Woman Is Unsure How to Confront Her Brother About Moving Out of Her House: ‘He Hasn’t Contributed a Single Penny’

A woman is turning to the Internet for advice on how to tell her brother that he needs to move out of her home.

She shared her story on the U.K.-based forum Mumsnet.com, a community where women seek guidance on personal and family issues. According to her post, her brother recently had to leave a shared living arrangement.

“There were problems with the room, the bathroom wasn’t working […] and he didn’t want to stay another month. I suspect he couldn’t afford it. He’s terrible with money!” she explained.

The original poster (OP) said she offered her brother a place to stay with her and her daughter, and he agreed, insisting it would only be “for a week.”

“I gave him [my daughter’s] room while she sleeps with me,” she added.

However, the situation has now stretched to “almost two months,” and her brother remains in their home. She also noted that he has only looked at one potential apartment during this time and recently reduced his work hours.

“He hasn’t contributed a single penny — not even bought a loaf of bread or made any gesture whatsoever,” she said. “On top of that, last week, he told me he was [short on cash] and asked me to lend him money for gas […].”

She added, “My [daughter] will be going back to school next month, and she really needs her room back. I’m not sure how to bring up the subject with him.”

“I’m a newly single mom going through a divorce and paying for everything on my own; it’s already hard enough without taking on the responsibility of another adult,” she continued.

“How can I raise this topic politely and in a non-confrontational way?” she asked.

Most Mumsnet users encouraged the OP to prioritize her daughter’s needs and show some tough love.

“You need to be blunt and put your child first. Remove his stuff from her bedroom while he is at work. Today, if possible,” one user advised.

“So your daughter suffers because you’re too mealy-mouthed to say anything? Her back-to-school is the perfect reason for him to move. Stop making his life so comfortable at her expense,” wrote another.

“You sound very kind, but he’s not your problem and you really shouldn’t have offered him a room in the first place. It seems like you have enough going on already. Give him a week to be out and help him pack,” added another commenter.