AITA because I left my cousin’s house and then her bf left her?

A Reddit user shared a heated Thanksgiving visit with their cousin, where family tensions ran high. The cousin’s behavior toward her boyfriend, including constant yelling and demands, led to uncomfortable interactions. After witnessing another argument, the user decided to leave the house. The next morning, the boyfriend left with his child, prompting the cousin to blame the user for his departure. Read the full story below to uncover the drama.

‘ AITA because I left my cousin’s house and then her bf left her?’

I was visiting family for Thanksgiving. My cousin insisted that I stay at her house. The whole time I was there she was having her teenage kids do multiple task for her. Not really a big deal (teaches them core vaule lessons). Well after Thanksgiving the teenagers were out with friends etc. and the younger kids were back. She’s screaming at her bf (think they have been together 6 years and have a one year old together) to come get the baby.

That she needs a break. Not a biggie. He hasn’t sat down for a minute and she starts screaming and cussing why hasn’t he washed the dishes. He normal voice says, I’m taking care of the baby. More screaming and cussing. I tell him I’ll entertain the child and she gets mad about that.

Think this happen the night before. I came back after visiting other family and he was on the couch with the baby and she was doing something in the kitchen. We were just talking about different states and ect. (He’s an over the road truck driver and was home after being out 6 weeks).

She yells for him to come in the kitchen. I went to get a drink and he was sitting on a step stool while holding the baby. I jokingly asked was he grounded and my cousin said if I’m stuck in the kitchen he can be in here too. He can at least show me some support.

Around 9pm her son texts and said that he was spending the night again because it was so late and his ride didn’t feel like taking him home. He was with family of the bf and they had worked a college football game. She tells him to go get her son. He said why can’t he just stay another night. More cussing and screaming.

He left to go get the child, she grabbed the baby and went to her bedroom. I gathered my stuff and left and went to my dad’s house. I forgot that my watch was charging so I had to go back to get it. Found out he took his son and left that morning and she says it’s my fault. She has me blocked on social media, but my niece saying all kind of fucked up stuff.

Life is too short for drama. And for clarification I am not interested in her bf–my kid is older than him.

Let’s dive into the reactions from Reddit:

[Reddit User] −  NTA. Around 9pm her son texts and said that he was spending the night again because it was so late and his ride didn’t feel like taking him home. He was with family of the bf and they had worked a college football game. She tells him to go get her son. He said why can’t he just stay another night. More cussing and screaming. He left to go get the child, she grabbed the baby and went to her bedroom.

I gathered my stuff and left and went to my dad’s house. I forgot that my watch was charging so I had to go back to get it. Found out he took his son and left that morning and she says it’s my fault. She has me blocked on social media, but my niece saying all kind of fucked up stuff. Life is too short for drama. And for clarification I am not interested in her bf–my kid is older than him.

Your leaving may have inspired him to leave, but from what you describe your cousin is a living nightmare to live with and BF had had enough.

buttercupgrump −  NTA. Your cousin is unhappy and she’s taking that misery out on everyone else. All you did was remove yourself from a hostile environment.

4th_chakra −  Honestly, your cousin sounds completely o**rwhelmed, which has translated into outbursts of anger– some of which was directed at you because you happened to be in the blast zone. Teenage kids + a baby + a boyfriend that spends a lot of time away = she’s doing everything, and is frustrated...but that isn’t *your* problem. Unfortunately, that’s the life she’s living right now. You just happened to be there for a hot minute of it.

At any rate, she lashed out at you. Obviously her boyfriend leaving had nothing to do with you.. NTA.

nylonvest −  You’re kidding right? Obviously you had nothing to do with the boyfriend leaving her.. NTA.

elsie78 −  NTA. Your cousin it’s absolutely awful to her bf and kids. Treating them like servants. They all deserve better and kudos to BF for finally leaving. There’s no way this is all on you. BF was probably embarrassed and finally had enough.

MissNikiL −  NTA. You just witnessed your cousin abusing her partner. I understand being o**rwhelmed and wanting help. Being with a long-haul trucker is hard and not for everyone. But that does not give her the right to verbally abuse him. Ever. You were probably the first person she felt comfortable abusing him in front of and he likely had his lightbulb moment out of mortification.

lmchatterbox −  NTA. She’s got some personal issues that she needs to deal with either through therapy or some serious self-introspection.

Patient_Meaning_2751 −  Your cousin is gonna blame anybody but herself. Don’t sweat it.

BefuddledPolydactyls −  NTA. It’s merely a coincidence, two people who were staying there got tired of your cousin’s drama/screaming and left. Had more people been there, they likely would have left as well.

Ok-Possible9327 −  Yikes! Your cousin is either a nightmare, or totally o**rwhelmed without her partner around to help out more. Teenagers, younger kids, and a baby would be enough to make a saint insane. Is your cousin usually this volatile, or is this new behavior for her? She could be suffering from PPD too. It can last over a year if untreated. If she’s always Lime this, nobody would blame him for leaving, but if this is new, she needs help.

Whether it comes from the bf finding a way to be around more, or speaking to professionals, or getting help in the house. Is anyone close enough to her to find out? Your niece should either step in and help, or keep out of it. I hope everything works out okay for all involved. Obviously, your nta, just in the wrong place at the wrong time.