Redditor Asks If She's A**hole For Taking Opportunity To Leave Her Toxic Family Home As Teenager
Sadly, not everyone is blessed with a loving and supportive family. And, for some people, their home life can even be damaging and toxic.
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That was the case for Reddit user u/notorphanannie09, and she recently shared her story in the r/AITA (Am I The A**hole?) subreddit. She explained that she and her sister grew up in a hostile household where they were made to feel unwanted by their mother and stepfather.
The OP says she doesn't necessarily consider what she experienced as abuse; however, her older sister was the one weathering most of it. Sadly, the Redditor's sister passed away right before the OP's 13th birthday, and all the household hostility was turned on her.
Her sister's girlfriend, Caroline, saw how much the OP was suffering, and she tried her best to support her. When the OP was 14, Caroline approached the Redditor's parents and asked them if they would allow her to go and live with her.
The OP's stepfather was immediately keen on the idea, but according to the OP's mom, she felt pressured into agreeing. The Redditor moved out the following week.
Of course, Caroline wasn't wealthy by any means, but her home had two bedrooms, and the OP enjoyed privacy and security. The Redditor finished high school while she lived with Caroline and went on to have a normal life.
After the OP left home, she didn't have much contact with her mother or other siblings. They weren't close to begin with, so the OP didn't see any point in staying in touch.
When the OP's stepfather passed away, she decided to attend his funeral to be polite. But she was met with a flurry of insults from her family for "abandoning" them.
It became clear that after the OP left, all of the hostility was turned onto her younger siblings. The OP's mom said she took advantage of her and had bailed on their family.
The OP's mom told her she should have stayed with her family and that she had a nerve to show up at the funeral to "play pretend." But the Redditor says she doesn't think she was wrong for wanting to leave all those years ago.
Now the OP is wondering if she's the a**hole here. Keep scrolling to see how people reacted.
The Redditor asked if she's an a**hole for taking the opportunity to leave home as a teenager.
She explained that she and her sister grew up in a hostile household where they were made to feel unwanted by their mother and stepfather.
The OP says she doesn't necessarily consider what she experienced as abuse; however, her older sister was the one weathering most of it.
Sadly, the Redditor's sister passed away right before the OP's 13th birthday, and all the household hostility was turned on her.
Her sister's girlfriend, Caroline, saw how much the OP was suffering, and she tried her best to support her.
When the OP was 14, Caroline approached the Redditor's parents and asked them if they would allow her to go and live with her.
The OP's stepfather was immediately keen on the idea, but according to the OP's mom, she felt pressured into agreeing.
Of course, Caroline wasn't wealthy by any means, but her home had two bedrooms, and the OP was able to enjoy privacy and security.
The Redditor finished high school while she lived with Caroline and went on to have a normal life.
After the OP left home, she didn't have much contact with her mother or other siblings.
When the OP's stepfather passed away, she decided to attend his funeral to be polite.
It became clear that after the OP left, all of the hostility was turned onto her younger siblings.
The OP's mom said she took advantage of her and had bailed on their family.
The OP's mom told her she should have stayed with her family and that she had a nerve to show up at the funeral to "play pretend."
But the Redditor says she doesn't think she was wrong for wanting to leave all those years ago.
Here's how people reacted.
"You did nothing wrong."
"Your desire to be respectful was surely not reciprocated."
"You were a kid."
"I can't imagine a parent doing that."
"These people are only there to hurt you and tear you down."
What are your thoughts on this situation? Do you think the OP was wrong to leave her family home at such a young age, or was her family to blame for mistreating her?
We would love to hear your opinions on this. You can share your thoughts with us in the comment section.