AITAH for telling my sister and her kids they need to find their own place after living with me for almost three years
Almost three years ago my older sister and her two kids needed somewhere to stay. She had just left a bad relationship and her credit was trashed and she couldnt get approved for anything on her own. I had a three bedroom apartment that was just me and my son so I told her she could move in with us until she got back on her feet.
I gave her the bigger bedroom so she could be near the kids. My son and I moved into the smallest room. I literally bought a mini fridge and a microwave for our room because sharing the kitchen became impossible. Not because I was being petty but because the mess and the chaos was constant and I couldnt function in it. I just quietly made myself smaller.
The living room is my furniture. The dining table is mine. I dont use any of it anymore. Her kids stuff is everywhere. I come home from work and go straight to my room most nights because the common areas dont feel like mine anymore.
The original plan was maybe a year. Then a year turned into her saying she still couldnt qualify for a place because of her rental history. I renewed my lease for another year to give her more time. That lease is up in a few months and I told her Im not renewing again. Im looking for a new place for just me and my son.
She started crying and said they have nowhere to go. Said they might end up in a shelter. Her ex isnt helping with anything and she still hasnt been able to save enough for a deposit anywhere.
I feel terrible. I love those kids. But I have been putting my entire life on pause. My older daughter wants to come stay with me over breaks from school and theres literally no room. I started seeing someone last year and I cant even have him over because theres no space or privacy. My son is 11 now and sharing a tiny room with his mom and hes never once complained but I can tell hes over it.
Ive done everything I can think of. I helped her apply for assistance programs. I connected her with a housing counselor. I even offered to pay her deposit somewhere if she could get approved. But nothing has moved forward and I honestly dont know if its because she cant or because she knows she doesnt have to because Im here.
I dont want to think that about my own sister but three years is a long time and the situation hasnt changed at all. She still doesnt have savings. She still hasnt fixed her credit. And every time I bring up the timeline she cries and I fold.
Not this time though. I told her the lease ends and Im done and she hasnt spoken to me in four days.
AITAH?
