Struggling 21-Year-Old Considers Stepping Back from Managing Immigrant Parents' Finances: AITA?

Struggling with managing immigrant parents' finances at a young age, feeling overwhelmed—seeking advice on potentially taking a break for mental health reasons.

Damjan

Published in Interesting
August 7, 2025

Struggling 21-Year-Old Considers Stepping Back from Managing Immigrant Parents' Finances: AITA?

Are you the asshole for stepping back from managing your immigrant parents' finances despite their reliance on you? This Reddit thread delves into a complex family dynamic where a 21-year-old has been handling all financial responsibilities since the age of 13, with her sister refusing to assist.

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The burden has become overwhelming, impacting her mental health and well-being. Despite expressing her feelings to her family, there's a lack of understanding and support, adding to her dilemma.

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She grapples with guilt over potentially leaving her parents in a vulnerable position. Commenters unanimously agree: not the asshole.

Prioritizing mental health, especially at a young age, is crucial. They commend the OP for considering stepping back from the heavy financial responsibility.

Setting boundaries and self-care are essential, emphasizing the importance of well-being over shouldering an unfair burden. The consensus is clear: taking a break to focus on oneself is a valid and necessary choice, with support pouring in for the OP's well-being.

Original Post

I (21F) have been responsible for handling all financial tasks for my immigrant parents since I was 13. My sister Nancy (18F) has refused to assist, leaving the burden solely on me.

While my parents rely heavily on me for financial matters, I have reached a breaking point where I feel overwhelmed and exhausted by the constant pressure. Despite my age, I have been juggling bills, budgeting, and ensuring our financial stability for years.

This responsibility has taken a toll on my mental health and overall well-being. I've expressed my feelings to my family, but there seems to be a lack of understanding and support from them, especially from Nancy.

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The weight of this responsibility has become unbearable, and I feel like I need to step back for my own sake. However, I can't shake off the guilt of potentially leaving my parents in a vulnerable position.

So AITA? I honestly don't know if I'm wrong here.