My GUARDIANS took my OFFSPRING and did not RETURN them for half a

#redditstories #askreddit #aita #guardians #offspring #familydrama #parentingwoes #emotionalturmoil 
Summary: A tale of family drama where the guardians take away the offspring and keep them away for an extended period, causing emotional turmoil. The protagonist seeks advice on the situation. 
Tags: redditstories, askreddit, reddit, aita, tifu, guardians, offspring, family, drama, parenting, advice, emotional, turmoil, conflict, relationships, support, community, sharing, personal, experience

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
My guardians took my offspring and did not return them
for half a year, causing them to become estranged from me.
I took legal action and successfully regained custody upon my
departure husband. It wasn't a decision I made lightly. Our
marriage had been crumbling for years, but the final straw
came when his verbal outbursts became something I couldn't shield

(00:21):
my children from. They were too young to understand the shouting,
the accusations, the tension that filled every corner of our home,
but I knew they felt it. I couldn't let them
grow up in that environment, so I made the hardest
decision of my life. I left with nowhere else to go.
I turned to my parents, hoping they could provide a safe,

(00:42):
stable environment for my children while I figured out what
to do next. I told myself it was temporary, just
a few months to find a job, secure an apartment,
and finalize the divorce. At first, everything seemed fine. My
parents welcomed the children with open arms, showering them with
love and attention. I was grateful, and for a while

(01:03):
it felt like I'd made the right choice. The kids
were happy playing in the back yard. I had grown
up in while I spent my days juggling work in
meetings with my lawyer. But beneath the surface cracks were forming.
My parents began to offer unsolicited advice on how to
raise the kids, questioning my choices and suggesting that maybe
I wasn't as capable as I thought I was. I

(01:25):
brushed it off and chalked it up to being overprotective.
After all, they were just trying to help, right, I
had no idea what I was in for. As the
months went by, the tension grew. My parents began to
set strange limits. They insisted that I couldn't visit the
kids during the week because it would disrupt their routine.

(01:47):
Weekends also became off limits for equally flimsy reasons. When
I called, the children often sounded hesitant, as if they
were being coached. My daughter, usually bubbly and full of stories,
gave me short, careful answers. My son barely spoke. It
broke my heart, but whenever I voiced my concerns, my

(02:08):
mother dismissed them. You're imagining things, she said, once, her
voice laced with condescension. You're just adjusting. You're the one
who left, remember her words stung. I'd left them with
her because I trusted her, not because I didn't care.
But something didn't add up. The first real red flag

(02:30):
came when my daughter let something slip during a phone call.
Grandma says, we're lucky to be here, because you don't
want us any more, she said, her voice small and uncertain.
My heart dropped. I felt a surge of anger, but
I kept my tone calm. That's not true, I said, firmly,
you know I love you. Right before she could answer,

(02:54):
my mother's voice cut in. It's time for bed, she said, sharply,
and the line went dead. I sat there staring at
my phone, my hands shaking. That was the moment I
realized my parents weren't just helping. They were actively working
against me. I couldn't ignore it any more. My parents

(03:14):
were deliberately driving a wedge between me and my children.
The idea that they might be manipulating my children, filling
their heads with lies about me, was both infuriating and devastating.
I decided to confront them the following week end. I
showed up unannounced. As soon as I walked through the door,
I could feel the tension in the air. My kids

(03:37):
looked at me, then quickly turned their attention back to
the TV, as if they'd been told not to engage
with me. I need to talk to you, I said
to my mother, trying to keep my voice calm. She
crossed her arms and sighed clearly annoyed. We're in the
middle of making dinner. Can't this wait? It can't, I

(03:57):
said firmly stepped into the living room, and my father
joined us, standing behind her like a silent enforcer. What's
this about, my mom asked, her tone icee. I didn't
mince words. The kids are telling me things, things you've
said about me, that I don't love them, that I
left them because I didn't want them. What's going on?

(04:21):
My dad frowned, but it was my mom who spoke.
We're just being honest with them, she said, coolly. They
deserve to know why their mother left them. Her words
hit me like a punch. I didn't abandon them, I shouted.
I trusted you to take care of them while I
got my life together, and this is how you repay me.

(04:44):
My father stepped in, his voice deep and threatening. Lower
your voice, you're upsetting the kids. I realized then that
they weren't going to back down. They saw themselves as
the rightful guardians of my children, and they had no
intention of letting them go. I left that day more
determined than ever. If they were going to play dirty,

(05:06):
I was going to fight back with everything I had.
I couldn't sleep that night. My parents betrayal gnawed at me,
and the thought of my children being manipulated into thinking
I didn't care about them kept me awake. I knew
I couldn't let this go on. The next morning, I
began researching custody laws and contacting attorneys. It wasn't easy,

(05:27):
money was tight, and I wasn't sure where to start.
But after a few consultations, I found an attorney who
seemed both competent and compassionate. As I explained the situation,
she listened intently, her expression growing more serious with each word.
This isn't just a custody battle, she said. It sounds
like your parents are engaging in parental alienation. The courts

(05:50):
don't look kindly on that. Her words gave me a
ray of hope. For months, I had felt powerless, but
now I had someone on my side who knew how
to navigate the system. Over the next few weeks, my
lawyer helped me gather evidence. I compiled every text, message
and email exchange with my parents, highlighting their controlling behavior

(06:10):
and refusal to let me see my children. I also
documented the times my children mentioned being told lies about me. Meanwhile,
I continued to reach out to my children. I called
them every day, even if the conversations were short and tense.
I wanted them to know that I was still here,
still fighting for them, even if they didn't fully understand

(06:31):
what was happening. The legal process was slow, but I
felt a growing sense of determination. My parents had crossed
a line, and I wasn't going to let them rewrite
the history of my relationship with my children. As my
legal preparations gained momentum, my relationship with my parents deteriorated.
They seemed to sense that I wasn't going to back down,

(06:52):
and their behavior became even more manipulative. One day, I
called my daughter during lunch, and she whispered. Grandma said,
you might not want to call us any more. She said,
it's easier for everyone if we just stay here forever.
My heart broke, but I remained calm. I will always
want to talk to you, sweetheart, I said, quietly, knowing

(07:13):
that my mother was probably hovering near by, listening to
every word. Shortly after that call, my parents stopped returning
my phone calls altogether. When I visited their house, they
wouldn't let me pass the front door, claiming the kids
were busy with homework or too tired to see me.
The final straw came when I received an e mail
from my mother accusing me of being an unfit mother

(07:35):
and threatening to seek full custody herself. She claimed that
they provided the stable environment my children needed and implied
that I was emotionally damaging them by insisting on visitation.
That's when I knew this wasn't just a custody battle.
It was a battle for my children's hearts and minds.
With my attorney's guidance, I filed for custody and requested

(07:55):
an emergency hearing. My parents fought back. Of course. They
painted a picture of me as irresponsible, unstable, and incapable
of providing for my children. They even brought up my divorce,
twisting it into evidence of my supposed unfitness as a parent.
But I wasn't going to let them win. I knew
the truth, and I was determined to make sure the

(08:18):
court saw it too. The day of the first trial
felt surreal as I sat in the court room and
watched my parents testify against me. I could hardly believe
what I was hearing. My own mother and father, the
people who raised me, were now trying to paint me
as a monster. She was never reliable, My mother said,
her voice calm and measured. We've given these children the

(08:41):
stability they need, and taking it away now would be harmful.
My father nodded in agreement and added, we've done everything
for them. She left them here because she couldn't handle
the responsibility. It took everything I had to stay calm.
I wanted to scream, to shout that they were lying,
but my lawyer had warned me not to react emotionally. Instead,

(09:03):
I sat quietly, hands clenched in my lap, waiting for
my turn. When it came, my lawyer presented our evidence,
the messages, the denial of visits, and the alienating behavior.
She pointed out the times my parents had lied to
the children about me, and highlighted the pattern of control
they had exercised over me and my children. The judge

(09:23):
listened intently, occasionally looking at me with a look I
couldn't quite decipher. But the most powerful moment came when
my daughter, in a private session with the judge, told
the truth. Grandma says, Mommy doesn't want us any more,
she admitted, but I don't think that's true. I miss her.
Her words were both heart breaking and affirming. For so long,

(09:46):
I had felt like I was fighting an uphill battle,
but hearing that she still believed in me gave me strength.
When the hearing ended, the judge announced that a full
investigation would be conducted and temporarily ordered my parents to
allow supervised visits. It wasn't the victory I was hoping for,
but it was a start. The judge's decision to allow
supervised visits felt like a small victory, but it was

(10:09):
also a reminder of how much further I had to go.
I took every opportunity during these visits to reconnect with
my children, even as my parents hovered near by, watching
like hawks. At first, the visits were awkward. The children
seemed hesitant, unsure if they could trust me after all
they'd been told. My daughter asked tentative questions like why

(10:30):
don't you live with us any more? And do you
love us? My son, who was quieter by nature, clung
to her and avoided I contact. I answered their questions
honestly but gently, making sure they knew I was always
there for them. Slowly I saw their walls come down.
They began to laugh again, hug me tightly when I arrived,

(10:52):
and asked when they could come home. Meanwhile, my attorney
and I worked tirelessly to strengthen my case. We brought
in a child psychologists to assess the impact of my
parents behavior on the children. The psychologist's report was damning.
It outlined clear evidence of alienation and manipulation, as well
as the emotional damage it had caused my children. We

(11:13):
also uncovered financial discrepancies in my parents handling of the
children's care. They had exaggerated their expenses to portray themselves
as the primary caregivers, but bank records told a different story.
My attorney presented these findings to the court at the
next hearing. She argued passionately that my parents actions weren't
just controlling, they were harmful. This is not about what's

(11:35):
best for the children, she said, This is about power
and control. The judge seemed to take her seriously. He
ordered an independent investigator to visit my parents home and
assess the situation. It was a crucial step in proving
that I was the better parent for my children. The
court appointed investigator was a no nonsense woman named Miss Patel.

(11:58):
She arrived unannounced at my parentsarent's home one afternoon, taking
them completely by surprise. I wasn't present during the visit,
but I later learned from my lawyer that it was
tense and revealing. Miss Pateel spent hours observing my parents
interactions with the children. She asked pointed questions about their routines,
their schooling, and their boundaries my parents said they had

(12:20):
set for the children's well being. My daughter later confided
in me that Miss Patel had spoken to her privately.
She asked if Grandma ever said bad things about you,
my daughter said quietly during one of our supervised visits.
I told her yes, she seemed nice, so I told
her everything. This admission was both heart breaking and hopeful.

(12:44):
It meant that some one outside our family was finally
seeing the truth. A week later, Miss Patel came to
my house. I made sure everything was spotless and welcoming,
even though I was incredibly nervous. She asked about my
daily routine, my work, and how I planned to support
the children if they returned to me. I showed her

(13:04):
the little room I had set up for my children,
decorated in their favorite colors and filled with books and toys.
I knew they would love. I just want them to
feel at home, I said, trying to keep my voice calm.
Miss Patel didn't reveal much during the visit, but her
kind smile as she left gave me a glimmer of hope.
Two weeks later, Miss Pateel filed her report with the court.

(13:25):
My lawyer called me as soon as she received a copy.
It's good news, she said. The investigator's findings are very
favorable to your case. The report detailed numerous instances of
my parents alienating behavior. It highlighted their refusal to allow
me access to my children, the negative comments they had
made about me, and the detrimental effect this had on

(13:47):
my children's emotional well being. She also noted that my
home was safe, stable, and fully prepared for the children's return.
Miss Patel recommended that the court grant me full custody
with limited supervise visitation for my parents. Hearing those words
felt like a weight had been lifted from my shoulders.
For the first time in months, I allowed myself to

(14:09):
believe that this nightmare might actually come to an end.
The final custody hearing was tense. My parents, flanked by
their lawyer, seemed confident, as if they believed they could
still manipulate the outcome. I tried to keep my composure,
but the sight of my children sitting next to them,
looking on sure and nervous, made my heart ache. My

(14:30):
attorney presented Miss Patel's report to the judge, highlighting the
evidence of alienation and manipulation. She spoke passionately about my
devotion to my children and my willingness to provide them
with a stable and loving home. When it was my
parents turned to speak, they doubled down on their accusations.
My mother claimed that I was too busy with my
own life to be a good mother, while my father

(14:52):
argued that they had rescued my children from an unstable environment.
But the judge wasn't convinced. He questioned them about the report,
especially the findings that they had intentionally interfered with my
relationship with my children. Their answers were evasive and defensive,
and it became clear that they had no real justification
for their actions. Finally, the judge made his decision. He

(15:16):
granted me full custody of my children, citing the harmful
effects of my parents behavior and their attempts to alienate
the children from me. My parents were granted supervised visitation,
but only under strict conditions. The judge's words hit my
parents like a hammer. My mother's face turned pale, and
my father looked as if he couldn't believe what he

(15:36):
was hearing. Meanwhile, tears were streaming down my face, not
from sadness, but from relief. My children were coming home.
While the custody battle was over, the legal repercussions for
my parents were just beginning. The court found their actions
to be not only manipulative, but legally abusive. Filing false

(15:57):
claims withholding the children and attempting to alienate them from
me were serious offenses. They were sentenced to two years
in prison for their actions, a decision that shocked even me.
I didn't want it to come to this, but the
court was clear their behavior was unacceptable and there had
to be accountability. When I told my children about the outcome,

(16:17):
I kept it simple. Grandma and Grandpa made some bad choices,
I said gently, now they have to face the consequences.
But you're home with me, and that's what matters. My
children seemed to understand in their own way. They clung
to me tightly, and for the first time in months,
I felt like we were truly a family again. After

(16:40):
all we'd been through, life was finally starting to feel
normal again. My children and I settled into our routines,
slowly rebuilding the trust and connection that had been strained
by months of separation. There were moments of adjustment at first.
My daughter would occasionally ask about my parents, wondering why
they couldn't visit. My son, quieter and more reserved, would

(17:02):
sometimes get anxious if I left the room for too long,
but I reassured them every chance I got, reminding them
that they were safe, that I wasn't going anywhere. In time,
those wounds began to heal. I threw myself into being
the best mom I could be, balancing work and family
while making sure my children knew they were my top priority.

(17:23):
I found joy in the little things, reading bedtime stories,
cooking dinner together, even helping with school projects. As for
my parents, I struggled to reconcile my feelings for them.
They were in prison, now paying the price for their actions,
and while part of me felt vindicated, another part of
me mourned the loss of the people I had once trusted.

(17:43):
But life has a way of moving on even when
you're not sure how to let go of the past.
About a year after the custody battle, I met a
new man. He was kind, patient and understanding, and most importantly,
he adored my children. At first, I was caut I
didn't want to disrupt the stability we had worked so
hard to build, But over time he became a source

(18:06):
of support and comfort for all of us. One night,
as we sat together after dinner, my daughter climbed onto
his lap and said, you make mommy smile a lot.
I couldn't help but laugh, and tears came to my eyes.
For the first time in a long time, I felt
like we were finally moving toward a brighter future. My husband,

(18:26):
the children's father, remained distant, uninterested in their lives. At first,
it hurt, but over time I realized it was a
blessing in disguise. He had made his choice and I
had made mine. Now surrounded by my children in a
renewed sense of hope. I knew we would be okay,