Woman Considers Evicting Husband's Cousin and His Family, Turns to the Internet for Guidance Because It Would Leave Them Homeless
"We'd have felt bad allowing her to become homeless while pregnant."
A 28-year-old woman is weighing a decision that sounds simple on paper and brutal in real life: evicting her husband’s cousin and the cousin’s family from their home.
It’s not like this came out of nowhere either. The cousin’s family has been given chances to get on their feet, but OP feels like they’ve been freeloading for too long, while she’s stuck trying to protect her own household, and especially her child, from the fallout.
Now OP is stuck between “they did nothing to earn this” and “kicking them out could leave them homeless,” so she turns to Reddit for judgment.
The Story Kicks Off
Reddit/No_Board1919They Had Done Nothing Up to This Point to Progress Towards That
Reddit/No_Board1919OP Feels Like They've Given Them More Than Enough of a Chance to Get on Their Feet
Reddit/No_Board1919
OP starts off explaining that they’ve tried to make it work, but the cousin’s family never really moved forward after all that time.
The Ethical Dimensions of Eviction
The decision to evict a family member can be fraught with ethical dilemmas. Such actions often reflect the complex interplay between personal responsibility and familial obligations. Research indicates that family members frequently struggle with the balance between helping and enabling, which can lead to long-term psychological consequences for both parties.
OP Has Offered the Following Explanation for Why They Think They Might Be the AH:
I might be the AH because if I kick out the entire family, it would make them homeless.
And the Comments Roll In...
Reddit/No_Board1919
Sending the Freeloader Over to Their House
Reddit/No_Board1919
People Who Think They Deserve a Free Ride
Reddit/No_Board1919
When people in the comments start calling out “sending the freeloader over to their house” and arguing about familial loyalty, the whole thread gets messy fast.
The psychological concept of 'familial loyalty' often complicates these decisions.
This also echoes the dilemma of the woman dealing with parents overstaying in their small apartment, and whether they should pay rent.
The OP Should Protect Her Child from That
Reddit/No_Board1919
The OP Reveals This in the Comments
I've been trying to avoid putting an eviction on their records, but that might just be what they need at this point. I looked into it already when the 90 days were up and determined that it would be our only legal option, though I decided against it since having it on their records will make it even harder for them to find a place.
Serving Eviction Papers
Reddit/No_Board1919
It's a Messed-Up World
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In the middle of it, OP reveals she looked into the 90-day timeline, and eviction is the only legal option, even though it could make finding housing harder.
The implications of homelessness are profound and multifaceted.
The OP's Not Responsible for Housing Them
Reddit/No_Board1919
The OP Can't Save the Baby
Reddit/No_Board1919
Stepping In and Helping
Reddit/No_Board1919
Then the discussion shifts to the baby and the idea that OP should protect her child, while commenters suggest shelters for homeless women with kids near where she lives.
To navigate such complex situations, individuals can benefit from seeking guidance from mental health professionals. Therapy can provide a safe space to explore feelings of guilt and obligation while developing strategies for maintaining healthy boundaries.
Some Redditors suggest that there might be shelters for homeless women with children where the OP resides, allowing her to leave her husband's relative on his own. The girlfriend doesn't want to work, and they won't ever leave on their own, but it's not due to the threat of homelessness; rather, it is because of their poor parenting.
Homelessness can change, but bad parents are permanent. The OP was declared not the AH, and that's a wrap.
The dilemma faced by the woman contemplating the eviction of her husband's cousin and his family underscores the intricate emotional and ethical landscape that such decisions entail. The potential consequences of leaving a family member homeless cannot be overlooked, as it raises questions about familial obligations and compassion. Engaging in transparent discussions about responsibilities is crucial in this scenario, as it can lead to more constructive family dynamics. By fostering an environment of understanding and support, families may find more compassionate pathways to resolve conflicts, rather than resorting to drastic measures that could fracture relationships irreparably.
The cousin’s family might not be capable of surviving this without help, but OP still has to live with the consequences of every choice.
Before you decide on eviction, see whether it’s fair to ask a cousin to pay rent after months inside your home, starting with the financially struggling cousin who overstayed.
