Should I Help My Struggling Dads Carpentry Shop Financially?

AITA for refusing to lend money to my struggling dad's carpentry shop, despite feeling guilty about setting boundaries to protect my own financial well-being?

Sophia

Published in Interesting
20 Nov 2025

Should I Help My Struggling Dads Carpentry Shop Financially?

In the intricate web of family dynamics, money often becomes a contentious subject, especially when it involves the delicate balance of support and self-preservation. In this Reddit thread, a young man, recently returned to his parents’ home due to his own financial challenges, is grappling with a familiar dilemma: whether to lend money to his father, who runs a struggling carpentry shop.

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The post raises an important question about familial obligation versus personal responsibility, as the son reflects on his father's history of borrowing without repayment. As he navigates his own financial struggles, the son finds himself torn between the desire to support his father and the need to protect his own financial stability.

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The pressure mounts as his father repeatedly asks for help, despite the strain it has caused in their relationship in the past. This situation prompts a broader discussion about the intricacies of familial financial support and the importance of setting boundaries, especially when past assistance has not yielded positive outcomes.

Join the conversation as Redditors weigh in on whether the son is justified in his refusal to lend money, sharing insights on how to maintain healthy boundaries with family while fostering a sense of responsibility and care. What do you think?

Original Post

I (32M) recently moved back in with my parents due to some financial struggles I've been facing. My dad, Marko (72M), runs a small carpentry shop that has been struggling for years.

He's been asking me for financial help to cover overdue bills for his shop. Marko has a history of borrowing money from me, and I've always felt guilty refusing him, but I'm currently under a lot of stress due to my own financial situation.

Today, when he asked me for money again, I hesitated and told him I couldn't lend him any more money. This left me feeling incredibly guilty and stressed.

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For background, Marko has a habit of not repaying the money he borrows from me. I've tried to help him out in the past, but it always ends up straining our relationship and causing me financial strain.

While I want to support my dad, I also need to prioritize my own financial stability. I'm torn between feeling responsible for helping my dad and protecting my own financial well-being.

So AITA?

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