Imagine being asked to take in your sister’s three young children after she passes away from a terminal illness. Sounds like a no-brainer, right? Well, not for this 25-year-old woman who, along with her husband, is staunchly childfree. When her estranged sister, who has been diagnosed with brainstem glioma, asks her to take care of her kids, she flat-out refuses. The reasons she gives are shocking and have sparked a heated debate. Let’s dive into this emotional rollercoaster of a story.
The Heartbreaking Diagnosis
![Image credit: interestingstaff6566 | interestingstaff6566](https://static.diply.com/f9054e67-efd4-43c5-9cff-77ad4365261a.png)
The Kids in Question
![Image credit: interestingstaff6566 | interestingstaff6566](https://static.diply.com/0682919f-c40b-459b-840f-1960eb27867d.png)
The Childfree Life
![Image credit: interestingstaff6566 | interestingstaff6566](https://static.diply.com/362ea8a9-bd50-4f8c-9f49-faa23ed222b3.png)
Religion and Language Barriers
![Image credit: interestingstaff6566 | interestingstaff6566](https://static.diply.com/5a2373fe-6e2e-4b82-95de-ac8ad73791a6.png)
Estranged Sisters
![Image credit: interestingstaff6566 | interestingstaff6566](https://static.diply.com/9aedd5b5-d6b6-4e18-9b2b-67159d76a3c7.png)
Standing Her Ground
![Image credit: interestingstaff6566 | interestingstaff6566](https://static.diply.com/87107bab-674e-466c-a7e2-93d5406fdad1.png)
Offering Help, But Not a Home ️♀️
![Image credit: interestingstaff6566 | interestingstaff6566](https://static.diply.com/551f7fd6-256a-4c12-80f3-2936a8e5d7b1.png)
The Final Decision
![Image credit: interestingstaff6566 | interestingstaff6566](https://static.diply.com/1880feb9-d9bb-4df6-978d-95c8c71b19d8.png)
Mental Health Matters
![Image credit: interestingstaff6566 | interestingstaff6566](https://static.diply.com/235ff4f6-8285-46ee-8f5d-0c985382d2fe.png)
A Plea for Understanding
![Image credit: interestingstaff6566 | interestingstaff6566](https://static.diply.com/f56fd907-7ed4-4aac-af6c-af8562641214.png)
A Life-Changing Decision: The Internet Weighs In
So, who’s really in the wrong here? The sister, who’s facing a terminal illness and desperate to secure a future for her children? Or the woman who refuses to take them in, citing her childfree lifestyle, mental health issues, and the fact that she barely knows her sister or the kids? We’ve collected some of the most thought-provoking responses from the internet for your reading pleasure. It’s time to decide: is she being heartless or just protecting her own life?
NTA. Ancestry DNA kits could help find kids’ father(s).
![Image credit: jajbliss | jajbliss](https://static.diply.com/be120437-da70-46d4-8f8f-02f74981a378.png)
Religious hypocrisy exposed in comment section
![Image credit: lockmama | lockmama](https://static.diply.com/f5abf518-0791-437c-a63f-512cfda1dad2.png)
NAH for not taking in sister’s kids, but sister’s behavior is AH.
![Image credit: NUT-me-SHELL | NUT-me-SHELL](https://static.diply.com/75ea2d54-cad9-4d06-9d79-00400975288a.png)
Suggest satanic initiation or religious upbringing to avoid taking kids
![Image credit: houshione | houshione](https://static.diply.com/a9ba4956-947a-4c9a-8c6d-2bfcfc81e247.png)
Friends should take the kids, not a stranger.
![Image credit: NoInevitable1806 | NoInevitable1806](https://static.diply.com/be2a7498-462c-441d-861a-c1132b541558.png)
OP is NTA for not wanting to take in her sister’s kids.
![Image credit: Veilchengerd | Veilchengerd](https://static.diply.com/ef085d19-aebd-4b22-a3c6-298d87774ff7.png)
Choosing not to take on family’s kids. NTA
![Image credit: redheadedravenclaw | redheadedravenclaw](https://static.diply.com/e06ca170-a32d-4f8b-893e-f2be9004c766.png)
NTA. OP’s sister had a tubal ligation at 22. It’s not her responsibility.
![Image credit: bunluv136 | bunluv136](https://static.diply.com/6fe2983f-28b5-4920-aaf2-95be166f8608.png)
Choosing not to take in a dying sister’s kids. NTA.
![Image credit: No-Jellyfish-1208 | No-Jellyfish-1208](https://static.diply.com/bc3b325f-7705-4fa1-8f7e-e4b9476864c2.png)
NTA, but finding a family through church is risky
![Image credit: 3kidsonetrenchcoat | 3kidsonetrenchcoat](https://static.diply.com/a987ac0f-270d-40a4-adfc-f77d58c30146.png)
NTA. No bad reason to remain child free
![Image credit: middlingwhiteguy | middlingwhiteguy](https://static.diply.com/8f5283f0-97b0-44ef-b8eb-a26cc95a4296.png)
NTA. Choosing to be child-free is a fundamental decision. DNA tests needed to find fathers.
![Image credit: harimarierose | harimarierose](https://static.diply.com/36acf0b0-d33c-4999-9d33-af74626f94f1.png)
Community support for kids’ religious upbringing suggested
![Image credit: cerjac871 | cerjac871](https://static.diply.com/a9d6a1a7-bded-4692-b526-17aacd4da847.png)
Commenter and replies agree that others can raise the kids , with a touch of frustration
![Image credit: flamefirestorm | flamefirestorm](https://static.diply.com/7b04c3d0-be4d-43cc-9622-3c971189253a.png)
Compassionate suggestion for a difficult situation.
![Image credit: Scarecrowqueen | Scarecrowqueen](https://static.diply.com/a3242bdd-1bd2-429c-8149-27a0f601065e.png)
Heartbreaking situation, but NTA for not taking on children alone.
![Image credit: choc0kitty | choc0kitty](https://static.diply.com/7694302e-0a5c-4508-a8b1-8a1a44472255.png)
Being a parent requires readiness, willingness, and ability. NTA.
![Image credit: rpepperpot_reddit | rpepperpot_reddit](https://static.diply.com/a0cb081a-57dc-4034-9684-d71e51408ac8.png)
Don’t judge too quickly, taking care of kids is tough
![Image credit: deannainwa | deannainwa](https://static.diply.com/59a746ab-082e-401e-b22b-77de5371b10d.png)
Adopting a child is a big commitment. NTA for refusing.
![Image credit: cl0ckwork_f1esh | cl0ckwork_f1esh](https://static.diply.com/132001d6-c734-4536-93cc-78f5ab5b4c3a.png)
Choosing not to raise someone else’s kids is understandable
![Image credit: Slight-Curve8697 | Slight-Curve8697](https://static.diply.com/4d789a3a-dffa-4d23-b398-45f61524344c.png)
Child-free couple shares advice on sister’s dying wish dilemma
![Image credit: Chay_Charles | Chay_Charles](https://static.diply.com/ecba6e85-6717-4efe-abfc-f835ed136fe2.png)
Respectful refusal to take sister’s kids with controlling conditions. NTA.
![Image credit: AllKindsOfCritters | AllKindsOfCritters](https://static.diply.com/131a7baf-fc52-41d0-90ad-e2dd4a329efb.png)
Raising kids requires more than just basic needs. NTA.
![Image credit: Fickle-Willow4836 | Fickle-Willow4836](https://static.diply.com/785fdb51-5c88-4df7-aa58-5b14ea44928d.png)
Debate over stepfather’s obligation to raise non-biological children.
![Image credit: CarlGustav2 | CarlGustav2](https://static.diply.com/05f5393a-c165-49dd-b836-0e54b4cd05e4.png)
Standing your ground against a needy but greedy sister
![Image credit: BedKitty | BedKitty](https://static.diply.com/f51c1b1d-7a42-4ab4-ad9d-e5cabf34d9c0.png)
Biological fathers should be given a chance to parent their kids before it’s too late.
![Image credit: Lopsided-Shallot-124 | Lopsided-Shallot-124](https://static.diply.com/84aa538d-ebac-442a-98a9-a1eeac3b6c59.png)
A kind stranger offers to adopt all of the sister’s kids
![Image credit: PrettyLyon43 | PrettyLyon43](https://static.diply.com/2a24d904-f55d-4fda-897f-90308943e763.png)
Choosing to be child-free doesn’t make you selfish. NTA
![Image credit: invisiblebyday | invisiblebyday](https://static.diply.com/b8caad13-16ca-43b9-b845-7dbaf6f58b22.png)
Sister refuses to take dying sister’s kids. NTA. Suggestions given.
![Image credit: haunter_of_the_woods | haunter_of_the_woods](https://static.diply.com/7388bd01-6d31-4ed2-8f83-71885d76a6d2.png)
Friends step up to care for kids, relieving commenter’s burden
![Image credit: Ratephant | Ratephant](https://static.diply.com/b5b967d2-b607-4c23-9010-01361e7ff0b5.png)
Blood doesn’t mean obligation. NTA can block everyone, friends help.
![Image credit: Avocadosarecool2000 | Avocadosarecool2000](https://static.diply.com/91f6603a-b136-4254-9812-9370e1265619.png)
Engaging debate on whether OP should take in sister’s kids
![Image credit: Radijs | Radijs](https://static.diply.com/5c35a1b0-ef9b-461e-8de0-e4fef2495c8d.png)
Not responsible for sister’s kids. Refusing dying wish is okay.
![Image credit: DuckInMyHeart | DuckInMyHeart](https://static.diply.com/3f3125c7-3963-417a-8868-cd84c81e94a6.png)
Sneaky solution to avoid taking sister’s kids
![Image credit: houshione | houshione](https://static.diply.com/43b996c8-1614-4cea-acf6-4f9afa1521a9.png)
Adoption requires genuine desire for kids. NAH for not adopting.
![Image credit: NotYourMutha | NotYourMutha](https://static.diply.com/6ef92dd5-00cb-4db4-96d5-3829b743f628.png)
No a**holes here, but where are the closer friends and fathers?
![Image credit: GingerMinx6 | GingerMinx6](https://static.diply.com/ecf93b76-d5dd-47b8-9b52-f45d6050083f.png)
Not the a**hole for refusing to take care of her sister’s kids
![Image credit: Raxendyl | Raxendyl](https://static.diply.com/d516e27a-da80-4708-a814-7919313a32e6.png)
Choosing to be child-free after abuse is valid and kind. NTA.
![Image credit: MdmBtrfly | MdmBtrfly](https://static.diply.com/fe032fe9-57e8-41a0-8ced-bfbdda18d6e5.png)
Christianity, adoption, and anti-abortion beliefs – a delicate balance.
![Image credit: Unit-Healthy | Unit-Healthy](https://static.diply.com/a5bd9658-41f0-44a9-9d65-48bd242c3ed8.png)
Strangers volunteering to take in the kids, NTA wins.
![Image credit: [deleted] | [deleted]](https://static.diply.com/380b33d3-ea70-4681-a2d4-6b4ac77d552f.png)
User refuses to take sister’s kids, suggests she rely on God
![Image credit: thecultcanburn | thecultcanburn](https://static.diply.com/e030e3c3-1395-4f55-bf89-c68054f4adca.png)
Commenter suggests adoption or finding biological fathers for kids.
![Image credit: OneTwoWee000 | OneTwoWee000](https://static.diply.com/0e853cd3-13aa-438a-8a9d-d36aee5a8d1b.png)
Commenter sympathizes with OP but questions sister’s religious beliefs
![Image credit: swim_and_sleep | swim_and_sleep](https://static.diply.com/8cc50fe5-e079-47e6-9f44-13978d316610.png)
Block them all! DNA test for fathers. Take control.
![Image credit: Zel_lost_it | Zel_lost_it](https://static.diply.com/61bff04e-350b-42d6-a929-d255180d2390.png)
Un-biological father not obligated to take dying sister’s kids
![Image credit: Vessiliana | Vessiliana](https://static.diply.com/93ff4a14-2cc7-4c03-a2d5-b18f350ee51f.png)
Setting boundaries is important. ‘No’ is a complete sentence.
![Image credit: MissAnth | MissAnth](https://static.diply.com/c7154af6-571d-4796-a7fe-77b50be0c53b.png)
Choosing the kids over an unwilling parent. NTA
![Image credit: Creative-Play1848 | Creative-Play1848](https://static.diply.com/fa66dd6b-9701-4613-9bd6-a18a64684e86.png)
Heartless friends harass sister’s kin. Should they take responsibility? ♀️
![Image credit: UnderstandingAway302 | UnderstandingAway302](https://static.diply.com/1d2977d9-f981-4ecc-8e84-c0f9b26f0847.png)
Last Updated on May 19, 2023 by Diply Social Team