Why do some people treat parenting like it’s a part-time gig they didn’t exactly sign up for? It’s like they thought raising kids was all about cuddles and cute outfits, then realized it also includes things like keeping them fed and warm. Suddenly, they’re “busy” or “overwhelmed” (translation: mysteriously unavailable) the moment responsibility shows up. You’d think they are allergic to parenting.
It’s wild how some folks vanish faster than free snacks at school the second their kid needs something. Just like one Redditor’s sister, who takes “absent parenting” to a whole new level by straight-up letting her kids freeze in winter.
More info: Reddit
Being a parent is hard work, but that doesn’t stop some folks from clocking out early
Image credits: Drazen Zigic / Freepik (not the actual photo)
One man helps his ex-brother-in-law get full custody of his kids after his sister lets them freeze in winter without proper clothing
Image credits: freepik / Freepik (not the actual photo)
One of the man’s nephews shows up at his door in shorts and a T-shirt in November, shivering and asking for a ride to school
Image credits: ufabizphoto / Freepik (not the actual photo)
The man takes the kid shopping and buys him coats and shoes, which he also buys for his other nephews, while his sister is out partying
Image credits: senivpetro / Freepik (not the actual photo)
The man finds out that his sister is hoarding blankets while her kids sleep in the cold
Image credits: DaFoxtrot86
The man and his parents work together with the woman’s ex to gather evidence against her, which helps the dad get full custody of the 3 kids
The OP (original poster) found himself stepping in when his nephew showed up at his door in November, shivering in nothing but shorts and a T-shirt. Meanwhile, his mom was living her best life, completely unfazed that her children were one frosty morning away from turning into human popsicles.
Mom wasn’t just neglectful – she was committed to it. Despite having a stash of blankets hidden away like some sort of twisted treasure hoard, she left her kids suffering through the cold without so much as a second thought—or a coat. But it wasn’t just winter clothes that were missing from her parenting checklist; she also left her kids without proper meals, a decent bed, or even shoes that weren’t disintegrating off their feet.
Luckily, the OP swooped in, taking matters in one hand and warm hoodies in the other. He put on his guardian angel cape, buying the kids coats, pants, socks, and even a sleeping bag so his youngest nephew wouldn’t turn into a human ice cube. And what did his sister do in response? Probably partied harder and told more lies—because if there’s one thing she’s good at, it’s dodging responsibility.
But it wasn’t just the OP who saw the writing on the wall. The kids’ dad was quietly gathering evidence, waiting for the perfect moment to make his move. And when he did, he took the kids and never looked back. The courts took one look at their mom’s track record and basically handed Dad full custody on a silver platter.
Now, the kids are safe, warm, and no longer have to wonder if dinner will actually show up. As for the mom, aka the Queen of Bad Decisions? Well, she gets to see them for two days a month—just enough time to manipulate them, concocting some elaborate sob story about how she’s the real victim here.
Image credits: freepik / Freepik (not the actual photo)
To find out more about the story, Bored Panda reached out to the poster for some comments. He told us that he is currently not in contact with his sister at all and that the only news he’s heard about her is that things aren’t going so well for her.
We wanted to know how the poster’s nephews feel now that they’re living with their dad full time. The poster told us that the kids are doing great since moving in with their father. He saw them recently and said they couldn’t be doing better—plus, the older two now have girlfriends.
We asked the poster to share an example of his sister’s manipulative behavior. He explained that his sister is the kind of manipulator who often doesn’t even realize what she’s doing. For example, “Sometimes she’d butter up or enable her kids so they’d side with her on things. She kept them from my birthday two years in a row, just to spite our mother.”
We wanted to know how the poster’s sister reacted when he stepped in to help her kids. He mentioned that she wasn’t happy at all. She even complained about the clothes he bought for her children, saying they made the kids dress more like him.
We asked the poster if there was ever a moment where his sister acknowledged her behavior or showed any sign of remorse. According to the poster, his sister only seemed remorseful when her actions started to backfire.
“I mentioned how she kept her kids away during my birthday two years running. When she realized how pissed I was, and wasn’t helping her anymore, she tried to apologize. Walked right up to my truck window and tried to give me an ‘I’m sorry, [poster].’ But I know her, and she wasn’t really sorry because she did it. She was sorry because I wasn’t helping her anymore,” the poster shared.
So, dear readers, what do you think of this story? Share your thoughts and comments below!
Netizens sided with the man, saying that he did the right thing by helping his ex-brother-in-law gain custody of the kids
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