AITAH for telling my parents they could be a part of my kid’s lives if they gave me my inheritance?

A Redditor shares their story of cutting off their parents after they lost the majority of their inheritance through risky investments. Now, the parents want to reconnect and meet their grandchildren, but the user has set a condition: return the lost inheritance with interest.

Read the full story below to decide whether this ultimatum is justified or overly harsh.

 

‘ AITAH for telling my parents they could be a part of my kid’s lives if they gave me my inheritance?’

My grandparents passed away when I was very young. They left me an inheritance that would have paid for my education and helped me get started in life. If my parents had left it alone I would be in a good place.

My cousins and older sister are all debt free and own their own homes. My dad decided that he could do better than the account my grandfather left my money in. I got $27,000 when I was old enough to get my money.

That was about 10% of what everyone else got. My parents also lost a bunch of money that had been left to my mom. I have cut my parents out of my life. They were not invited to my wedding and they have not met my kids.

My sister is child free so I have their only grandchildren. My parents want to be a part of their lives. I said that if they replaced my money, with interest, I would forgive them and allow them to meet my kids.

They say that I’m being ridiculous and that the amount of money I’m asking for would put a huge dent in their retirement fund. I asked them how much they would have if my i**ot father didn’t think he knew better than my grandfather?

My sister thinks I’m being mean. I told her that she was welcome to give me her money if she didn’t think it was a factor. She said she wasn’t going to do that. I also suggested she go have a kid if she wants them to have grandchildren.

Once again that was not an option. It has been years, obviously, and I’m still pissed that they stole my future just for my father’s ego. To show he could turn a profit investing like my grandfather had.. AITA?

Here’s the input from the Reddit crowd:

Bertie-Marigold −  “A huge dent in their retirement fund” means they have it, and they owe it to you, so it’s not a dent, it’s restitution. NTA

No_Cockroach4248 −  You were a minor, your parents were trustees of your Inheritance. If they were not qualified to invest the money, they should have sought professional advice. You have to be monumentally irresponsible to lose 90%.

Check your local laws, I think you are entitled to a full accounting from your parents; ie they have to provide details of how they managed to lose 90%. I am a suspicious person, how could they have lost 90% of your inheritance but not your sister’s and their own retirement money? I would also check if you are still able to sue them.

Just tell them you are kind in not suing them and getting them embarrassed in public for their stupidity. NTA; you are too kind I would have sued and placed a lien on their assets so that they cannot sell until you have been paid.

LuRouge −  People need to put protections and lock on money they leave for grandkids so this s**t doesn’t happen. I’m a cynic so I’m alway cautious. Don’t matter if it’s my son/daughters kids.

I’m leaving it for them. Only they are touching it. Tell your sister to leave her opinions to herself since she got wjat she was left. You got what was left over.

Far-Season-695 −  NTA family doesn’t automatically mean access to kids. You gave them terms and it’s up to them to decide.

JanetInSpain −  Wah wah wah, they blew that money and they owe it to you. It wasn’t left to them. It was left to you.

You are not being mean. You’re being logical and realistic. That’s the price of interacting with their grandkid. Pay up or shut up. This IS a hill to die on. You are NTA. “But family” is a stupid reason to keep or allow abusive people in your life.

celticmusebooks −  INFO curious do you have actual proof they “lost” the money in bad investments? Is it possible they simply shifted the assets to their own retirement accounts?

BlueGreen_1956 −  NTA. Your parents seemed not to grasp the idea that actions have consequences.

Conscious-Bar-1655 −  That was about 10% of what everyone else got. The amount of money I’m asking for would put a huge dent in their retirement fund.

I don’t understand this. They’ve lost 90% of your money but they have *a retirement fund* ? So basically… ***you’re their retirement fund*** ?. NTA and get a lawyer….

Unexpected_bukkake −  NTA – get a lawyer. If it was you money and they spent it, get a lawyer and get it back.

joe-lefty500 −  NTA. Consider getting a lawyer. They’ve stolen your money

Is it fair to tie family reconciliation to financial restitution, or does it unfairly commodify relationships? What would you do if your parents jeopardized your financial future? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below!