WIBTA For Not Letting My Sister See My Baby Before Moving Out Of State

Balancing family responsibilities and personal well-being - when is enough, enough?

Davy

• Published in Interesting
• May 21, 2024

In a touching Reddit post, a new mother shared her emotional and logistical challenges as she navigates a demanding family situation. This young woman, recently blessed with her first baby, has been the primary caregiver for her oldest sister, Lilly, who is in a wheelchair and mentally at the level of a 15-year-old despite being 45.

For the past decade, she has dedicated significant time and energy to her sister's care, often spending the night shifts at her home. During her pregnancy, the new mom understandably took a break to prepare for her baby’s arrival, which didn’t sit well with Lilly.

Despite the new mother’s struggles with postpartum depression and a difficult physical recovery, Lilly continuously demanded her time and attention, leading to tension between the sisters. The situation escalated when Lilly fired her from the caregiving role, causing financial strain on her and her husband, who had been struggling to find work.

Recently, the husband received a job offer out of state, presenting the family with an opportunity they couldn’t pass up. With plans to move, the new mom is now faced with a dilemma: should she inform Lilly about the move and let her see the baby before they leave?

Her family insists on it, but she fears the emotional toll it could take on her during an already stressful time.

The story

The mother's story elicited a variety of responses from the online community, highlighting the complex nature of family obligations and personal boundaries. Here are some of the perspectives shared by others:

NAH.

You’d absolutely be NTA if you don’t let her see the baby, but keep that right there in mind - would you feel guilty and if so how would that effect you? Your decision is basically which option would be easier for you to deal with.

You have every right to feel hurt your sister fired you,

I don't see why people are not getting how hurtful this would be.

What do you think about this challenging situation? Should the new mother prioritize her well-being and move without informing her sister, or is it important for family unity to let Lilly know and see the baby?

How would you handle such a delicate family issue? Share your thoughts and let us know what actions you would take in this scenario.

Davy