AITA for telling my parents I am an adult/setting boundaries?
I (female 25) just sent out a email to my family a week ago about needing to be my own adult. Ever since I was a child I was the one my family emotional and physically leaned on. I was always in the middle of fights, decisions, and keeping the piece. My dad was/ is a alcoholic and my mom was extremely overbearing. I have a younger sister but she was a " planned" pregnancy and lead to her being shielded from almost everything. Due to everything with my family, I only moved out three years ago after a massive fight. Even after the move, I was still emotionally, physically, and financially leaned on. I have given money, been expected to drop everything for their needs as little as unloading hay to taking care of my sick grandmother. I have a partner, a stepson, my own company, and animals. I also live an hour away. My family will call me over any little drama going on. I also get a big guilt trip if I dont do exactly what they want, when, and how. It also lead me to giving up two pregnancies due to the pressure from my parents. I am an extreme people pleaser and codependent. It is something I have been working on in therapy and I am medicated for CPTSD, PTSD, anxiety, and depression. Recently my parents bought "me" a house. But my dad immediately moved on the property and my mom put herself on the deed even though they promised it was all mine. There were so many strings attached like giving up my relationship and my company to work on the home. It lead to a lot of anxiety and overwhelm on my part. I ended up sending a email telling them I needed boundaries and space. My mother has not spoken to me since and my father has said some very hurtful things and cut me down. Including little sh** and little girl. Nothing seems to be resolved and I am starting to feel very guilty about all of it. here is the last snippet of my email.
So this is how I am moving forward. I am going to take more freedom to make my own decisions. I will be allowed to date whom I want and have experiences with whomever I want. I will make my own decisions about my life, my job, my ability and timing of having children, how and when I involve my partner in my life. I want all of these things to be supported with faith in me, love, and free of negative opinions or connotations. I am going to step away from the new house. It is more intertwined and complicated than I planned or have space for in my emotions. I will not be giving up my business or how much I would like to work. I am proud of my business and I love what I do. I need to have less negative conversations about life and more uplifting ones. I plan to have more experiences together that do not involve our daily stressors. I will be taking a step back from the expectation of always being on call for projects. I am still willing to help, but I need more of a notice that my help will be needed so I can plan it around things I need for work and my mental health. I need to either have the van in my name or let it go back to you guys. I am going to sign over the camper and the land to whomever wants it. I need us all to have separate therapy with each other.
At the end of the day, what I am saying I need to and will be let down from my pedestal, and for everyone to realize I am an adult. I am capable of making my own decisions and that they are not wrong. Even if they are not what you guys wanted or would have done. I need more truthful support. Not supported with the undertone of judgment. If that is not something you feel you can provide, please say nothing at all. I am going to be further from the middle of any problems between the two of you. I will always be here when I am really needed. But you guys really have to figure out how we can all have a peaceful future. I will be treated as an adult, with respect. I am not 14 anymore. And I will not be spoken to as such. I am capable of doing anything any other adult can do. I will not let my life pass me by anymore. And I don't want that for you guys either.
Am I the asshole for telling my parents I am an adult/putting in boundaries?
Posted Sep 6, 2024, 2:24 AM UTC