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AITA for defending my adopted sisters and upsetting my girlfriend?

· 4 min read

The (not) Family Drama that’s Got Everyone Saying “What the heck?”​

Picture this: a guy in his late twenties, a family that’s basically the Avengers (but with more paperwork), and three teenage girls who were just about to get sent to a state‑run orphanage. The hero—let’s call him Mr. “I‑Had‑to‑Help”—steps in, adopts them, gives them a car, a college scholarship, and a place to stay. Fast forward ten years, the girls are now adults, the family is a bit of a ghost town, and the girlfriend, Gorgeous Grumpy, is on a first‑date‑with‑a‑judge kind of mood.

Here’s the gist: Mr. “I‑Had‑to‑Help” still feels a strong bond with his “sisters.” He’s the emotional glue that kept them from slipping into the CPS abyss. But the girlfriend thinks he’s overprotective and loving them too much. When the topic pops up at dinner, a full‑blown argument ensues, the girlfriend accuses him of being in love with the sisters, and the guy ends up calling her “insecure, crazy, pathetic,” which, spoiler alert, he later regrets.

So, is the guy the Am I The Asshole (AITA)? Let’s dive into the juicy details and the comments that will make you snort and roll your eyes.

The Backstory (Because Why Not)​

  • Sixteen‑year‑old hero: “Hey, my parents and I adopted three girls from high school. They had no family, their mom died, and CPS was about to swoop in.”
  • The girls: “They’re from a rough background, had substance issues, and older men were a real problem.”
  • The parents: “We gave them school, college, cars, apartments, and basically turned them into our own little brood.”
  • Now: “We’re all in our late twenties, the sisters are drifting away, and my girlfriend only knows them twice. She’s not happy, and my mom feels used.”

The Argument (Because We Love a Good Fight)​

  1. The girlfriend mentions a high‑school “rude” reputation.
  2. The hero defends the sisters, says one was well‑liked.
  3. The girlfriend asks “Why do you always defend them?” and “Are you in love with them?”
  4. The hero is “Oh boo hoo, did you have to protect them?” and “Are you in love with them?”.
  5. The hero calls her insecure, crazy, pathetic.
  6. The girlfriend claims he’s ruining the relationship because he’s “defending a sister I am in love with.”

Comments That Turned the Conversation Into a Meme Factory​

NTA.
“Oh boo hoo… would have been enough for me. Buh‑bye GF!”
— The “I just want a hug” type.

NTA, but your GF sounds very unkind and judgmental.
“Did your parents actually adopt the three girls or foster them?”
— The “I’m still not 100% convinced” type.

My GF is typically one of the sweetest people I’ve ever met.
“To answer your question though, my parents actually became the legal guardians of two of the sisters.”
— The “I’m the best mom in the world” type.

Comments like “She said, ‘Oh boo hoo, did you have to protect them?’ and eventually, ‘Are you in love with them?’” are not the words of a sweet person.
— The “you’re a bad person” type.

Your gf is immature and probably has low self‑esteem.
“She also has trust issues.”
“You can wait for her to grow up, put up with her attitude, encourage her to get therapy or, my choice, get another gf.”
— The “do it yourself” type.

TL;DR​

  • Hero adopted three girls, gave them life‑changing support.
  • Girlfriend thinks he’s over‑protective and in love with them.
  • Argument escalated into a full‑blown “boo hoo” war.
  • Comments ranged from “Buh‑bye GF!” to “Get therapy.”
  • Verdict: The hero’s feelings are valid, but the girlfriend’s reaction is questionable.

Bottom line: The only thing that’s definitely a mess is the communication between the two of them. If you’re going to adopt, expect the drama. If you’re going to date someone who can’t handle that drama, you might just need to start looking for a new partner. Or at least, a new sister in the conversation.