OP has a mom and stepdad problem not a Brenda problem. They are the one's especially mom who is suppose to have stood up for OP. Mom never supported her son in this marriage or family and as soon as she could create a new child with Brenda's son she jumped on that Golden train and never looked back. OP deserves better and hopefully he'll remember this and know that his mom will never get his back.
@@kitsumekat True or she’s gonna do like one story that the second OP turns 18 literally probably have midnight throw them out on the street with nowhere to go. I hope that that isn’t the case because seriously I’ve seen some posts where some of these parents have this weird joyous look of relief that they’re actually throwing their kid out. So then again sometimes that can backfire when they get exposed but then again some people are so in the moment to get rid of their kid, they don’t see the consequences so I think that the parents are waiting for a teen to throw OP out and abandon them. And no one Okies luck with the parents they probably put either a restraining order or a cease and desist just so that way they can’t ever contact them again or even mention their names.
And we all know that the second that OP in the first story gets any money or wealth, they are going to come back either sweet and sincere or literally like a debt collector because they want money
The infertility story: who gets grilled by the potential inlaws on their infertility during THE FIRST MEETING?! The bf had no business sharing that information with his family! Disgusting. Absolutely disgusting.
Don't forget he blamed it on cats you know cats. Where did he get his information, Europe in the dark ages? On the plus side now op can now leave without regrets.
Agreed I dump him since he love his family so much be married to them and put a 💍 each of them and tell your boyfriend brother wear a wedding dress . Op nta and I loves cats and he ridiculous about them it plenty reason you can be infertile one your partner the husband is are two Sometime God can say this partner is not the one last I hear stories just like this one when the partner find another guy and get baby so year it can be the husband not the female.
By acting the way that he did, the brother did OP a favor. Now she knows what kind of people her boyfriend and his family are; unkind, rude and ignorant. End the relationship and work on finding someone who will truly love and support you 🥰
@@dionysus_adores well probly confused, Toxoplasmosis can cause miscarriage and stillbirth. and Cat's are a common vector of it. it just otherwise harmless to humans
First story: The OP now knows where he stands with his family. You can't change people. I'm sorry. He should just walk away from them when he graduates high school. It sounds like the only time they will choose to contact him is if they need a transplant or lose all their money. It's messed up, but it is what it is. I hope the OP finds another family who actually considers him family because it's not his mother and will probably not be his half-siblings.
Honestly, the moment that OP has the opportunity to get out (without screwing himself), he should leave and just disappear. Should that just happen to be while they are on vacation, so much the better. You are right that the ONLY time that they will pretend to care is if they (mommy or half-siblings) need something. If he's not family now, he's not family when they need him. I also wonder if the grandfather, while not well off financially, left him something that he could use to start a new, AH free life. It might be worth checking on because the mother seems the type to just pocket something and I can't see the grandfather not leaving it to the neglected child.
@@SnowyWolborg Yeah that is a sad thing when some people try to buy the approval even though it will never work. I’m just hoping for this op that it would be petty but I would say that a high school graduation if the family is forced to go he at least puts them down or at least roast them and say “I just wanna say that I love my extended but not blood family, because my mom married Rich, abandoned me so she can go on extravagant trips with my stepfather and his kids and now I’m a success because she didn’t want to care so thanks to you other guys”.
Now, let me get this straight. OP is left out of holidays and is treated as a 2nd class citizen in his own family by his mom and step-dad. Why is that, hhhhmmmmmm... could it be MONEY? OP, the people who are supposed to care for you are throwing you under the bus because... they're greedy assholes who are quite openly happy to prostitute themselves, their kids, their morals and their souls to suck up to a bitter old witch who.... HAS MONEY!!! The irony is that, by forcing OP to holiday with grandad, he's been granted the moral compass to call them on their BS. OP, your grandad was (and still is) a much better role-model than any of these idiots - remember that as you watch them break apart in the wild scramble for the old bag's money.
I can just picture a reddit post a few years from now: Why Is My Son Treating Me This Way? "My son refuses to be around me and the rest of the family. Yes, his step grandmother and stepdad and half-siblings excluded him from every fun family event ever since he was a little boy, but it's not their fault they don't want him as a member of the family. Now he's off on his own and refuses to speak to me and told me I'm a horrible mother, and also refuses to let me meet my grandkids. I might have messed up by siding with my rich MIL and completely neglecting him emotionally, but that's all in the past now. I told him he needs to move on and stop holding a grudge for something that went on years ago. AITA?' Then surprised pikachu face when everyone tells her to stop playing the victim and that she deserves everything she's getting.
For the first story. I’m appalled at how the mother is just agreeing to abandon her child because mommy in law doesn’t like him and continued to go on luxury vacations without her child. And then the ONE time you need her, she calls YOU selfish? Wow. I’d go NC once you go to college
I absolutely love it when our beloved narrator loses control and cannot keep from laughing during a story. It makes my day and definitely makes the stories even more enjoyable. 😀
You all are aware that this "narrator" truly is a TTS (text-to-speech) device? I dunno which one it is exactly, Microsoft, Samsung or Google. But it's def one of the three. So saying a robot is losing his marbles and starts laughing is a bit Lt.Cmdr. Data, wouldn't you think?
That mother and her family in the first story is gonna wonder why Op cut contact with them sooner or later, when Op ends up having her own family. My God I feel so bad for OP in the first story
Probably about the time she realizes that she isn't invited to a wedding, or allowed to meet grandkids. Or, more likely, when Stepdad trades her in for a newer model.
Toxoplasmosis is a common infection that is usually harmless. But if you get toxoplasmosis for the first time while you're pregnant, or a few months before you conceive, there's a small risk the infection could cause: miscarriage. stillbirth. Cat's are common carriers
Story 1: I know this isn’t everyone’s style, but While They’re on their fancy vacation, I would publicly blast and shame them on every social media imaginable, so when they got back home they got a nice surprise of angry messages and texts about how horrible they are.
I'd probably be so upset that there'd be a terrible accident of some sort. "I was out with my friends when the house caught fire!" Or, maybe, "The water heater sprang a leak while I was asleep! That's how the house got flooded!" There's just SO many things that can happen while people are on vacation.
Write posts about how you miss your grandfather yet you're stuck by yourself because the family went on vacation without you. Sniff. Sniff. Let the reader make the connection about how selfish and evil your Mom is.
@@mbyerly9680 no. Duplicate the reddit post and comments on social media while they are gone after blocking them all before posting. That way, they don't see it, but everyone else does.
Story 1: Money cant buy you class. Being a pick me is bad but being a pick me when it comes to your child is a level of disgusting that I never want to come into contact with. I see why some of this new generation be cursing their parents out and publicly embarrassing them. 2) He knew exactly what he was doing by saying that. As soon as the BF started defending she should have told him to screw off. She should have called him stupid to his face finished her dinner and called an Uber.
A switch, four controllers, five games, a whole party, food, decorations..... I'd be crying so hard if someone did that for me. I don't think I'd be able to enjoy myself I'd be so overwhelmed with love.
Man, I'd love to have a boyfriend like the one Op has in the last story. He not only does he get her what she wants but he even tried to decorate and cooks so much food that the fridge is full! And since he wouldn't have to cook until that food is gone, it'd be the perfect opportunity to spend time with him. I wouldn't care that the party wasn't "perfect" by Op's standards. I'd just hang with him in the kitchen if I wanted to hang out instead of getting drunk and lashing out. Parties don't have to be perfect and it feels like she is undermining his efforts. So yeah, YTA.
I cracked up laughing thinking HOW can you honestly not know that YTA!!!?? like WTF??? All of that effort and its a "F U you messed up my birthday cause I don't like the decorations""?? I hope he dumps her and blocks her everywhere as you can bet that she'll come back if she can't find someone else willing enough to put up with her BS
Agreed you read all these stories about terrible, lazy entitled, uncaring partners who and yet someone with a caring person who puts that much effort in and they don’t appreciate it.
Step horror of a dad and grand monster should have been divorced by mom to let them treat her son that way. They actually said he was selfish when they are the ones.
I could literally feel my face fell when I got to the "twist" of the last story. Oh No! The decorations weren't perfect? Child, you're not 16, you should be grateful there even ARE decorations.
Who talks about fertility issues at a “meet the family” dinner?!?! How does that even come up in conversation? Just spend some time alone op. You are not in a good place.
I absolutely love when the story is so crazy that the reader is trying not to burst out laughing at it... Sometimes that is better than the story itself...
Last story. If she doesn't want her boyfriend, I would like him,please. He listens to what his girlfriend wants, he decorates for the party, he cooks...does he like cats?
Well, she certainly doesn't deserve him. She wanted the "perfect" birthday party and complained about her boyfriend not buying balloons, 1 banner and making too much food. He went above and beyond with what he did, even with the gift. Ungrateful and selfish women like her break great men like him. It'll get to the point he'll feel it doesn't matter what he does, it will never be good enough. She should appreciate him for who he is and what he does, instead of focusing too much on the little things that "ruin" her special day. I bet she doesn't do a tiny fraction as much for his birthday. He's probably lucky to even get a cake he likes, whilst holding over him, "you ruined my birthday, so this is what you get."
Second story. Wow. I have owned cats since 1990. In 1995 I had an operation that took away my ability to have children. One was not dependent on the other and the cats were much more supportive than my mother, who stayed with me for 3 weeks to "help me" (really, she made my life hell. My doctor sent her home.) My mother had the exact same operation at the same age, for the same reason. In OP's case, does she really want to get further involved with this family? The family may be used to the know it all (not really) brother, but for her boyfriend to not only not shut him down, or defend her, but berate her once in the car? There were so many red flags flying it started a hurricane headed to Florida.
@@kitsumekat they are not cancerous and to the hest of my knowledge, not fatal. But they can be mighty inconvenient. On the bright side, it is not always needed to remove the uterus
@@judyjohnson9610can confirm. Have them myself, still have all my bits. A pill a day keeps shark week away, which is where those darn thing’s really show themselves.
Story 1: Just depressing Story 2: Holy crap 🤦 Story 3: That "Ballet Crowd" 😄 Story 4: I feel you. My cousin and I - the same thing. You've just got to suck it up and move on my friend💕 Last Sorry: Yes OP, you're in the right.. he's aaawful and you should leave him right away. Where is he right now ❓ cuz I need to go comfort him.
Story 1: Agreed. Want to give that kid *all* the hugs. Story 2: Yeah. He sounds like such a catch. /s Story 3: Ikr? I mean, I *kinda* see where OP's concern is coming from, but she *seriously* doesn't have a say here. She should be focusing on her own kids and explaining that it isn't her call and isn't her "double standard." Among man, *many* other things. Story 4: Yeah. I'm an Aspie and *any* change is hard to deal with. I mourned Mom deciding she had enough of the living room *carpet.* Didn't help any that no one *knew* what was up with my until my mid-20s. My parents did the best they could, but there's only so much you can do when you don't know what the problem is. Last Story: Agreed. And I'm asexual!
Exactly with Story 4, I felt the same way when my best friend, who always spoke about moving to a new state with me and having a small home with two kittens, got pregnant and moved in with her long time boyfriend. It is understandable to mourn the future that is now lost, but snapping at her friend about it is not healthy.
Story 2: I can't even get around to how f'd up the boyfriend's behavior is because I can't get past the " cats are the reason women become infertile" comment.
I don't get the animosity towards the 4th OP. She merely expressed she was mourning the status quo. Also just because she will miss living with her friend, doesn't mean she was into her. 🤦🏾♀️
In story 1, everyone made it perfectly clear that he is not family. So if he decided to vanish while they were on vacation, no one would bother to look for him right? If he put up with their bs for 12 years I’m sure he could make it on his own. Being treated that way by family will be far more damaging than going out on his own and having to rough it.
My stepdad‘s mom is one of the sweetest people I know and she always makes me feel like I am part of the family, I’m very disappointed that OP’s folks and grandfolks are letting him down.
That last story can't be real. I can't imagine anyone acting that way. Particularly in a family like mine. The matriarchs of the family would wooden spoon you unconscious after the first ungrateful word.
Second story: Something else I'll never understand is people who claim they're dating a "kind-hearted (or some sort of "good")" person only for that very person to turn on them somehow. Can't be _that_ good if that's the case.
not once or twice we see posts "he/she is kind and loves me. sure they yell at me and call me lazy, ugly and stupid but he/she has never hit me!!11" and if your previous partner has been major asshole monster, one degree less asshole feels like heaven sent first. i mean,they have dated only 8 months, still new relationship ignorant and environment that's easy to pretend. first trip with family and she saw true him. i truly hope she walks away and doesn't fall for excuses
@@duckeh1952 I mean she has left a horrible impression on his family? what about the impression the family left on her? the older brother was a jerk and neither the bf nor anyone else told him to knock it off.
"It is known that cats mess up a womans ability to get pregnant." Yeah, because those fluffy little snuggle monsters get right in the middle and take all the attention away. HIS family left a bad first impression with OP!
In all my 70+ years, i never heard this before. Growing up lots of neighbours had large families, dogs, cats, farm animals. However sheep were the only animal for a pregnant woman to avoid.
My God story one is just awful. Your parents allow this Brenda to treat a child this way? If you were my stepson I would tell Brenda to take her fancy bs and shove it HARD. I am just disgusted. I hope you get away and get to have a life filled with love that you deserve. Story 2 dump city for this asshat, he is not it.
Story 4: honestly, reads like they were qpps but it was so poorly communicated between them that op didn't even really get the courtesy of a formal breakup Not a fan of the general condemnation of platonic life relationships, but do agree they need to be clearly agreed upon, communicated, and desired long term by everyone involved.
I'd love to know what that last OP did for her boyfriend on his birthday. I'll bet it wasn't anywhere near as thoughtful, elaborate and expensive (a gaming system, extra controllers and FIVE games)! That guy needs to run and find someone who'll appreciate him. ETA: I could tell from the setup that there was a "but" coming and that somehow all of his efforts weren't going to quite be good enough.
Story 1… OP’s mom and the stepdad and family are AH’s … hopefully he will go NC when he can go out on his own.. they obviously don’t want to be his family anyway.. Story 2… OP please tell us he’s an ex boy friend… he’s obviously not going to defend op over his family’s intrusion into something that’s none of their business..
I feel like visiting the family for the 1st time is just as much a seeing who they are as it is seeing who you are and this includes the person you're dating. The number of stories I see on here where my loving boyfriend or my loving girlfriend did this when we met their family is appalling. Everyone is always trying to impress the person they're dating but this is one of the true 1st opportunities for them to show who they really are. Remember 1 of the most important lines to learn in life is when somebody shows you who they are believe them.
The first story hit me hard today because today is my birthday. While I don't have a rich grandmother, I do have a narcissist mother (now 88) who would tell me the story of my birth ad nauseum on my birthday and not send me anything. The key is that it isn't the worth of the gift, it is the thought and love behind it. OP's grandfather had the thought and heart, but now he is alone. This year, I came into this day with a different attitude and made it my own. Won $24 on a scratch off, went to a restaurant where I got a free meal for my birthday. Since I was one of the first 25 people there, I got a free Tshirt! (Really cute)Used part of the $24 to go to a coffee shop where I got a free cookie for my birthday, which I ate with my coffee. Found 4 lucky pennies in the parking lots. Used the rest of the $24 to buy cat food for my cats. A young friend left a birthday card and a Mother's Day card in my mailbox, with money!! I am about to go up to CVS drugstore and spend $3 CVS bucks they sent me on something. Last year I was feeling sorry for myself. OP is better than that whole family. He should go out and find a "chosen family" which is many times much better than blood. Would be better than his mother, stepfather, stepsibling, and evil hag of a grandmother. Don't think of them. Live well. What they do will no longer concern him.Eventually he will go low/no contact because they are no longer important to him.
I always make the day special *take my bday as leave, have a big breakfast, open cards and go to a art gallery and restaurant with a friend etc. Life is for living! 😀 also tell your mother, it will be you turning off her life support 😈
@@latristessdurera8763 I think about that. I wouldn't do that, but that says more about me as a person. If she was on life support, she would be in the prison of her own body.
Story 1: Wow, mother and stepdad of the year! 🙄 I hope OP gets away and goes NC. Story 2: We REALLY need to teach biology and anatomy (and real sex education) to every student in this country. OP didn't overreact, and she doesn't need that guy (or his family) in her life. She's better off with her cats. Story 3: The "gateway to museums" etc. comment was perfect! 😂 Story 4: People grow up and change. OP needs to accept what's happening. She can talk it out with a therapist or another friend, but has to let her childhood plans go. Story 5: WTAF is wrong with OP?!?!?!? Yeah, She's absolutely the AH. David went WAAAAAY above and beyond and seems like an incredibly kind, loving, and generous person.
@@carolroberts4614 because they hide their true nature until they think they have their partner hooked to them for life. They are really good at pretending to be nice and good people
The second story speaks more about general human stupidity than a lack of teaching about biology, anatomy, and sex education. Some people will literally be taught all that and STILL choose to believe dumbass bullshit. Why else do people in this day and age believe that vaccines cause the autism spectrum, which I will remind people is thousands of years old and the source of mythological creatures like changelings. I'm still waiting for that crowd to explain the temporal gymnastics it takes to explain how a modern invention retroactively causes something so much older. Human stupidity is the rule, not the exception when it comes to our kind.
Story 4: I wonder if OP may be neurodivergent. I'm on the autism spectrum and *have* reacted this way to things. I try *not to,* but it happens. Changing plans, people growing up and moving away, *life happening* ... It's all quite hard for me to deal with.
@@brigidtheirish Y'know what? You're absolutely right. And as a parent of 2 Autistic kids I should've thought of that. (I'm going to blame Covid brain. That's my story & I'm stickin' to it, lol!) I do hope she finds someone she can talk to about it all, who can help her to move on.
With the platonic friendship story; OP may be asexual (and not know it), which is why they are upset to lose the life they planned because to them, having a platonic partner is all they need in life. OP’s friend is not the same and that’s just how it is. I don’t feel like people should be attacking OP about “growing up” but realizing this is a form of “break up” they need time to grieve, work through, and speak with a professional about their expectations in friendships
yes, exactly. OP is lashing out in a way she shouldn't, but as an asexual, aromantic person who gets too lonely living alone but doesn't want anything more than platonic relationships I completely understand that feeling. it's a feeling that I have feared experiencing, but I'm lucky in that I have actually found someone who is ALSO asexual and aromantic and we are planning to live together and grow old together like this also. we have two other friends who may be in the same boat (possibly asexual, one is heteroromantic, other I'm unsure about) who are also in this plan, where we want to get a plot of land and have effectively a nerd commune XD. OP probably should have seen this coming earlier than now, but she was likely in denial. doesn't excuse lashing out, but does explain it. finding a therapist that understands or at least is accepting of asexuals/aromantics would likely help her process this, as it's clear that not a lot of allosexuals/alloromantics are going to be understanding of her pain
I'm not asexual or aromantic and honestly, OP's idea sounds pretty nice to me too. It's hard for me to feel comfortable getting into a relationship for other reasons. Think reddit was showing it's conventional bias.
Yea I’m aroace and I really felt for op, I’d love to have a platonic life partner but with how the VAST majority of people value romantic relationships it’s probably not gunna happen. That realization was devastating for me at the time, and I think op just had that happen to them
Story 1, some parents really are that garbage. My mum was the same way even though it was him living off her money. Its heartbreaking feeling that unloved and unwanted. Mother and step father will get their karma. I hope op is able to go low/no contact and start healing and thriving.
Story 4: it sounds like op viewed that friend as her life partner. The best friend didn't view the relationship the same way. They had this plan for over a decade and never had a conversation about either of them deviating from that plan. Op was essentially dumped but isn't being allowed to grieve the relationship because the best friend didn't take those plans - that they were actively carrying out - seriously.
Thanks for your perspective. I thought the plans made seemed childish and unrealistic. But as you point out, she was dumped from her perspective. I wonder if it was a unspoken one-sided celibate lesbian on the OP side maybe because of religious reasons and still can't openly share her real feelings.
@@brenttaylor8907 I got asexuality/aromantic vibes from the post tbh. Because that was essentially a plan I had with a friend before she found her girlfriend. I feel sorry for OP…
This grandmother sounds like the mother in Flowers In The Attic. I have grandchildren that are not blood to me and I could never treat them different from the ones that are blood. I love and sacrifice for all of them.
I felt so bad for the OP in the first story. When my kids were little, it wasn't unusual for us to take a friend of theirs with us when we went away. Family isn't about blood or shared DNA. It's about love. My brother and his wife couldn't have kids. They adopted 2 girls from India. No one looks at them as anything other than family. And it's not unusual for me to forget they are adopted.
Let me stop at, "I got mad at him because he didn't do the decorations well." A switch plus 6 games and extra joycons!? I just purchased these items. That is about $800 dollars alone, not to mention the dinner for you, your friends, and your mom, the homemade foods, the cake you like (and since I'm getting gold-digger vibes already) I assume is pricey af. If he doesn't dump you by the end of the story I'll be sadly disappointed.
I have absolutely no words for that first story. All the adults suck the mother especially. Minus grandpa, God rest his soul. Hell if I were him I would have fought for custody. This is absolutely neglect! I can't imagine ditching any of my kids because my new mother in law doesn't consider them family. I would have said all or none when it came to support and family trips. If she didn't like it she could pound sand and not see her "legitimate" grandkids. This whole story is absolutely disgusting!!! And you know the other kids could see the difference in treatment between them and their half brother. I'm super curious to know how they explained that one to them. Smh to think how they were probably made to treat him as less than family to please grandma. Disgusting, no other word sums up this story better.
Last story: Absolutely YTA. Look OP, either you want to be surprised or you tell your bf exactly what you want for your birthday. Or tried looking for a mind reader to date if you want to be both.
Story one. Have a big party at your parents house for your birthday. Put it on social media. Make it as obnoxious as possible. And let your mom and step dad and step grandmother reap the whirl wind
Boarding School Kid: I know OP sees herself as the stepdaughter’s parent, but this decision to send her to boarding school is between the girls’ biological parents. It’s not like OP and her husband have to shell out lots of money to send the girl to boarding school, she has a scholarship. Judging by the girls’ behavior, it seems like her mother has raised her to be a responsible young person🙂
Story 1: wow!!! I can't believe your mom has went along with everything for 12 years and then gets mad when you ask for her to stay with you one time. NTA
Whew. I could have commented sooner, but the mom in the first story calling her child selfish set my irony propeller spinning so hard I rocketed into the stratosphere.
Step-mother to a 16 year old is the idiot for over stepping her role. The girl has two parents who are responsible for her welfare. Let them do their job. Not so very long ago it was common for teen girls to get married and start their families just out of HS, and not much longer back they were married by 16, having families and guarding the homestead when their menfolk were out hunting, or plowing the back forty.
I'd do some really over the top shady stuff to the whole family in that first story, like I'm talking about heinous felony crimes lol. I'd never be able to let any of them live a happy life, there wouldn't be enough money in the world to reverse what I'd do to them lol.
a little planted drugs on bro and sis being found by the school he doesn't go to will knock them down a peg. Grandma just start an anonymous gossip mill about bad things she's done. Doesn't need to be true. Gossip doesn't matter with true nor not once it's out there its free game. Mom and dad call cops on them. Anonomous cps call. Then spill the beans on how they've treated you. Start a rumour mom or dad is cheating. Some hidden panties here a unknown pair of men's used socks under their bed on step dad's side. A few calls at work with a voice changer from a pay phone. There's many easy waus to ruin someone lol.
Story 4: I don't think OP is "childish" for interpreting those plans as serious, but her friend clearly never took them seriously. NAH, OP's experiencing the loss of a life she'd thought she'd live; her friend has no way of "fixing" that so OP's pain feels like an attack. These two friends clearly never saw their friendship the same way and OP needs to move on and find whatever she's looking for somewhere else.
I don’t see OP as childish or needy either. I’m missing the part in the story where her best friend talked to her about her own intentions changing from what they had always planned, even into their adulthood. This doesn’t sound like they talked when they were 7 and never brought it up again. It makes sense that OP might have seen things changing once her friend got into a serious relationship, but her naïveté is not the same as being needy. Many people don’t need to get married or have traditional romantic relationships to be happy and live full lives. OP doesn’t have to be in love with her friend in order to see her as an ideal living partner and BFFL - literally - although, again, it makes sense that one or both of them would change over time if they met someone they WERE romantically compatible with. They just should have talked about it before making such a big change. OP was blindsided and she’s in mourning over the loss of the life she believed she still had, and it’s clear that she is trying to deal with that without blaming her friend. She didn’t deserve to be yelled at. (This is also why people need to stay out of other people’s bedrooms.)
Exactly. Some people don’t understand the platonic relationships for some people are everything and are much more important than romantic relationships. Especially if the woman is asexual. That was her life partner and she left. That’s devastating.
@@alexiswilliamsinc I think OP should consider Adopting a kid and raising it. It will give something to do for at least 20 years and she can have a companion while helping the community.
@@TheTen20 If OP just wants someone to share with, maybe. But adoption puts a lot of responsibility on a child to be a parent’s companion the way she had with her best friend. It’s just not the same relationship, so that could be dangerous. With a best friend you have a support partner and someone you see as responsible as yourself. A child needs to be raised and sacrificed for without always getting reciprocity. There are too many examples of parents putting all their hopes in their children for fulfillment for adoption to be the logical next step. That’s not even beginning to consider some of the traumas that adopted children have been through, beginning with first being separated from a biological parent for any number of reasons.
Wait you grew up your entire life with your mom, step-dad, and other extended family members excluding you from everything. Treating you like you were sub-human, without feelings, or emotions. While they went on great vacations, had the best education, got top-notch presents, etc. You were basically living a real-life Cinderella. Now you're wondering if you should be upset. I say take the first chance that you can get and cut loose of these pieces of trash and never look back. get into therapy. Never talk to them again. Not that I think once you leave they will want to talk to you. I a surprised you have not reported them. I would shame them all on social media. Especially the grandmother. People who are so caught up with public image can so easily taken down when the public is shown the true image of how they treat people. Because it is one thing when it is behind closed doors but when it becomes public and people start talking about it that is another thing. But I can be petty that way.
First story: throw a house party while they're gone and leave the mess. Throw a house party every time they leave and let them clean it up when they get back. There are occasions when being petty is allowed.
Some people are ready for adult responsibilities at an early age. When I was 14 my parents let me travel Europe for a year with one older brother who was 22 and a couple of his mates. We drove around Europe in a VW Kombi and I did all the things young adults from New Zealand did when travelling in Europe in those days. Went to Pamplona for the Running of the Bulls, went to grand prix races, beer festivals, etc. and visited the great cultural sites of Western Europe. My parents were barely in touch with me - no email in those days. Best thing they ever did for me. In that story, the OP is the AH. Her stepdaughter seems to be managing her life well. I would be proud of her.
Kids in the US are pretty much babied all their lives, at 18 legally considered adults but aren't really prepared to be responsible adults. This girl sounds like she is more responsible than most her age. OP may not be jealous but her boys are. OP just needs to shut their crap down by firmly stating she is not this girls mother....period. So has no say in how she lives her life, but does have a say in the boys lives, so get over it. 😏
I wonder if this is really about worry, concern, and feeling this isn't right or if she does not like the fact that she cannot tell the daughter what to do like babysit her kids.
The young girl goes to _art_ _shows_ and Op is clutching her pearls. Both of her parents are involved in her life and are okay with the set up, this isn't Op's place to speak up on anything. She sound so controlling.
Boarding school story: 1) her step brothers are younger, so they don’t get same rights as their step sister. By OP’s argument, her younger children should be upset by increased freedom of her older children. 2) Her parents agreed to the situation. 3) It is her final year at the school, so it is really shitty to relocate the stepdaughter from her friends because her stepmother had control issues. It is also impact her college admissions progress because the new teachers will not know as well as her old teachers. 4) What Is the Stepmother going to do when the stepdaughter choose a college far from her parents
Love it when the narrator cracks up while reading the ridiculousness of the last post. It reminds me of top chef when a chef makes a plate with several items, which makes them have to make each of them to the judges' standards - do one thing badly, it ruins the whole dish/birthday. haha
I feel bad for the platonic OP.... she sounds like she wants a quasiplatonic relationship, and I think she'd do well with seeking out others that want the same/looking into the aro community/aromantic orientation
I've had my heart broken by friends, so I know how that OP feels. But that doesn't mean her expectations are realistic. She definitely needs some therapy to help her form healthy relationships.
@@eywine.7762 People really do have platonic life-long partners, it's just rare and some pretend to be romantic around others so others don't stick their nose into it. I know a few people in years long platonic partnerships and they're quite happy. They tend to be people that are asexual and/or aromantic. Although I do think therapy or counseling would be beneficial for her to work out her feelings, at least with the help of someone that wouldn't just try to convince her to conform to social standards.
Last Story - You know its YTA all the way when XO is trying REALLY hard to suppress full on laughing as they are reading this. Seriously? Buys her what she wanted, decorates and cooks so obviously cannot enjoy himself and yet STILL he is a bad guy in her eyes? Good luck finding another guy like him OP because I would be subscribing a dose of separation for him.
The last story...you know what my husband did for my last birthday. He got up with the kids and let me sleep in made my favorite dinner and got me a cake. And you know what it was great that op needs a kick in the ass
I have said for many years that romance often is giving you what you need at the moment. Rough day with the kids? Order a pizza and get the munchkins to bed by yourself. I'm sure many of you could add a couple more things....
WTF with that first story? I would be a no contact kid after I get a job. jeez! That whole family is garbage. How could the parents allow that to happen?
It sounds like OP is in love with her "friend". Plenty of people have plans like this, then life happens and the friends get romantic partners and get married and have kids.
It’s not about her being responsible or not. She’s 16 and being treated like she’s an adult. Her parents don’t seem to care about her at all. She’s been alone in the world for since 14? I feel so sorry for that girl. She isn’t getting to be a kid. She was alone in on the other side country from her family during the global pandemic at 14-16! That had to be scary. Op sounds like an idiot because her stepdaughter isn’t doing anything wrong but her husband and his ex’s sound like horrible parents.
@@lyndatuttle it’s about the fact she has to be responsible at 16 instead of getting to be a kid. It’s fine she’s going to art museum and everything else but my question is does she get to feel like a kid and like her parents are parents or are they just financial backers to her at this point?
Wow, even his mom and step dad have abandoned him. She’s happy to live in luxury at the price of leaving her first born behind
OP has a mom and stepdad problem not a Brenda problem. They are the one's especially mom who is suppose to have stood up for OP. Mom never supported her son in this marriage or family and as soon as she could create a new child with Brenda's son she jumped on that Golden train and never looked back. OP deserves better and hopefully he'll remember this and know that his mom will never get his back.
People only care for the present and themselves
This one made me really angry...that poor kid
Oh trust me, when OP has something she wants or needs, she'll be back. He just needs to block her and maybe his siblings for a while.
@@kitsumekat True or she’s gonna do like one story that the second OP turns 18 literally probably have midnight throw them out on the street with nowhere to go. I hope that that isn’t the case because seriously I’ve seen some posts where some of these parents have this weird joyous look of relief that they’re actually throwing their kid out. So then again sometimes that can backfire when they get exposed but then again some people are so in the moment to get rid of their kid, they don’t see the consequences so I think that the parents are waiting for a teen to throw OP out and abandon them. And no one Okies luck with the parents they probably put either a restraining order or a cease and desist just so that way they can’t ever contact them again or even mention their names.
OP is not selfish. His family is just a heap of garbage who treats him horridly.
And we all know that the second that OP in the first story gets any money or wealth, they are going to come back either sweet and sincere or literally like a debt collector because they want money
I know, but rude words gets me deleted here.
@@EnDB Well you’re not wrong they are trash to OP anyway
The infertility story: who gets grilled by the potential inlaws on their infertility during THE FIRST MEETING?! The bf had no business sharing that information with his family! Disgusting. Absolutely disgusting.
My first reaction to the brother was, "Oh, and where did you say you got your medical degree?"
Don't forget he blamed it on cats you know cats. Where did he get his information, Europe in the dark ages? On the plus side now op can now leave without regrets.
Agreed I dump him since he love his family so much be married to them and put a 💍 each of them and tell your boyfriend brother wear a wedding dress . Op nta and I loves cats and he ridiculous about them it plenty reason you can be infertile one your partner the husband is are two Sometime God can say this partner is not the one last I hear stories just like this one when the partner find another guy and get baby so year it can be the husband not the female.
By acting the way that he did, the brother did OP a favor. Now she knows what kind of people her boyfriend and his family are; unkind, rude and ignorant. End the relationship and work on finding someone who will truly love and support you 🥰
@@dionysus_adores well probly confused, Toxoplasmosis can cause miscarriage and stillbirth. and Cat's are a common vector of it. it just otherwise harmless to humans
Absolutely sickening to hear how this woman got away with treating a child in this manner. Shame on the freaking parents as well. Disgusting
First story: The OP now knows where he stands with his family. You can't change people. I'm sorry. He should just walk away from them when he graduates high school. It sounds like the only time they will choose to contact him is if they need a transplant or lose all their money. It's messed up, but it is what it is. I hope the OP finds another family who actually considers him family because it's not his mother and will probably not be his half-siblings.
Honestly, the moment that OP has the opportunity to get out (without screwing himself), he should leave and just disappear. Should that just happen to be while they are on vacation, so much the better. You are right that the ONLY time that they will pretend to care is if they (mommy or half-siblings) need something. If he's not family now, he's not family when they need him. I also wonder if the grandfather, while not well off financially, left him something that he could use to start a new, AH free life. It might be worth checking on because the mother seems the type to just pocket something and I can't see the grandfather not leaving it to the neglected child.
He does not need to find "another" family because currently he has NO family. He needs to find HIS family, which would be his first family.
@@SnowyWolborg Yeah that is a sad thing when some people try to buy the approval even though it will never work. I’m just hoping for this op that it would be petty but I would say that a high school graduation if the family is forced to go he at least puts them down or at least roast them and say “I just wanna say that I love my extended but not blood family, because my mom married Rich, abandoned me so she can go on extravagant trips with my stepfather and his kids and now I’m a success because she didn’t want to care so thanks to you other guys”.
Now, let me get this straight. OP is left out of holidays and is treated as a 2nd class citizen in his own family by his mom and step-dad. Why is that, hhhhmmmmmm... could it be MONEY? OP, the people who are supposed to care for you are throwing you under the bus because... they're greedy assholes who are quite openly happy to prostitute themselves, their kids, their morals and their souls to suck up to a bitter old witch who.... HAS MONEY!!! The irony is that, by forcing OP to holiday with grandad, he's been granted the moral compass to call them on their BS. OP, your grandad was (and still is) a much better role-model than any of these idiots - remember that as you watch them break apart in the wild scramble for the old bag's money.
I can just picture a reddit post a few years from now: Why Is My Son Treating Me This Way? "My son refuses to be around me and the rest of the family. Yes, his step grandmother and stepdad and half-siblings excluded him from every fun family event ever since he was a little boy, but it's not their fault they don't want him as a member of the family. Now he's off on his own and refuses to speak to me and told me I'm a horrible mother, and also refuses to let me meet my grandkids. I might have messed up by siding with my rich MIL and completely neglecting him emotionally, but that's all in the past now. I told him he needs to move on and stop holding a grudge for something that went on years ago. AITA?' Then surprised pikachu face when everyone tells her to stop playing the victim and that she deserves everything she's getting.
why would he tell her she's a horrible mother? why would he tell her ANYTHING AT ALL after being essesntially ignored all those years?
For the first story. I’m appalled at how the mother is just agreeing to abandon her child because mommy in law doesn’t like him and continued to go on luxury vacations without her child. And then the ONE time you need her, she calls YOU selfish? Wow. I’d go NC once you go to college
I hope op mom enjoy the retirement home for idiot's
I absolutely love it when our beloved narrator loses control and cannot keep from laughing during a story. It makes my day and definitely makes the stories even more enjoyable. 😀
Hahah me too. Its awesome
LOL He had a hard time holding it together in the last story. No balloons? Giggle, giggle
@Dragon leHeart Me too 😂😂😂😂 i does be laughing with him 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Yes! It's so relatable!
And I think this probably holds a record of how many times he nearly laughed out loud during a story.
You all are aware that this "narrator" truly is a TTS (text-to-speech) device? I dunno which one it is exactly, Microsoft, Samsung or Google. But it's def one of the three. So saying a robot is losing his marbles and starts laughing is a bit Lt.Cmdr. Data, wouldn't you think?
That mother and her family in the first story is gonna wonder why Op cut contact with them sooner or later, when Op ends up having her own family. My God I feel so bad for OP in the first story
That woman probably won't even notice or care her kids gone.
Probably about the time she realizes that she isn't invited to a wedding, or allowed to meet grandkids. Or, more likely, when Stepdad trades her in for a newer model.
Anyone who has the balls to say that cats screw up your fertility IS ignorant. WHAT THE HELL?
Yeah. Cats can carry a parasite that can affect an *existing* pregnancy, but it doesn't make women *infertile!*
Unless you are a close friend having a relevant intimate conversation you NEVER discuss another persons fertility and it is NO-ONES business.
@@D-me-dream-smp thanks for telling me how my infertility issues need to be addressed. Needed to be splained to.
Toxoplasmosis is a common infection that is usually harmless. But if you get toxoplasmosis for the first time while you're pregnant, or a few months before you conceive, there's a small risk the infection could cause: miscarriage. stillbirth.
Cat's are common carriers
@@geraldgrenier8132well, that still isn't infertillity so the brother is still an ignorant twat who went where he shouldn't went....
Story 1: I know this isn’t everyone’s style, but While
They’re on their fancy vacation, I would publicly blast and shame them on every social media imaginable, so when they got back home they got a nice surprise of angry messages and texts about how horrible they are.
That's what I'd do as a form of revenge.
I'd probably be so upset that there'd be a terrible accident of some sort. "I was out with my friends when the house caught fire!"
Or, maybe, "The water heater sprang a leak while I was asleep! That's how the house got flooded!"
There's just SO many things that can happen while people are on vacation.
Write posts about how you miss your grandfather yet you're stuck by yourself because the family went on vacation without you. Sniff. Sniff. Let the reader make the connection about how selfish and evil your Mom is.
@@TH-hy9kr They could do both really, do the call out, then cut them off and never speak to them again.
@@mbyerly9680 no. Duplicate the reddit post and comments on social media while they are gone after blocking them all before posting. That way, they don't see it, but everyone else does.
2nd story: And the brother made such a stellar first impression? OP needs to call it a day on this one….it’s got toxic written all over it.
break up with the 2nd ex like yesterday....
Story 1: Money cant buy you class. Being a pick me is bad but being a pick me when it comes to your child is a level of disgusting that I never want to come into contact with. I see why some of this new generation be cursing their parents out and publicly embarrassing them.
2) He knew exactly what he was doing by saying that. As soon as the BF started defending she should have told him to screw off. She should have called him stupid to his face finished her dinner and called an Uber.
I would legitimately never talk to my mother again. How do you allow somebody, ANYBODY, to treat your child like that?!?!?!?!
Mom probably would not even notice.
A switch, four controllers, five games, a whole party, food, decorations.....
I'd be crying so hard if someone did that for me.
I don't think I'd be able to enjoy myself I'd be so overwhelmed with love.
Omg.....he was such a sweetheart! Any girl would wish to be treated so well! He deserves better.
Man, I'd love to have a boyfriend like the one Op has in the last story. He not only does he get her what she wants but he even tried to decorate and cooks so much food that the fridge is full! And since he wouldn't have to cook until that food is gone, it'd be the perfect opportunity to spend time with him. I wouldn't care that the party wasn't "perfect" by Op's standards. I'd just hang with him in the kitchen if I wanted to hang out instead of getting drunk and lashing out. Parties don't have to be perfect and it feels like she is undermining his efforts. So yeah, YTA.
Seriously, Op doesn't deserve him.
I would have been lucky to get the cake! My ex wasn't good at birthdays.
I cracked up laughing thinking HOW can you honestly not know that YTA!!!?? like WTF???
All of that effort and its a "F U you messed up my birthday cause I don't like the decorations""??
I hope he dumps her and blocks her everywhere as you can bet that she'll come back if she can't find someone else willing enough to put up with her BS
Agreed you read all these stories about terrible, lazy entitled, uncaring partners who and yet someone with a caring person who puts that much effort in and they don’t appreciate it.
@@Miltz69 She even admits she sounds entitled...without realizing she IS entitled!
Don't think I've ever heard XO laugh so much ....then with the crazy birthday OP 🤣🤣
It's his best yet!
Step horror of a dad and grand monster should have been divorced by mom to let them treat her son that way. They actually said he was selfish when they are the ones.
I could literally feel my face fell when I got to the "twist" of the last story.
Oh No! The decorations weren't perfect?
Child, you're not 16, you should be grateful there even ARE decorations.
16? My 8 year old grandson wouldn't behave like this!
a switch, decorations? if I had a bf I would be freaking happy if my bf would take me to a cheap restaurant for my birthday lol
I'm mad because her birthday wasn't a big disaster.
Who talks about fertility issues at a “meet the family” dinner?!?! How does that even come up in conversation?
Just spend some time alone op. You are not in a good place.
It comes up in conversation when one of the dinner guests is a rude and intrusive know it all.
I absolutely love when the story is so crazy that the reader is trying not to burst out laughing at it... Sometimes that is better than the story itself...
Last story. If she doesn't want her boyfriend, I would like him,please. He listens to what his girlfriend wants, he decorates for the party, he cooks...does he like cats?
Well, she certainly doesn't deserve him.
She wanted the "perfect" birthday party and complained about her boyfriend not buying balloons, 1 banner and making too much food.
He went above and beyond with what he did, even with the gift.
Ungrateful and selfish women like her break great men like him. It'll get to the point he'll feel it doesn't matter what he does, it will never be good enough.
She should appreciate him for who he is and what he does, instead of focusing too much on the little things that "ruin" her special day.
I bet she doesn't do a tiny fraction as much for his birthday. He's probably lucky to even get a cake he likes, whilst holding over him, "you ruined my birthday, so this is what you get."
For real! What a quality man!
Second story. Wow. I have owned cats since 1990. In 1995 I had an operation that took away my ability to have children. One was not dependent on the other and the cats were much more supportive than my mother, who stayed with me for 3 weeks to "help me" (really, she made my life hell. My doctor sent her home.) My mother had the exact same operation at the same age, for the same reason. In OP's case, does she really want to get further involved with this family? The family may be used to the know it all (not really) brother, but for her boyfriend to not only not shut him down, or defend her, but berate her once in the car? There were so many red flags flying it started a hurricane headed to Florida.
Wild guess...hysterectomy for fibroids? That ran in my family
How to tell a family is full of assholes and narcissists: When standing up for yourself and showing you won't be bullied is a "bad first impression".
@@judyjohnson9610 Okay, I'm afraid...
@@kitsumekat they are not cancerous and to the hest of my knowledge, not fatal. But they can be mighty inconvenient. On the bright side, it is not always needed to remove the uterus
@@judyjohnson9610can confirm. Have them myself, still have all my bits. A pill a day keeps shark week away, which is where those darn thing’s really show themselves.
Story 1: Just depressing
Story 2: Holy crap 🤦
Story 3: That "Ballet Crowd" 😄
Story 4: I feel you. My cousin and I - the same thing. You've just got to suck it up and move on my friend💕
Last Sorry: Yes OP, you're in the right.. he's aaawful and you should leave him right away. Where is he right now ❓ cuz I need to go comfort him.
Story 1: Agreed. Want to give that kid *all* the hugs.
Story 2: Yeah. He sounds like such a catch. /s
Story 3: Ikr? I mean, I *kinda* see where OP's concern is coming from, but she *seriously* doesn't have a say here. She should be focusing on her own kids and explaining that it isn't her call and isn't her "double standard." Among man, *many* other things.
Story 4: Yeah. I'm an Aspie and *any* change is hard to deal with. I mourned Mom deciding she had enough of the living room *carpet.* Didn't help any that no one *knew* what was up with my until my mid-20s. My parents did the best they could, but there's only so much you can do when you don't know what the problem is.
Last Story: Agreed. And I'm asexual!
Exactly with Story 4, I felt the same way when my best friend, who always spoke about moving to a new state with me and having a small home with two kittens, got pregnant and moved in with her long time boyfriend. It is understandable to mourn the future that is now lost, but snapping at her friend about it is not healthy.
Story 2: I can't even get around to how f'd up the boyfriend's behavior is because I can't get past the " cats are the reason women become infertile" comment.
I don't get the animosity towards the 4th OP. She merely expressed she was mourning the status quo. Also just because she will miss living with her friend, doesn't mean she was into her. 🤦🏾♀️
In story 1, everyone made it perfectly clear that he is not family. So if he decided to vanish while they were on vacation, no one would bother to look for him right? If he put up with their bs for 12 years I’m sure he could make it on his own. Being treated that way by family will be far more damaging than going out on his own and having to rough it.
When you can't even make it through the narration without laughing, you know it's a big YTA.
My stepdad‘s mom is one of the sweetest people I know and she always makes me feel like I am part of the family, I’m very disappointed that OP’s folks and grandfolks are letting him down.
That last story can't be real. I can't imagine anyone acting that way. Particularly in a family like mine. The matriarchs of the family would wooden spoon you unconscious after the first ungrateful word.
One commenter said that she should start a Gratitude Journal. I agree. Most of us could benefit from that. OP especially
Second story: Something else I'll never understand is people who claim they're dating a "kind-hearted (or some sort of "good")" person only for that very person to turn on them somehow. Can't be _that_ good if that's the case.
not once or twice we see posts
"he/she is kind and loves me. sure they yell at me and call me lazy, ugly and stupid but he/she has never hit me!!11"
and if your previous partner has been major asshole monster, one degree less asshole feels like heaven sent first.
i mean,they have dated only 8 months, still new relationship ignorant and environment that's easy to pretend. first trip with family and she saw true him. i truly hope she walks away and doesn't fall for excuses
@@duckeh1952 I mean she has left a horrible impression on his family? what about the impression the family left on her? the older brother was a jerk and neither the bf nor anyone else told him to knock it off.
1:41 I'm screaming "the circle is red enough! Move on!" That stressed me out more than the story.
"It is known that cats mess up a womans ability to get pregnant."
Yeah, because those fluffy little snuggle monsters get right in the middle and take all the attention away.
HIS family left a bad first impression with OP!
As someone who is currently pregnant and living with 3 cats, I have to strongly disagree with this being "known." 😂
@@Missannies24 That child will be having 3 friends that will always love them
@@Missannies24 ❤️😺
I have had cats my whole life and have twins...I'm scared to think how fertile I'd be without my cats
In all my 70+ years, i never heard this before. Growing up lots of neighbours had large families, dogs, cats, farm animals. However sheep were the only animal for a pregnant woman to avoid.
Story 1: Leaving the OP home alone during annual family vacations for years sounds like possible felony child abandonment.
Not at 17 going on 18.
@@thedorkone1516 It would be if they left the child home along at age 10
1st story, OP has learned that she doesn't have any family left. OP should get away from this toxic family and go no contact.
I love how the speaker laughed saying 'Ballet crowd' 🤣🤣
My God story one is just awful. Your parents allow this Brenda to treat a child this way? If you were my stepson I would tell Brenda to take her fancy bs and shove it HARD. I am just disgusted. I hope you get away and get to have a life filled with love that you deserve.
Story 2 dump city for this asshat, he is not it.
Oh God, that last one. 🤣
I couldn't even finish it. XD It got to "he only got one banner and no balloons, boohoo" and I said "I can't. I can't finish this."
No Balloons! That monster! And it sounds like he forgot the bouncy castle too!
The laughing gives away the outcome of the story so quick and I love it. 😂
Story 4: honestly, reads like they were qpps but it was so poorly communicated between them that op didn't even really get the courtesy of a formal breakup
Not a fan of the general condemnation of platonic life relationships, but do agree they need to be clearly agreed upon, communicated, and desired long term by everyone involved.
I'd love to know what that last OP did for her boyfriend on his birthday. I'll bet it wasn't anywhere near as thoughtful, elaborate and expensive (a gaming system, extra controllers and FIVE games)! That guy needs to run and find someone who'll appreciate him.
ETA: I could tell from the setup that there was a "but" coming and that somehow all of his efforts weren't going to quite be good enough.
' somehow all of his efforts weren't going to quite be good enough. ' That's not somebody you want to stay with. Been there
Shes one of those types that thinks her presence is a blessing
Wow, that mom is 100% a gold digger
Story 1… OP’s mom and the stepdad and family are AH’s … hopefully he will go NC when he can go out on his own.. they obviously don’t want to be his family anyway..
Story 2… OP please tell us he’s an ex boy friend… he’s obviously not going to defend op over his family’s intrusion into something that’s none of their business..
Love when the narrator tries not to laugh.
I feel like visiting the family for the 1st time is just as much a seeing who they are as it is seeing who you are and this includes the person you're dating. The number of stories I see on here where my loving boyfriend or my loving girlfriend did this when we met their family is appalling. Everyone is always trying to impress the person they're dating but this is one of the true 1st opportunities for them to show who they really are. Remember 1 of the most important lines to learn in life is when somebody shows you who they are believe them.
The first story hit me hard today because today is my birthday. While I don't have a rich grandmother, I do have a narcissist mother (now 88) who would tell me the story of my birth ad nauseum on my birthday and not send me anything. The key is that it isn't the worth of the gift, it is the thought and love behind it. OP's grandfather had the thought and heart, but now he is alone. This year, I came into this day with a different attitude and made it my own. Won $24 on a scratch off, went to a restaurant where I got a free meal for my birthday. Since I was one of the first 25 people there, I got a free Tshirt! (Really cute)Used part of the $24 to go to a coffee shop where I got a free cookie for my birthday, which I ate with my coffee. Found 4 lucky pennies in the parking lots. Used the rest of the $24 to buy cat food for my cats. A young friend left a birthday card and a Mother's Day card in my mailbox, with money!! I am about to go up to CVS drugstore and spend $3 CVS bucks they sent me on something. Last year I was feeling sorry for myself.
OP is better than that whole family. He should go out and find a "chosen family" which is many times much better than blood. Would be better than his mother, stepfather, stepsibling, and evil hag of a grandmother. Don't think of them. Live well. What they do will no longer concern him.Eventually he will go low/no contact because they are no longer important to him.
I’m so glad you have a lovely new mindset and found a way to recognise you ARE special and enjoy your day.
Happy belated birthday!🎂 🥳
@@kitsumekat Thank you! It was wonderful!
I always make the day special *take my bday as leave, have a big breakfast, open cards and go to a art gallery and restaurant with a friend etc. Life is for living! 😀 also tell your mother, it will be you turning off her life support 😈
@@latristessdurera8763 I think about that. I wouldn't do that, but that says more about me as a person. If she was on life support, she would be in the prison of her own body.
Story 1: Wow, mother and stepdad of the year! 🙄 I hope OP gets away and goes NC.
Story 2: We REALLY need to teach biology and anatomy (and real sex education) to every student in this country. OP didn't overreact, and she doesn't need that guy (or his family) in her life. She's better off with her cats.
Story 3: The "gateway to museums" etc. comment was perfect! 😂
Story 4: People grow up and change. OP needs to accept what's happening. She can talk it out with a therapist or another friend, but has to let her childhood plans go.
Story 5: WTAF is wrong with OP?!?!?!? Yeah, She's absolutely the AH. David went WAAAAAY above and beyond and seems like an incredibly kind, loving, and generous person.
Story 5 Why do the good guys get bratty girls like this?
@@carolroberts4614 because they hide their true nature until they think they have their partner hooked to them for life. They are really good at pretending to be nice and good people
The second story speaks more about general human stupidity than a lack of teaching about biology, anatomy, and sex education. Some people will literally be taught all that and STILL choose to believe dumbass bullshit. Why else do people in this day and age believe that vaccines cause the autism spectrum, which I will remind people is thousands of years old and the source of mythological creatures like changelings.
I'm still waiting for that crowd to explain the temporal gymnastics it takes to explain how a modern invention retroactively causes something so much older.
Human stupidity is the rule, not the exception when it comes to our kind.
Story 4: I wonder if OP may be neurodivergent. I'm on the autism spectrum and *have* reacted this way to things. I try *not to,* but it happens. Changing plans, people growing up and moving away, *life happening* ... It's all quite hard for me to deal with.
@@brigidtheirish Y'know what? You're absolutely right. And as a parent of 2 Autistic kids I should've thought of that. (I'm going to blame Covid brain. That's my story & I'm stickin' to it, lol!)
I do hope she finds someone she can talk to about it all, who can help her to move on.
With the platonic friendship story; OP may be asexual (and not know it), which is why they are upset to lose the life they planned because to them, having a platonic partner is all they need in life. OP’s friend is not the same and that’s just how it is. I don’t feel like people should be attacking OP about “growing up” but realizing this is a form of “break up” they need time to grieve, work through, and speak with a professional about their expectations in friendships
also could be autistic
yes, exactly. OP is lashing out in a way she shouldn't, but as an asexual, aromantic person who gets too lonely living alone but doesn't want anything more than platonic relationships I completely understand that feeling. it's a feeling that I have feared experiencing, but I'm lucky in that I have actually found someone who is ALSO asexual and aromantic and we are planning to live together and grow old together like this also. we have two other friends who may be in the same boat (possibly asexual, one is heteroromantic, other I'm unsure about) who are also in this plan, where we want to get a plot of land and have effectively a nerd commune XD. OP probably should have seen this coming earlier than now, but she was likely in denial. doesn't excuse lashing out, but does explain it. finding a therapist that understands or at least is accepting of asexuals/aromantics would likely help her process this, as it's clear that not a lot of allosexuals/alloromantics are going to be understanding of her pain
I'm not asexual or aromantic and honestly, OP's idea sounds pretty nice to me too. It's hard for me to feel comfortable getting into a relationship for other reasons. Think reddit was showing it's conventional bias.
@@EllieC130 I’m in
Yea I’m aroace and I really felt for op, I’d love to have a platonic life partner but with how the VAST majority of people value romantic relationships it’s probably not gunna happen. That realization was devastating for me at the time, and I think op just had that happen to them
Story 1, some parents really are that garbage. My mum was the same way even though it was him living off her money. Its heartbreaking feeling that unloved and unwanted. Mother and step father will get their karma. I hope op is able to go low/no contact and start healing and thriving.
The person wanting to love platonicly with their friend makes me think that they are Aro ace and are unaware of it.
I love it when the reader breaks and starts laughing. Some of these stories are just ridiculous lol
Story 4: it sounds like op viewed that friend as her life partner. The best friend didn't view the relationship the same way. They had this plan for over a decade and never had a conversation about either of them deviating from that plan.
Op was essentially dumped but isn't being allowed to grieve the relationship because the best friend didn't take those plans - that they were actively carrying out - seriously.
Yeah. I feel bad for her.
Yeah people were way too mean to her in comments
I thought so too!
Thanks for your perspective. I thought the plans made seemed childish and unrealistic. But as you point out, she was dumped from her perspective. I wonder if it was a unspoken one-sided celibate lesbian on the OP side maybe because of religious reasons and still can't openly share her real feelings.
@@brenttaylor8907 I got asexuality/aromantic vibes from the post tbh. Because that was essentially a plan I had with a friend before she found her girlfriend. I feel sorry for OP…
This grandmother sounds like the mother in Flowers In The Attic. I have grandchildren that are not blood to me and I could never treat them different from the ones that are blood. I love and sacrifice for all of them.
Haaahahaha, the last story is gold! Bonus for XO cracking up. As long as OP apologizes and does better later, I think they'll be good.
OP's family in Story 1 is complete trash. This will be the same family that will be upset when OP no longer wants anything to do with them.
They'll want or need something from him and then get all pissy when he says no.
I felt so bad for the OP in the first story. When my kids were little, it wasn't unusual for us to take a friend of theirs with us when we went away.
Family isn't about blood or shared DNA. It's about love.
My brother and his wife couldn't have kids. They adopted 2 girls from India. No one looks at them as anything other than family. And it's not unusual for me to forget they are adopted.
Let me stop at, "I got mad at him because he didn't do the decorations well." A switch plus 6 games and extra joycons!? I just purchased these items. That is about $800 dollars alone, not to mention the dinner for you, your friends, and your mom, the homemade foods, the cake you like (and since I'm getting gold-digger vibes already) I assume is pricey af. If he doesn't dump you by the end of the story I'll be sadly disappointed.
You laughing at the last one says what everyone was thinking 🤣
I have absolutely no words for that first story. All the adults suck the mother especially. Minus grandpa, God rest his soul. Hell if I were him I would have fought for custody. This is absolutely neglect!
I can't imagine ditching any of my kids because my new mother in law doesn't consider them family. I would have said all or none when it came to support and family trips. If she didn't like it she could pound sand and not see her "legitimate" grandkids. This whole story is absolutely disgusting!!!
And you know the other kids could see the difference in treatment between them and their half brother. I'm super curious to know how they explained that one to them. Smh to think how they were probably made to treat him as less than family to please grandma. Disgusting, no other word sums up this story better.
Last story: I think that is the most that XO has ever cracked up reading a story
Story 1 almost sounds like "Flowers in the Attic"
Last story: Absolutely YTA.
Look OP, either you want to be surprised or you tell your bf exactly what you want for your birthday. Or tried looking for a mind reader to date if you want to be both.
Omg XO ... lost it .... that laugh 🤣
Story one. Have a big party at your parents house for your birthday. Put it on social media. Make it as obnoxious as possible. And let your mom and step dad and step grandmother reap the whirl wind
Stepmom story
If OP doesn't put her foot down, the kid might go to a musical without getting a dispensation from the pope first. THE HORROR!
Boarding School Kid: I know OP sees herself as the stepdaughter’s parent, but this decision to send her to boarding school is between the girls’ biological parents. It’s not like OP and her husband have to shell out lots of money to send the girl to boarding school, she has a scholarship. Judging by the girls’ behavior, it seems like her mother has raised her to be a responsible young person🙂
I loved how the narator cracked up at OP being mad about the balloons in the last story. Like even he couldn't comprehend this bullshit he was reading
Girl…..run!!!!! This guy is NO better than your abusive EX. This “good man” didn’t stand up for you, NOT a good man!!!!!!
Story 1: wow!!! I can't believe your mom has went along with everything for 12 years and then gets mad when you ask for her to stay with you one time. NTA
Grandmother sounds like such a pleasure
The last story bf sounds great he tried his best and cooked food. As long as it wasnt burnt or caused anyone to get sick, she should be grateful!
Whew. I could have commented sooner, but the mom in the first story calling her child selfish set my irony propeller spinning so hard I rocketed into the stratosphere.
I love how he just can’t hold in his laughter 🤣
Do your self proud and get great grades make your self wealthy and when they come knocking at you're door tell them you don't have a family.
Selfish pricks from Story 1: We're family. Don't be such a selfish brat.
The mother who allowed her child to be mistreated because she married into a rich family sounds like some classic,"Flowers in the Attic" type ish.
Step-mother to a 16 year old is the idiot for over stepping her role. The girl has two parents who are responsible for her welfare. Let them do their job.
Not so very long ago it was common for teen girls to get married and start their families just out of HS, and not much longer back they were married by 16, having families and guarding the homestead when their menfolk were out hunting, or plowing the back forty.
I think the 16yo should have extra supervision simply just because they are a young person and for safeguarding reasons.
That pause before the narrator says entitled...I freaking lost it.
Thanks again XOS. Appreciate your work for us. ASAP cut ties and make a better life. One day, too late probably, they'll realize their loss.
I'd do some really over the top shady stuff to the whole family in that first story, like I'm talking about heinous felony crimes lol. I'd never be able to let any of them live a happy life, there wouldn't be enough money in the world to reverse what I'd do to them lol.
Yesszir. U know whats good
a little planted drugs on bro and sis being found by the school he doesn't go to will knock them down a peg. Grandma just start an anonymous gossip mill about bad things she's done. Doesn't need to be true. Gossip doesn't matter with true nor not once it's out there its free game. Mom and dad call cops on them. Anonomous cps call. Then spill the beans on how they've treated you. Start a rumour mom or dad is cheating. Some hidden panties here a unknown pair of men's used socks under their bed on step dad's side. A few calls at work with a voice changer from a pay phone. There's many easy waus to ruin someone lol.
Story 4: I don't think OP is "childish" for interpreting those plans as serious, but her friend clearly never took them seriously. NAH, OP's experiencing the loss of a life she'd thought she'd live; her friend has no way of "fixing" that so OP's pain feels like an attack. These two friends clearly never saw their friendship the same way and OP needs to move on and find whatever she's looking for somewhere else.
Life changes. OP is wrong, shes trying to tie someone in a isolated relationship.OP is needy as hell.
I don’t see OP as childish or needy either. I’m missing the part in the story where her best friend talked to her about her own intentions changing from what they had always planned, even into their adulthood. This doesn’t sound like they talked when they were 7 and never brought it up again.
It makes sense that OP might have seen things changing once her friend got into a serious relationship, but her naïveté is not the same as being needy. Many people don’t need to get married or have traditional romantic relationships to be happy and live full lives. OP doesn’t have to be in love with her friend in order to see her as an ideal living partner and BFFL - literally - although, again, it makes sense that one or both of them would change over time if they met someone they WERE romantically compatible with. They just should have talked about it before making such a big change.
OP was blindsided and she’s in mourning over the loss of the life she believed she still had, and it’s clear that she is trying to deal with that without blaming her friend. She didn’t deserve to be yelled at. (This is also why people need to stay out of other people’s bedrooms.)
Exactly. Some people don’t understand the platonic relationships for some people are everything and are much more important than romantic relationships. Especially if the woman is asexual. That was her life partner and she left. That’s devastating.
@@alexiswilliamsinc I think OP should consider Adopting a kid and raising it. It will give something to do for at least 20 years and she can have a companion while helping the community.
@@TheTen20 If OP just wants someone to share with, maybe. But adoption puts a lot of responsibility on a child to be a parent’s companion the way she had with her best friend. It’s just not the same relationship, so that could be dangerous.
With a best friend you have a support partner and someone you see as responsible as yourself. A child needs to be raised and sacrificed for without always getting reciprocity. There are too many examples of parents putting all their hopes in their children for fulfillment for adoption to be the logical next step. That’s not even beginning to consider some of the traumas that adopted children have been through, beginning with first being separated from a biological parent for any number of reasons.
Wait you grew up your entire life with your mom, step-dad, and other extended family members excluding you from everything. Treating you like you were sub-human, without feelings, or emotions. While they went on great vacations, had the best education, got top-notch presents, etc. You were basically living a real-life Cinderella.
Now you're wondering if you should be upset.
I say take the first chance that you can get and cut loose of these pieces of trash and never look back. get into therapy. Never talk to them again. Not that I think once you leave they will want to talk to you. I a surprised you have not reported them.
I would shame them all on social media. Especially the grandmother. People who are so caught up with public image can so easily taken down when the public is shown the true image of how they treat people. Because it is one thing when it is behind closed doors but when it becomes public and people start talking about it that is another thing.
But I can be petty that way.
I love it when this narrator cracks up.
First story: throw a house party while they're gone and leave the mess. Throw a house party every time they leave and let them clean it up when they get back. There are occasions when being petty is allowed.
Some people are ready for adult responsibilities at an early age. When I was 14 my parents let me travel Europe for a year with one older brother who was 22 and a couple of his mates. We drove around Europe in a VW Kombi and I did all the things young adults from New Zealand did when travelling in Europe in those days. Went to Pamplona for the Running of the Bulls, went to grand prix races, beer festivals, etc. and visited the great cultural sites of Western Europe. My parents were barely in touch with me - no email in those days. Best thing they ever did for me. In that story, the OP is the AH. Her stepdaughter seems to be managing her life well. I would be proud of her.
Kids in the US are pretty much babied all their lives, at 18 legally considered adults but aren't really prepared to be responsible adults. This girl sounds like she is more responsible than most her age. OP may not be jealous but her boys are. OP just needs to shut their crap down by firmly stating she is not this girls mother....period. So has no say in how she lives her life, but does have a say in the boys lives, so get over it. 😏
I wonder if this is really about worry, concern, and feeling this isn't right or if she does not like the fact that she cannot tell the daughter what to do like babysit her kids.
The last one: I think this holds the record for how many times our dear narrator nearly started bursting out laughing.
The young girl goes to _art_ _shows_ and Op is clutching her pearls. Both of her parents are involved in her life and are okay with the set up, this isn't Op's place to speak up on anything. She sound so controlling.
Hearing the narrator cracking up at the last story made my day, it made a ridiculous story even funnier
You made me snort-laugh!!! 🤣🤣🤣
The narrator cracking is my absolute favourite thing in all of these.
Boarding school story: 1) her step brothers are younger, so they don’t get same rights as their step sister. By OP’s argument, her younger children should be upset by increased freedom of her older children.
2) Her parents agreed to the situation.
3) It is her final year at the school, so it is really shitty to relocate the stepdaughter from her friends because her stepmother had control issues. It is also impact her college admissions progress because the new teachers will not know as well as her old teachers.
4) What Is the Stepmother going to do when the stepdaughter choose a college far from her parents
Money changes everything. Story 2, you need another new male friend.
Love it when the narrator cracks up while reading the ridiculousness of the last post. It reminds me of top chef when a chef makes a plate with several items, which makes them have to make each of them to the judges' standards - do one thing badly, it ruins the whole dish/birthday. haha
I feel bad for the platonic OP.... she sounds like she wants a quasiplatonic relationship, and I think she'd do well with seeking out others that want the same/looking into the aro community/aromantic orientation
I've had my heart broken by friends, so I know how that OP feels. But that doesn't mean her expectations are realistic. She definitely needs some therapy to help her form healthy relationships.
@@eywine.7762 People really do have platonic life-long partners, it's just rare and some pretend to be romantic around others so others don't stick their nose into it. I know a few people in years long platonic partnerships and they're quite happy. They tend to be people that are asexual and/or aromantic.
Although I do think therapy or counseling would be beneficial for her to work out her feelings, at least with the help of someone that wouldn't just try to convince her to conform to social standards.
Last Story - You know its YTA all the way when XO is trying REALLY hard to suppress full on laughing as they are reading this.
Seriously? Buys her what she wanted, decorates and cooks so obviously cannot enjoy himself and yet STILL he is a bad guy in her eyes? Good luck finding another guy like him OP because I would be subscribing a dose of separation for him.
The last story...you know what my husband did for my last birthday. He got up with the kids and let me sleep in made my favorite dinner and got me a cake. And you know what it was great that op needs a kick in the ass
I have said for many years that romance often is giving you what you need at the moment. Rough day with the kids? Order a pizza and get the munchkins to bed by yourself. I'm sure many of you could add a couple more things....
Story one immediately made me think of the Dursleys.
Geez my husband FORGOT my birthday once and I didn’t make as much fuss as that horrible entitled ungrateful undeserving woman.
Brenda Bought OP's Mom: NTA. I think it's time to distance yourself from the whole family and find your own happiness
WTF with that first story? I would be a no contact kid after I get a job. jeez! That whole family is garbage. How could the parents allow that to happen?
It sounds like OP is in love with her "friend". Plenty of people have plans like this, then life happens and the friends get romantic partners and get married and have kids.
she could also be someone who's more interested in quasiplatonic relationships! both are very possible
Hard call - Either it's the Children's Hour, or OP is still 7.
Stories where the hired voice actor backs script and starts laughing are so good
It’s not about her being responsible or not. She’s 16 and being treated like she’s an adult. Her parents don’t seem to care about her at all. She’s been alone in the world for since 14? I feel so sorry for that girl. She isn’t getting to be a kid. She was alone in on the other side country from her family during the global pandemic at 14-16! That had to be scary.
Op sounds like an idiot because her stepdaughter isn’t doing anything wrong but her husband and his ex’s sound like horrible parents.
But, but, but ART MUSEUMS. What's next, OPERA?
@@lyndatuttle it really dosnt matter where she is going. She’s still a child that was left alone
@@ghostdragon5735 exactly.
@@lyndatuttle it’s about the fact she has to be responsible at 16 instead of getting to be a kid. It’s fine she’s going to art museum and everything else but my question is does she get to feel like a kid and like her parents are parents or are they just financial backers to her at this point?
But how do we know she isn't communicating with her parents daily and is asking for permission to go to this places?