AITA for not welcoming this child into my apartment.

Boundaries are something I’ve worked hard to establish, especially after finally getting my own apartment as a single mom. Protecting my space has been a top priority—not just for me, but for my daughter as well. Unfortunately, my ex doesn’t respect boundaries the way I do, and recently he crossed a line that left me fuming. What was supposed to be a normal pickup turned into me being blindsided with a toddler I never agreed to watch, and a heated confrontation that left everyone pointing fingers.

Finally, My Own Space

The Surprise Guest

Calling the Child’s Mother

The Showdown in the Lobby

Shifting the Blame

My Daughter’s Disappointment

Drawing the Line

What does Reddit have to say about all this? Let’s find out.

In the end, I had to stand firm. My home is not a drop-off zone for surprise babysitting duties, and my daughter should never be put in a position where she’s forced to make adult decisions. I know she just wanted to spend time with her little brother, but it’s not fair to expect me to open my space—or my responsibilities—without consent. If anything, this situation only proves that the adults in her dad’s household need to grow up and communicate, instead of pushing their poor choices onto a child.