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Mom Harasses Neighbors To Feed Her Starving Baby, They Refuse To Be Manipulated
Angry woman in an orange shirt yelling at the doorway, expressing frustration with grifter neighbor over money issues.

Mom Harasses Neighbors To Feed Her Starving Baby, They Refuse To Be Manipulated

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Americans don’t shy away from borrowing stuff from neighbors—53% say they would ask for a tool or ingredient from their next door neighbors. However, 21% say they would never do it at all. And if they’ve had a bad experience like this couple, it’s quite understandable.

This pair, while staying at a sober living facility, had a neighbor who would regularly ask to borrow things and money from them. But their last straw was when they refused to buy her baby formula and were accused of letting her baby starve. Looking for unbiased opinions, the woman shared her story online, asking who was the entitled one in the situation.

We reached out to the person who shared this story, and they kindly agreed to share more details. Read our conversation with the Redditor down below!

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    A woman was harassed by her neighbor for not buying her baby formula

    Angry woman confronting grifter neighbor, refusing to lend money, accused of starving her baby in tense doorway argument.

    Image credits: Prostock-studio (not the actual photo)

    She even asked to borrow money, but the woman knew she would never see that cash again

    Person refuses to lend money to grifter neighbor and faces accusations of starving her baby.

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    Person refuses to lend money to grifter neighbor and faces accusations of starving her baby in a tense dispute.

    Text excerpt describing a person frustrated with a grifter neighbor constantly asking for money and favors.

    Person refuses to lend money to grifter neighbor and faces accusations of starving her baby in dispute.

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    Alt text: Person refuses to lend money to grifter neighbor who then accuses them of starving her baby with fake tears.

    Text excerpt describing a person refusing to lend money to a grifter neighbor accused of starving her baby.

    Neighbor refuses to lend money to grifter and faces accusations of starving her baby in a heated dispute outside the door.

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    Person refuses to lend money to grifter neighbor and faces accusations of starving her baby in a tense dispute.

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    Stressed woman sitting on sofa, upset and frustrated after refusing to lend money to grifter neighbor.

    Image credits: sedrik2007 (not the actual photo)

    Text screenshot discussing someone dealing with a grifter neighbor refusing to lend money and accusations of neglect.

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    Person refusing to lend money to grifter neighbor, facing accusations of starving her baby due to boundaries on lending.

    Text excerpt about refusing to lend money to a grifter neighbor and accusations of starving her baby.

    Image credits: StillSoberB*****s

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    Sober-living houses are not for everybody—people have to want to get better

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    Sober-living homes, or recovery homes, are a pretty effective tool in reducing relapse chances for individuals who have had trouble with using addictive substances. Research shows that they “encourage personal transformation and substantially reduce relapse rates.”

    In the U.S., there are currently around 3,000 Oxford Houses (the largest network of such recovery homes). At any given time, some 25,000 people are staying there. As the Redditor who shared this story tells Bored Panda, sober-living situations are not for everyone. You have to want to be there in order for it to work.

    “Boundaries play a huge role in recovery, especially in rehab and sober living,” the netizen tells us. “Not everyone is on the same page. Some people are here for the right reasons, but others just want a free place to stay with no real desire to change.”

    “A lot of them are still stuck in that [dependance] mentality, and if you’re not careful, they can drag you down with them. There’s a fine line between being kind and being gullible, just like there’s a fine line between asking for help and taking advantage of someone. That’s why it’s so important to know where to draw the line and when to put your foot down,” the Redditor believes.

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    Woman sitting pensively on chair by window, reflecting after refusing to lend money to grifter neighbor accused of starving baby.

    Image credits: Andrea Piacquadio (not the actual photo)

    Today, the Redditor is really picky about who they let into their inner circle

    Living in a recovery home is a good exercise in showing compassion to others. This Redditor also finds it challenging to do so while protecting their peace of mind. “I have a big heart and wear it on my sleeve. Sometimes that’s a blessing, sometimes it’s a curse,” they tell us.

    “[Dependence] is a dog-eat-dog world, so when you get clean, you want to live differently. You hope others feel the same, and it’s disappointing when they don’t. You have to keep your guard up a lot, which sucks.”

    “But after staying clean for a while and surrounding yourself with good people, you start to recognize toxic energy and avoid it,” the Redditor says, honestly. “I personally go to meetings and then go home. If you’re not clean, you’re not in my circle. I hate to be that way. I have to protect my sobriety.”

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    Two people playing chess on a couch, illustrating tension between a person and their grifter neighbor over money issues.

    Image credits: Yan Krukau (not the actual photo)

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    “It takes hard work and dedication, but I swear, it is so worth it,” the Redditor says about their sobriety

    Today, the Redditor and their fiancé are mostly focused on finances. “I’m disabled, so he carries the load when it comes to work and bringing in income,” they tell us. “I hate that for him, but thank God he doesn’t mind.”

    Currently, the couple is still living in a recovery home. “We’re just over a month away from graduating the program, so we’ve been looking at apartments and figuring out what we can afford,” they tell Bored Panda.

    “Honestly, getting sober after so many years of using feels like you’re suddenly thrust into adulthood. And let’s be real, adulting sucks. We just take it one day at a time, try not to stress, and focus on priorities. Keeping a strong support system and avoiding high risk situations. Besides money, those are our main goals. Staying clean and moving forward.”

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    “Lastly, if anyone struggling happens to be reading this… there really is a better life out there,” the Redditor offers some inspiring words. “You just have to want it. It takes hard work and dedication, but I swear, it is so worth it. Life is beautiful. We just have to choose to open our eyes to it.”

    Woman wearing a bonnet and white robe resting in bed, reflecting exhaustion from dealing with a grifter neighbor conflict.

    Image credits: PNW Production (not the actual photo)

    The woman clarified that she’s open to helping people: “What I don’t like is clearly getting taken advantage of”

    Screenshot of an online discussion where a person refuses to lend money to a grifter neighbor, leading to accusations.

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    Online discussion where a person refuses to lend money to grifter neighbor and faces accusations of starving her baby.

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    Person refuses to lend money to grifter neighbor and faces accusations of starving her baby in online discussion.

    Screenshot of an online argument where someone refuses to lend money to a grifter neighbor accused of starving her baby.

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    Online discussion about person refusing to lend money to grifter neighbor and being accused of starving her baby.

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    Reddit user discusses refusing to lend money to a grifter neighbor who accuses them of starving her baby.

    Reddit user describes exhausting grifter neighbor behavior and refusing to lend money amid baby starvation accusations.

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    People congratulated the couple for standing their ground firmly

    Online conversation about grifter neighbor refusing to lend money and accusations of starving her baby in a recovery context.

    Reddit discussion about a person refusing to lend money to a grifter neighbor and false accusations of starving her baby.

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    Screenshot of a Reddit comment discussing refusing to lend money to a grifter neighbor and accusations of starving a baby.

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    Screenshot of an online comment discussing withholding money from a grifter neighbor accused of starving her baby.

    Alt text: Screenshot of a comment advising on setting boundaries with a grifter neighbor and warning about manipulation and false accusations.

    Comment on social platform discussing a person refusing to lend money to a grifter neighbor and being accused unfairly.

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    Person refuses to lend money to grifter neighbor and faces accusations of starving her baby in a heated dispute.

    Comment praising person for not enabling manipulative grifter neighbor and hoping she has learned her lesson.

    Comment discussing refusal to lend money to grifter neighbor accused of starving her baby in an online forum.

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    Comment discussing a grifter neighbor accused of starving her baby over lending money issues.

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    Screenshot of an online comment accusing a grifter neighbor of wanting money and being refused, related to starving her baby.

    Comment text explaining refusal to lend money to a grifter neighbor accused of starving her baby, expressing support for the decision.

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    Screenshot of a Reddit comment advising to notify sober living facility about a grifter neighbor needing additional services before lending money.

    Comment from user Good_Habit3774 advising to keep distance from a grifter neighbor refusing to lend money.

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    Comment reading She wanted to go get high Period expressing frustration with grifter neighbor refusing to lend money and accusations.

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    Comment about refusing to lend money to grifter neighbor accused of starving her baby, discussing standing ground.

    Comment advising caution about a grifter neighbor and protecting belongings from theft.

    Comment about refusing to lend money to grifter neighbor, protecting resources amid accusations of starving her baby.

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    Comment text on a white background about refusing to lend money to a grifter neighbor and being accused unfairly.

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    Screenshot of a Reddit comment praising sobriety and offering encouragement to someone recovering from addiction.

    Alt text: User discusses setting boundaries with a grifter neighbor after refusing to lend money amid accusations of starving her baby

    Later, it turned out that the neighbor might be even more problematic than they thought

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    Text excerpt from a person refusing to lend money to grifter neighbor and facing accusations of starving her baby.

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    Pamphlets on food banks and assistance offered to grifter neighbor accused of starving her baby after money refusal.

    Person refusing to lend money to grifter neighbor, accused of starving her baby, showing boundary and confrontation.

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    Text excerpt discussing a person refusing to lend money to a grifter neighbor accused of starving her baby.

    Text about refusing to lend money to a grifter neighbor and dealing with accusations of neglecting her baby.

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    Text discussing a person refusing to lend money to a grifter neighbor and facing accusations of starving her baby.

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    Kornelija Viečaitė

    Kornelija Viečaitė

    Writer, BoredPanda staff

    Read more »

    Hi there, fellow pandas! As a person (over)educated both in social sciences and literature, I'm most interested in how we connect and behave online (and sometimes in real life too.) The human experience is weird, so I try my best to put its peculiarities in writing. As a person who grew up chronically online, I now try to marry two sides of myself: the one who knows too much about MySpace, and the one who can't settle and needs to see every corner of the world.

    Read less »
    Kornelija Viečaitė

    Kornelija Viečaitė

    Writer, BoredPanda staff

    Hi there, fellow pandas! As a person (over)educated both in social sciences and literature, I'm most interested in how we connect and behave online (and sometimes in real life too.) The human experience is weird, so I try my best to put its peculiarities in writing. As a person who grew up chronically online, I now try to marry two sides of myself: the one who knows too much about MySpace, and the one who can't settle and needs to see every corner of the world.

    Justinas Keturka

    Justinas Keturka

    Author, BoredPanda staff

    Read more »

    I'm the Visual Editor at Bored Panda, responsible for ensuring that everything our audience sees is top-notch and well-researched. What I love most about my job? Discovering new things about the world and immersing myself in exceptional photography and art.

    Read less »

    Justinas Keturka

    Justinas Keturka

    Author, BoredPanda staff

    I'm the Visual Editor at Bored Panda, responsible for ensuring that everything our audience sees is top-notch and well-researched. What I love most about my job? Discovering new things about the world and immersing myself in exceptional photography and art.

    Jonas Žvilius

    Jonas Žvilius

    Author, BoredPanda staff

    Read more »

    In my spare time, I enjoy creating art - both in traditional and digital form, mainly in the form of painting and animation. Other interests include gaming and music. Favorite bands include Swans, The Strokes, The Beatles.

    Read less »

    Jonas Žvilius

    Jonas Žvilius

    Author, BoredPanda staff

    In my spare time, I enjoy creating art - both in traditional and digital form, mainly in the form of painting and animation. Other interests include gaming and music. Favorite bands include Swans, The Strokes, The Beatles.

    What do you think ?
    Nina
    Community Member
    4 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    There's a new update on the post stating that she was caught stealing make-up from another girl. In the subsequent search of their appartment they found different types of drügs. They were escorted of the premises and the cops (who were also called) put them in jail.

    Mike F
    Community Member
    4 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    When I was in treatment the counselors used to say "game knows game" and the woman begging $ is not really good at "game". Your first year or so is tenuous the best you can do. When some jerk who is obviously gaming the facility it can really wring you out. It seems that the beggar and her guy are just there for "three hots and a cot" to get themselves off the street and just don't give a 💩 what they do to screw up someone else's recovery. Here's hoping that the OP(and husband) keeps it together and on track, Minnie the moocher and her guy will flame out and end up getting the boot. And I don't have to point out how much better off the kid is away from those people.

    Load More Comments
    Nina
    Community Member
    4 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    There's a new update on the post stating that she was caught stealing make-up from another girl. In the subsequent search of their appartment they found different types of drügs. They were escorted of the premises and the cops (who were also called) put them in jail.

    Mike F
    Community Member
    4 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    When I was in treatment the counselors used to say "game knows game" and the woman begging $ is not really good at "game". Your first year or so is tenuous the best you can do. When some jerk who is obviously gaming the facility it can really wring you out. It seems that the beggar and her guy are just there for "three hots and a cot" to get themselves off the street and just don't give a 💩 what they do to screw up someone else's recovery. Here's hoping that the OP(and husband) keeps it together and on track, Minnie the moocher and her guy will flame out and end up getting the boot. And I don't have to point out how much better off the kid is away from those people.

    Load More Comments
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