April 19, 2025 at 8:22 am

Family Members Want Them To Move Back Home To Take Care Of Their Grandmother, But They Refuse To Uproot Their Life

by Matthew Gilligan

woman sitting down with back against door

Pexels/Reddit

It’s a lot to ask someone to completely uproot their life under any circumstances.

And it’s even more extreme when they’re asked to do it for something they don’t even want to do.

That’s what’s happening in this story from Reddit’s “Am I the *******?” page, but the person who wrote it is standing firm in their decision.

Are they wrong?

Read on and see what you think.

AITA for refusing to uproot my life and move home to care for my grandmother?

“My grandparents played a huge role in raising my brother and I, as well as my aunt’s two kids.

Between her kids, me, and my brother, my grandparents’ house was a revolving door of children being dropped off while our parents worked full-time.

They weren’t great people…

As the oldest, I was expected to take on the most responsibility and became my grandmother’s “helper.”

My grandparents were verbally and emotionally abusive with no boundaries.

I spent significant time in their home, constantly being ordered around and reminded how much I owed them.

They lived in the house directly behind my dad’s, so there was no escaping it. If they needed something, they called.

If they wanted something done, I was expected to do it.

At 22, I was exhausted and moved away.

I’ve lived away from home for 8 years now and recently, I have been hearing about my grandparents’ declining health.

I was told my grandmother has dementia and my grandfather has limited time, but when I speak with them, they seem lucid.

I’ve attempted to clarify their condition with my dad and brother, but I’ve been met with vague, passive aggressive answers.

Hmmm…

I was recently laid off and called my aunt, who has a strong professional network, to see if she knew of any job openings.

Her reply was harsh- “I’ve got too much ******* stuff going on here to worry about you.”

I didn’t ask her to worry about me- I asked if she knew anyone hiring.

She then revealed the likely true reason she answered my call.

My grandfather is in assisted living, and she, my brother, and cousins are juggling work and “caregiving” shifts for my grandmother, who apparently can’t be left alone in the home anymore.

This was news to me.

She praised my brother and her daughter, comparing me negatively to them as always, then demanded I move home and become my grandmother’s full time caregiver because I’m currently unemployed.

They can’t catch a break!

She said I had to “give some to get some.” When I politely declined, she blamed my refusal on my mother “not raising me right,” despite my grandparents essentially raising us all.

My mother left when I was six, and my grandparents undermined both she and my dad completely.

They controlled everything about my upbringing, so I was essentially raised by the same people who raised my aunt.

Now, I feel like my aunt is trying the same manipulation with me.

When I pointed out that I have no medical training and suggested they hire a nurse, she dismissed it, claiming that due to “short staffing,” hiring a nurse wasn’t an option.

I know exactly what will happen if I agree- I’ll be trapped indefinitely, sacrificing my life while everyone else continues normally.

It’s a black hole I refuse to enter.

AITA for refusing to drop everything, move home, and become my grandmother’s unpaid caregiver?”

Take a look at what folks had to say on Reddit.

This person said they’re NTA.

Screenshot 2025 03 30 at 4.20.40 PM Family Members Want Them To Move Back Home To Take Care Of Their Grandmother, But They Refuse To Uproot Their Life

Another reader agreed.

Screenshot 2025 03 30 at 4.20.50 PM Family Members Want Them To Move Back Home To Take Care Of Their Grandmother, But They Refuse To Uproot Their Life

This individual has been there…

Screenshot 2025 03 30 at 4.21.04 PM Family Members Want Them To Move Back Home To Take Care Of Their Grandmother, But They Refuse To Uproot Their Life

Another Reddit user chimed in.

Screenshot 2025 03 30 at 4.21.30 PM Family Members Want Them To Move Back Home To Take Care Of Their Grandmother, But They Refuse To Uproot Their Life

And this individual didn’t hold back.

Screenshot 2025 03 30 at 4.21.39 PM Family Members Want Them To Move Back Home To Take Care Of Their Grandmother, But They Refuse To Uproot Their Life

They’re staying put!

And who could blame them?

If you thought that was an interesting story, check this one out about a man who created a points system for his inheritance, and a family friend ends up getting almost all of it.