A woman shared her story on social media after her husband’s cousin and his family were made homeless and expected to move in with them but she refused to allow it
A conflicted social media user shared her story after she decided that her homeless cousin couldn’t stay with her.
The woman wanted advice on if she was in the wrong after refusing to let her husband’s cousin and his wife and children move into her family home. The family faced homelessness after not paying their rent and being evicted from their own home leaving them couch surfing.
Now they had reached out asking for help from her and her husband – but she did not want to let them move in. She explained: “My husband’s cousin Chris and his wife Rachel have 3 kids (13, 5, 3), and we’ve hung out twice since our daughter (7.5) was born. We’re not close. Rachel’s always been rude to me. Before my husband met me, Rachel had a thing for him and tried to date him. He never reciprocated and then when we became official, Rachel started dating Chris.”
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She continued on Reddit: “Chris called asking if they can move in with us as they’re homeless. Chris and Rachel missed rent payments and got evicted and have been couch surfing with their three kids for the past month or so. My husband said he would need to talk to me first.
“My immediate response was NO. Husband agreed although he felt bad. Chris’s family had been giving them money to make their rent payments and instead of paying rent, they used the money for other things. Chris works odd construction jobs and doesn’t make much. Rachel claims she can’t work because of ADHD.”
She then describes how the pair tried to emotionally blackmail them before the conversation turned sour. She continued: “Chris called back – husband apologised and said we don’t have the space – Chris tried to say we have 5 bedrooms. My husband clarifies that we don’t – we have 4, one of which is my office.
“Chris says he’s disappointed and he would’ve helped us. My husband says I WFH and need the house to be quiet. Chris says he doesn’t understand where we get the impression that their kids can’t be quiet and he’s offended. Rachel says we have the money and a big house to help but that we would rather see three kids end up on the streets because I’M greedy.
“I snap and tell her that her kids are not my responsibility and I’m not comfortable sharing my home with strangers. It’s not our problem that they mismanaged their finances and that maybe she shouldn’t have gotten her nails done every week and paid their rent instead. She responded that I don’t understand how hard they have it because I’m ‘privileged’ and providing for three kids isn’t cheap – so I said maybe she should get a job and stop using ADHD as an excuse, and they should’ve thought of that before having kids and hung up.”
She then explained how following the row other family members started trying to force their hand. She wrote: “Husband’s phone starts blowing up with calls from family members. He picks up Chris’s dad’s (Paul) call. Paul wants to know why we’re unwilling to help. I ask him why he and his wife haven’t opened their home as this is his son and grandkids after all.
“He says Chris/Rachel and the kids stayed for a week but their house is too small and it didn’t work out. I told him that we aren’t close to Chris/Rachel and have no obligation to them, and I suggested he and his wife reopen their home to their son and grandkids. He says they did open their home and now it’s our turn. I laughed and hung up.
“So now my husband’s family thinks that we’re cruel and heartless. We also haven’t disclosed that I’m pregnant which is also a big reason (they’re anti-vax and I don’t want to be exposed), and I’ll be going on mat leave for a year as of January so we’re trying to save up.”
Quick to respond other social media users rushed to tell the woman she should stand her ground and not let them stay in her home. One wrote: “I let my brother-in-law move in 9mo ago when he lost his job and became homeless. He still doesn’t have a job and I can’t figure out how to get him to move out. You will be in the same boat. They aren’t going to leave.”
A second added: “Never let them move in. You don’t even know them. You have seen them twice in 7 years! Rachel will try to replace you….you know it. She was interested in your husband and she will be trying her hardest to take your place. They will take over your whole house, and there will never be alone time or privacy ever again. This is such a terrible idea. They’re strangers!”
A third posted: “Chris and Rachel will never have money. Never make good decisions. They will be mooching and begging their whole lives while blaming the system.”
