born.
When I asked where they would even stay, my mom suggested that I move my bed into the living room/office area and give my sister and her boyfriend the bedroom so they can set up a nursery. Essentially, they want me to live in my kitchen/living room and sleep on a couch or a twin bed so they can have the only actual room.
I told them no. I explained that I pay 100% of the rent here, I need a quiet space to work, and I’m not comfortable giving up my only private room to two other adults.
Now my parents are furious, saying I’m being selfish because I’m "single with no kids" and therefore don’t need the space as much as she does. My sister is texting me saying she has nowhere else to go and that I’m "turning my back on the family." My parents have a house with an actual guest room, but they claim it’s "too far from her job," so they expect me to provide the housing instead.
I feel like I’m being pressured to give up my entire quality of life for a situation I didn’t create. AITA?
NTA – you live in a one bed apartment, not a place with multiple rooms. Why aren’t your parents taking them in?
NTA, sister can go live with parents
NTA but your parents are. If they want the bedroom to set up a nursery they ain’t moving out when that child is born. You didn’t create the mess and by no means are in the wrong for refusing to give in to their demands. I suggest going low or no contact.
I was thinking about no contact but I’m not sure if I’m ready to loose my parents.
It appears you already did by their suggestion.
NTA. You have no obligation to provide free housing to your sister. If your parents feel so strongly about it, then they can house her. Distance from work isn’t really something the sister can complain about when it’s free.
Also, if you do this, you would be pressured into providing free child care as well. Stick to your guns!
NTA… DO NOT GIVE IN… they will completely take over your space and eventually expect you to leave while you still pay the rent… because family. The only reason your parents are mad and making excuses are because they know once your sister moves back in she will never leave
NTA — your parents can take them in and your sister can learn to drive or find transportation to get to work. She’s grown enough to get pregnant, she’s grown enough to live with the consequences. Or better yet, go bother her boyfriend’s family instead. It takes TWO to tango, after all.
This is so ridiculous I am doubting it is real.
Why can’t they move in with your parents?
NTA Just say the landlord won’t allow it & let that be the end. If your sister is inconvenienced by a longer commute from your parents house that is not your problem!
Even if you had 2 bedrooms, it’s a HELL NO!!! Two grownups having a baby need to find jobs and figure it out. Stay strong and keep those boundaries in place
Since you rent, say your lease doesn’t allow it and your landlord monitors this. NTA.
She has a partner and parents who can help. This is not your problem. But like others have said, change your locks if they have emergency keys.
NTA. Also, it’s not just until the baby is born. If it were just until the baby is born, they wouldn’t need to set up a nursery. They plan to stay well past that. And you very realistically don’t have the space for them. A one bedroom is perfect for a single person, or a person and their significant other. No more than that.
If they need housing that badly, your parents’ guest room is perfect for them. And since your parents care so much about this, they should have no issue helping your sister out, since they have the space. If your sister complains it’s too far from work. well, she isn’t really in a position to be picky right now.
Simple answer, your living space is not equipped to help them out, and your parents’ living space is. And to be clear, even if you had the space, you might still have reason to say no.
NTA
Your parents have a house with a guest room. They need to go there. Put your foot down.