Should I Refuse to Let My Sister and Kids Move In Due to Housing Struggles?

A 28-year-old woman refused to let her sister and two little kids move in, and honestly, the drama is already brewing. She just landed a new job and finally got her own cozy two-bedroom apartment, the kind where you can hear your own thoughts and not step around toys in the hallway.

But her younger sister is having a rough time, messy breakup fallout included, and now she’s stuck in a cramped studio with her kids, ages 3 and 5. Yesterday, she asked to move in “temporarily” for a few months, until she finds her own place, and OP is stuck weighing love and loyalty against privacy, space, and the fear that “temporary” turns into forever.

Now OP is wondering if saying no makes her the bad sister, or if letting them in would wreck the life she just built.

Original Post

So, I (28F) recently moved into a cozy two-bedroom apartment in the city after landing a new job. I've been enjoying my independence and setting up my space how I like it.

Quick context: My younger sister (25F) has been going through a rough patch, dealing with a messy breakup and now facing housing issues. She has two young kids, ages 3 and 5, and currently lives in a cramped studio.

Yesterday, she reached out to me, asking if they could move in with me temporarily until she gets back on her feet. She mentioned it would only be for a few months until she finds her own place.

Here's the thing - I love my sister and my nephews, but I'm worried about the impact on my space and lifestyle. I'm used to having my own freedom and privacy, and having them move in would definitely change the dynamic.

I'm torn between wanting to help my family and wanting to maintain my independence. I know she's struggling, but I'm also afraid it could become a longer-term situation than initially planned.

So AITA for considering saying no to my sister and her kids moving in with me?

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It’s also like the woman who inherited the family home and still had to decide if her struggling sister could stay.

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OP’s new job and fresh two-bedroom setup sound perfect, right up until her sister calls and asks for “just a few months.”

The moment OP pictures her sister’s two kids, ages 3 and 5, living in her space, the whole apartment vibe changes instantly.

And once the sister says it’s temporary after the breakup, OP’s biggest fear kicks in, that “temporary” will stretch past the point she can handle.

So now OP has to decide whether to offer help to her sister in need, or protect the independence she fought to get.</p>

What do you think about this situation? Let us know in the comments.

Nobody wants to gamble their new apartment on a “few months” promise.

For another brutal eviction boundary test, read what happened when OP faced her sister after eviction.