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AITA for Breaking the News About Their Mom to My Nieces? In a heartbreaking family dilemma, a young woman faced the tough decision of telling her nieces about their mother’s death, despite their father’s reluctance. Two years ago, her sister-in-law died after a short illness, leaving behind two young daughters and a grieving husband. The narrator, who had become close to her nieces during their mother’s illness, stepped in to support the family.
As the nieces kept asking about their mother and their father struggling to cope, the narrator suggested the girls move in with her and her fiancé until their father could manage better. Even though her brother was against it and avoided therapy, the nieces thrived in their new environment with the help of the extended family.
Over the next two years, the nieces continued to ask about their mother. The narrator felt it was time to tell them the truth, despite her brother’s objections. With support from teachers, therapists, and a grief program, she decided to inform the girls to help them understand and cope.
The nieces showed surprising strength and accepted the news with the support of their community. Their father, however, was deeply upset, believing it wasn’t the narrator’s place to tell them and fearing it would harm the girls’ happiness. His friends agreed and criticized the narrator for acting without his consent.
In this emotional situation, the narrator focused on her nieces’ well-being, seeking professional help to guide them through their grief. Despite the conflict with her brother, she stands by her decision, wanting to provide the girls with the care they need. The family continues to deal with the aftermath, highlighting the complexities of grief, family duties, and tough choices in the face of loss.
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AITA for Breaking the News About Their Mom to My Nieces?
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Let’s swiftly assess a handful of the top comments: AITA for Breaking the News About Their Mom to My Nieces?
NTA. TWO YEARS?! These girls deserve to know, grieve and move on.
Their dad has abandoned and lied by omission for two whole years. He’s relinquished all rights to them by this point. By this point, they’re barely his daughter’s anymore. You’re their responsible adult. You can and should make these decisions as he’s not stepping up and has all but relinquished his parental rights.
You can’t only see your children 12 days/weekends in 2 years and still claim you know what’s best for them.
You might want to seriously consider speaking to a lawyer about your legal rights regarding your nieces.
WHAT? TWO years after she died? Holy shit. That was egregious.
He is barely in their lives, he isn’t dealing with his own grief and he’s projecting that onto them (they’ll never be the same, ruined happiness). It sounds like he is in serious need for intensive therapy.
NTA.
Brainjacker writes:
omg. they are never going to get over this betrayal.
ESH
NTA at all, 2 years!!?? That isn’t right at all. Someone had to do something, I’m sorry it had to be you, but it had to be done. Your brother needs some help though and I hope he gets it.
Now to be a bit harsh here, your brother saying “It’s not your place” is absolutely crazy in this context. He has effectively given up his kids at this point, and offers no financial assistance. He should really think about what his “place” is in this situation because it certainly isn’t being any type of father.
NTA.
Your brother is off his rocker to think that withholding the fact that their mother was dead, for two years, is in any way reasonable. He’s abandoned his parental role, but expects you to deal with his daughter’s wanting to see their mother?!! Just … no. At some point, they’re going to find out when their mother died and that they were lied to for 2 years (longer, if your brother had his way).
