'My brother's wife left and now he wants me to do all of the housework'
In some relationships, housework is shared equally and for other couples, one person can take on the majority of the workload. This works for some families but for others, the lack of balance can cause conflict. For one couple, their lack of shared responsibility with housework and childcare has caused a major quarrel.
Despite agreeing to be a stay-at-home parent, the wife has changed her mind over the years and became unhappy. Her husband who has always wanted a traditional household believes that he should be the only one to be out earning a living and the lack of compromise has led to the wife leaving the home and ending their relationship.
Now the husband wants his sister to step in and help out but his sister refuses and the whole ordeal has the entire family at odds. The sister - who is 30 years old and four years younger than her brother - is childfree and not in a long-term relationship. Describing herself as career-focused, the sister thinks that the two girls, aged four and seven, are her brother's responsibility and does not see why she should have to step in to fill the gap left by her sister-in-law's absence.
Writing on the Reddit AITA forum, the sister told the community: "He is a grown adult and these kids are his responsibility. I made a choice to live the way I do and I do not want to sacrifice my life for his choices."
The request for this sister to step in is not just coming from her brother but the entire family. Adding further context to this debacle, the sister said: "My family is pressuring me onto this, saying stuff like how my brother does not know how to take care of kids and the little girls need a woman in their life, how family helps family. My brother is calling me cold-hearted for not even trying to help him. My brother doesn't know how to do even the most basic things -he is the kind of guy who never changed a diaper or toasted bread.”
Mum's touching gesture to young son who died leaves Morrisons shopper in tears
With the wife staying with distant relatives and saying that she cannot help in any way and that she will come back when she can, the pressure is on for this sister to step in and help with childcare and housework for her nieces.
People rushed to the comments to debate this dilemma and opinions were divided. One person said: "He wants a housekeeper, babysitter, cook and maid to replace the one that left him because of his disrespect for her and he wants a family member so he won't have to pay". Agreeing with this sentiment, another commenter said: "I feel sorry for the girls that their father is trying to foist them off on anyone who's willing to take them or even someone unwilling but that's not your fault. I don't think you should have to sacrifice your life to be his nanny. He can take some parenting classes."
Others disagreed and said that this sister should step up with one writing: "I know everyone else is saying it's not your responsibility, and it isn't, but this situation is a complete mess and you should do something practical but limited to improve the situation." Another agreed that the sister should help and said: "There is a moral obligation of every adult member of a family to protect and care for minor members of a family. If you do nothing, then you remain culpable to a lesser extent. Be a good auntie and at least be their advocate if you can't be their parent. Good luck."
Read more similar news:
Comments:
comments powered by Disqus
