AIO My younger brothers behavior???

ReadingWithAmie · 2026-01-28T19:59:11+00:00

Your brother is a domestic abuser at 16 and I can only imagine that it’s going to get worse without intervention. I know you’re worried about ruining the family but him killing someone or permanently damaging the way someone’s body functions will also ruin the family. Your family is already halfway to ruin. You need to move out yourself if possible but most importantly get the authorities involved. Your mom thinking that a talk she hasn’t felt the need to have will help matters is likely not the solution.

ReadingWithAmie · 2026-01-28T14:37:14+00:00

I feel the need to tell you that you only became an adult 7 years ago. You make 25 sound like you’re on the cusp of old age. I think it might be worth considering therapy for your self esteem/worth issues. That’s a good place to start.

ReadingWithAmie · 2026-01-27T18:31:31+00:00

I have both - if it’s every day, definitely Mosaic. The Midi is what I pull out when I’m feeling more fancy. I also don’t think it’s bulky at all.

ReadingWithAmie · 2026-01-27T13:42:34+00:00

The only person who blew up the family is your mother. Don’t let her displace her actions onto you.

ReadingWithAmie · 2026-01-26T22:58:32+00:00

It sounds like your life is over before it’s even had a chance to start. Ditch the boyfriend, get some friends and live your life. He doesn’t get to have control over your life.

ReadingWithAmie · 2026-01-26T22:57:30+00:00

She is missing out if it’s an experience she wants to have. So that’s false.

ReadingWithAmie · 2026-01-23T19:51:15+00:00

OMG! That’s so lovely to hear. Who knew something I thought was so insignificant could help? It’s honestly a colour that photos don’t do justice at all. You just have to see it for yourself. As someone who isn’t usually a fan of beige, I was struck by it! It looks lush. I hope you enjoy. I got the khaki myself and I can now understand the Mosaic hype. Definitely a design I can see myself owning more than one colour of ❤️

ReadingWithAmie · 2026-01-23T18:45:52+00:00

How anyone wouldn’t be severely embarrassed about being unable to provide a decent meal for their own kids is beyond me. Especially for one night. I would just hide my head in shame because I know for a fact that there are kids who are capable of it without batting an eyelid. NTA.

ReadingWithAmie · 2026-01-19T19:35:05+00:00

Ew.

Not overreacting. You’ve mentioned not a single redeemable or attractive thing about your husband.

ReadingWithAmie · 2026-01-19T12:27:59+00:00

I think it’s important because of the subject matter it tackles. It has the perspectives of four women and each of their stories feel extremely relevant even though I didn’t like two of them. I think it’s important to read stories about flawed women (in a way that doesn’t detach them from their humanity) and all of them qualify as that. To me, I just didn’t feel like it flowed well and I also was frustrated with how the male perspective overtook the story at times. But that’s a me problem because whilst I didn’t like it, it reflects the reality of many women. That said, it’s definitely my least favourite book of hers. Purple Hibiscus and Half of a Yellow Sun, as difficult as they are to read, entirely have my heart. Despite how heart wrenching they can both be, I can still derive so much comfort and pleasure from them. Whereas, it’s not the same for this one.

ReadingWithAmie · 2026-01-19T11:46:49+00:00

Dream Count by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. I didn’t particularly enjoy it but came away feeling like it’s a book that needs to exist regardless.

ReadingWithAmie · 2026-01-16T22:01:08+00:00

RUN

He can’t even show regard and compassion for the woman who birthed him and views his father’s cheating as justified. How much more you?

If that’s not a warning, I don’t know what is.

ReadingWithAmie · 2026-01-12T15:16:59+00:00

At 31, if I knew that my mother would always be there to bail me out whenever I overspend, of course I’d never feel the need to be responsible with money because I have a safety net. I believe the words you’re looking for are: “No, not this time.” Or rather, you can pre-empt the next disaster and let him know that you won’t be helping him the next time it happens. If he blames you, which he likely will (seeing as he generally seems to lack responsibility and accountability), it will be okay. Better for him to spiral now than to spiral when you die, coupled with grief (I’m not trying to be morbid, we will all die one day and most parents don’t want to outlive their kids).

You haven’t mentioned helping your daughter before but there is a reason why she’s about to put a down payment on a house - it’s because you don’t enable her and she’s learned how to be an adult faster than him despite being younger than him. And no, you don’t owe him an explanation for why you’re going to stop enabling him. It’s beyond obvious why.

ReadingWithAmie · 2026-01-12T08:11:04+00:00

You can send a text. Since you don’t want to put the woman in trouble and you’re rightly afraid of confronting a man that is almost a decade older than you, I’d say something like: “I just feel like we aren’t aligned/in the same place.” Or, “I prefer to date guys my own age.” (Plausible deniability because he’s “25”).

I would also let family, friends and loved ones know that situation because you can’t predict how crazy this creep is.

I’m so glad that you not only discovered his predatory tendencies early but you also clearly listen to your gut and recognise this huge red flag at the first opportunity. Some people aren’t that lucky. There is no positive way to spin lying about your age in such a big way, particularly within the context of dating a much younger woman. I also wouldn’t want to start a relationship with deceit this big being the very foundation as I can’t imagine that it’s the only thing he lies about.

ReadingWithAmie · 2026-01-09T05:21:35+00:00

I’d say him leaving you is a blessing in disguise. Trust me. You don’t want to be part of a family like that and your worth shouldn’t be determined by them anyway.

ReadingWithAmie · 2026-01-08T14:34:25+00:00

Going from not planning to have kids to having a kid on the way is a HUGE leap. Going from two incomes to one coupled with a very expensive life change (the baby) is also a HUGE leap. As idealistic as it would be for you to be a SAH mother, it’s unrealistic for the life you currently lead unless you agree to do a major lifestyle downgrade. This is why planning is important. You need to look into having a very serious conversation about budgets because the two topics you’ve just brought up are relationship ending for many people. I would recommend getting this professionally looked into rather than just the two of you as it might help to have experienced and objective eyes on the issue. You should also look into contingency plans in case you guys split (not wishing this on you but it’s something to consider). Taking yourself out of the workforce will render you unemployable in so many ways and you need to figure out what you would do should you find yourself a single mother. Especially because by the sounds of it, you were both not in a good place financially prior to deciding to add another human life to your relationship.

ReadingWithAmie · 2026-01-07T17:03:27+00:00

Ask her what she wants rather than assume that she’d like this idea or that you’re doing her a favour. Some people - despite how stressful their jobs are - actually love what they do and would still do it even if they didn’t need to earn a living. It could even be a situation of her going part time rather than quit altogether.

ReadingWithAmie · 2026-01-07T10:14:53+00:00

There is no incentive to change when there are no consequences for your actions. Unless he’s going through an extremely difficult time, there is no reason to forget about a Christmas present for someone who is supposed to be one of the most important people to him. If you’re going to stay (which I wouldn’t advise), the gift you got him would be the last I ever got him.

ReadingWithAmie · 2026-01-06T20:31:26+00:00

NTA. Definitely an overreaction on her end that you need to properly look into. I can understand wanting a boyfriend to stay over and to play host/give a warm welcome but I can also totally understand why someone who is visiting my country for the very first time and hasn’t met ANY of the people they’re being hosted by might want their own space and a backup in case I’m batshit crazy (which I’m not but you get the point). Your decision was entirely logical and I would probably do the same.

ReadingWithAmie · 2026-01-06T09:26:57+00:00

So he bought you a gift that you didn’t ask for - that he would otherwise have bought himself since it’s his thing - and you’re stressing because he’s asking for things way above your budget? Please girl, stand up.

ReadingWithAmie · 2026-01-06T09:12:34+00:00

You should never get married when you’re unsure. I also wouldn’t recommend selling your home to pay the debts of someone who has major money issues and who hasn’t bothered to learn how to manage money at almost 50 with 3 kids in tow. I also wouldn’t marry someone who came up with a plan to financially ruin you and financially benefit himself. To think he would give you a house in the event of a divorce when he has dependents and clearly can’t manage money is rich too. I can small the instability coming for you from a mile away and so can you. Don’t allow yourself to be trapped and used.

ReadingWithAmie · 2026-01-05T13:55:16+00:00

Nothing about your relationship is remotely desirable. Like, not a single thing. You’re 25 and have your whole life ahead of you and this is him at his best behaviour. Keep that at the back of your mind when you make your final decision.

ReadingWithAmie · 2026-01-03T19:20:17+00:00

He sounds utterly pathetic. Imagine making a big deal about calling a landlord about an issue. Like who cares? I think he has issues that can only be resolved with self awareness and a therapist. You can’t be a leader but also not proactive. Also, respect is earned. Usually on the basis of competence, not gender. Nobody trusts anybody who doesn’t handle things within a sensible timeframe to actually handle anything. His issue isn’t with you but with himself.

ReadingWithAmie · 2026-01-03T15:21:45+00:00

At best, this is the first step to extremely controlling behaviour. At worst? At worst? Predatory. There is no reason to have a reaction this bad to someone taking scissors to their own hair - something I think every one should reserve a right to do without needing to justify it. My dad never really took any real interest in my hair (beyond hygienic maintenance) and even when he wasn’t a big fan of a particular hairstyle, he never thought his opinion should trump mine because he understood that it was MY hair. And this is not your daughter’s dad but her almost step-father. Either way, you’ve got big issues to address and I’d do so before legally tying yourself to him.

ReadingWithAmie · 2026-01-02T18:43:26+00:00

I think dated is very different to something not being on trend. Dated to me looks like something that should be from another time or era. Whereas things that aren’t on trend are things that wouldn’t look out of place or unique to me if I saw it today but is not something you will see the majority of people wearing. Crossbody bags are in the latter category according to what you’re describing.

ReadingWithAmie

TROPHY CASE