The Struggle of Supporting an Unemployed Family Member
Initial Decision and Living Arrangements
The woman, who shares a house with her pregnant sister, initially allowed her sister's boyfriend to stay with them. As the sole owner of the home, she set certain conditions - he had to contribute to rent, help clean the house, and split utilities. However, it seems that the boyfriend did not fulfill his end of the bargain.He claimed to be looking for a job but couldn't find anything. As a result, the woman and her sister have been shouldering the financial burden of rent and bills alone. The water bill has skyrocketed to $600 due to his long showers and daily routine. He also fails to help with cleaning unless specifically asked, and even then, his sister does most of the work as he claims to not know how.
Moreover, he doesn't contribute to grocery costs despite consuming a significant amount of their food. The woman has repeatedly asked her sister to address these issues, but little has changed. At first, she was understanding and sympathetic, but now she is growing annoyed and regretful.
Future Concerns and Family Reactions
The woman's sister is going on maternity leave in March. If the boyfriend doesn't get a job by then, she will be left to pay for everything by herself until her disability benefits start. She will also have to handle all the cleaning as her sister will be recovering from childbirth and unable to help.Reddit users were quick to offer their opinions. Many supported the woman's decision, emphasizing that she owns the house and should set clear expectations. One user said, "You need to step into your power. You own a freaking house - that's amazing! You currently have two grown-ass adults who are not earning their keep. I think you need to make it super-clear what is expected, otherwise they will be out. Do it sooner rather than later so that they can find a place before they have their baby."
Another user added, "You need to have a come to Jesus moment with yourself and with your sister. Your future is going to be raising three kids - your sister, the boyfriend, and the kid. So if you're okay with that, let them go... otherwise start figuring out your boundaries and enforce them."
Update and Family Reactions
In an update, the woman sat down with her sister and the boyfriend to discuss her concerns. This led to the boyfriend packing his bags as he felt unwelcome. Her sister left in solidarity, and they are now staying at a homeless shelter.The woman received many calls and messages from family members telling her she was in the wrong, but she also felt a sense of relief. She couldn't understand why her sister chose to be homeless with a jobless man while she was six months pregnant.
Reddit users continued to share their thoughts, with many firmly stating that she was not in the wrong. One user wrote, "NTA [not the a——]. Your sister got herself pregnant by someone who was clearly not ready to be a dad. If she wants to play house with a baby and someone who behaves like a grown baby, then she's free to do that, but she shouldn't be dragging you into that."