Get Premium
Dark mode theme is available exclusively for premium users. Learn more about the benefits of subscribing.
No fees, cancel anytime.
Dark Mode 
No fees, cancel anytime 
then open in external browser
and click "Open in External Browser" 
Mom Sobs Over Phone As Teen Walks Out After Her Stepkids Trash His Things, He Hangs Up On Her
If family life were a sport, dealing with toddlers and teens under the same roof would definitely be an extreme event. You’ve got pint-sized chaos agents running wild, tiny disasters popping up like clockwork, and a teenager who just wants a clean room and some peace.
But in the world of blended families, personal space is a myth and patience is tested harder than your Wi-Fi during a Zoom call. And one Redditor learned that the hard way. But when he said “I’m done” and moved out, his mom responded with tears and guilt trips.
More info: Reddit
RELATED:
Some kids bring joy into your home, others bring destruction and questionable stains
Image credits: Pavel Danilyuk / Pexels (not the actual photo)
One 17-year-old moved out after his mom’s new stepkids trashed his room twice, peed on his clean clothes and ruined a photo of his late dad
Image credits: Kindel Media / Pexels (not the actual photo)
After dad’s passing, the teen’s mom moved in with her boyfriend and his 2 young kids, who trashed his room twice
Image credits: Lisa from Pexels / Pexels (not the actual photo)
After his mom’s stepkids peed on his clothes and ruined a pic of his late dad, the teen moved in with his grandparents, who are now very happy to have him there
Image credits: Silent_Leading3954
The teen has refused to move back home, even when his mom called him, begging him to return, for which he was labeled as selfish by her boyfriend
The OP (original poster) is a 17-year-old teen who lost his dad when he was 11. His mom started dating again, and eventually moved in with her new boyfriend, Dan, and his two tiny terrors, aged 4 and 6. But then came The Incident. What’s that, you ask? Well imagine coming home to find your room, your sanctuary, turned into a mini disaster zone.
Clothes everywhere, a bed that looked like it was attacked by raccoons, and worst of all? A puddle of pee on his clean clothes, courtesy of Dan’s 4-year-old. Oh, fun! But instead of being met with concern or even an apology, the OP was told to “not be mad” because, you know, kids will be kids. Apparently, kids being kids means your bedroom is now a public playground, and your laundry pile is fair game for potty training accidents.
And the worst part? The OP was forced to clean everything himself, because the kids were “too young” to do it themselves. Okay, I get that, but I’m guessing their dad is not too old to pick up after his kids, now is he? And before you think it was probably a one-time thing, let me tell you, it was not. A week later, déjà vu. This time, the destruction came with bonus heartbreak: a cherished photo of the OP and his late dad was destroyed.
After the second invasion, the OP stormed out, and rightfully so, and headed to grandma and grandpa’s place, where nobody urinates on his stuff or breaks irreplaceable keepsakes. Who knew grandparents were the ultimate roommates? His mom thought he’d be back in a week or two, but when he didn’t, she called him, desperately begging him to come home.
Image credits: Kaboompics.com / Pexels (not the actual photo)
But the OP wasn’t having any of his mom’s and Dan’s guilt trips, and quickly hung up the phone. So, is he the jerk for not moving back home? The pros would say he’s not. See, teenagers need safe, consistent personal spaces to feel secure. Respecting their need for personal space and privacy is essential for their well-being, especially for kids who have lost a parent.
Because losing a parent during childhood is a major emotional blow that can affect development long-term. For teens, it can be especially brutal—they’re already juggling puberty, school pressure, and social drama, and now they’ve got grief tagging along like a clingy shadow.
It can mess with their sense of safety and identity. They may experience feelings of abandonment, confusion, and anxiety, which impact their self-esteem and ability to trust others. And when they’re forced to share space with new people before they’ve even had a chance to process the loss? They may feel isolated or invisible, struggling to deal with life without enough emotional support.
At the end of the day, if your parent is more protective of a four-year-old’s bladder than your emotional well-being, maybe it’s time to upgrade roommates.
What do you think of this story? Drop your thoughts and comments below!
Netizens side with the teen, saying he is not a jerk for refusing to move back home after his mom called him crying
Poll Question
Total votes ·
Thanks! Check out the results:
Total votes ·
Newsletter
Subscribe to Access
Exclusive Polls
By entering your email and clicking Subscribe, you're agreeing to let us send you customized marketing messages about us and our advertising partners. You are also agreeing to our Privacy Policy.
Thank you! You've successfully subscribed to newsletters!
What do you think ?
Paul C 6 months ago
I wonder if Dan encouraged his kids to do that? At least the second time, in the hope of getting rid of the OP. It's unusual, to say the least, that children could be so disgusting at such a young age, without some prodding. Sadly, it's another case of a parent abandoning their child for a shiny new partner they found on the street (or the Internet nowadays). If she was any sort of mother, she would have made d**n sure the little brats couldn't have done it a second time.
Nina 6 months ago
Yeah if it was just kids playing around, the damage wouldn't be like that. Also, the kids didn't go to daddy his room and wreck that (or any other place). Where were the adults when all of this happened?
Load More Replies...
bElLa sTairZz 6 months ago
had this exact thing happen to me with my aunts kids, it sucks so bad, and somethings just never get repaired. so glad that OP could get out of that situation
Becca not Becky 6 months ago (edited)
1) Why would you move your BF/GF in when there are kids involved? That's going to be way too chaotic for everyone. I would personally say get married first (if there are kids involved). 2) Why is that 4 yo not potty trained? Maybe the change to living situation caused some regression (totally normal) but that needs to be addressed. 3) The kids broke an office chair? Major safety issues there. Kids that young need to be supervised. 4) This is a gross disrespect of boundaries. When blending a family, you can't expect the kids to immediately be best friends, especially with such an age difference. Teen needs his space. 5) I agree that the move-in should have waited until the teen was 18 and graduated. Mom and Dan really didn't plan this out and the whole situation has been poorly handled.
megabeth 4 months ago
What would be so different if they were married? Honest question.
Load More Replies... Paul C 6 months ago
I wonder if Dan encouraged his kids to do that? At least the second time, in the hope of getting rid of the OP. It's unusual, to say the least, that children could be so disgusting at such a young age, without some prodding. Sadly, it's another case of a parent abandoning their child for a shiny new partner they found on the street (or the Internet nowadays). If she was any sort of mother, she would have made d**n sure the little brats couldn't have done it a second time.
Nina 6 months ago
Yeah if it was just kids playing around, the damage wouldn't be like that. Also, the kids didn't go to daddy his room and wreck that (or any other place). Where were the adults when all of this happened?
Load More Replies... bElLa sTairZz 6 months ago
had this exact thing happen to me with my aunts kids, it sucks so bad, and somethings just never get repaired. so glad that OP could get out of that situation
Becca not Becky 6 months ago (edited)
1) Why would you move your BF/GF in when there are kids involved? That's going to be way too chaotic for everyone. I would personally say get married first (if there are kids involved). 2) Why is that 4 yo not potty trained? Maybe the change to living situation caused some regression (totally normal) but that needs to be addressed. 3) The kids broke an office chair? Major safety issues there. Kids that young need to be supervised. 4) This is a gross disrespect of boundaries. When blending a family, you can't expect the kids to immediately be best friends, especially with such an age difference. Teen needs his space. 5) I agree that the move-in should have waited until the teen was 18 and graduated. Mom and Dan really didn't plan this out and the whole situation has been poorly handled.
megabeth 4 months ago
What would be so different if they were married? Honest question.
Load More Replies... You May Like Woman Excludes Her Daughter-In-Law For Years Then Acts Surprised When She Goes No-Contact Woman Is Made To Choose Between Work And Husband's Family, Picks Her Career: "Just Figure It Out" Woman Finds A Savage Way To Shut Down MIL Who Insists On Watching Her Give Birth
Mindaugas Balčiauskas
Jonas Žvilius
Greta Jaruševičiūtė
Related on Bored Panda
51
24