While we all haveparentsin a purely biological sense, but, unfortunately, some people can’t face the responsibility of raising a child and just run away. However, as it turns out, it can be pretty useful to actually have adult relatives around to help you in your old age, which is when folks like this come crawling back.

A netizenasked the internetfor advice when their absent father showed up 15 years later, needing help.We reached out to the person who made the post via private message and will update the article when they get back to us.

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It’s awfully entitled to show up making demands of a child you abandoned years ago

Man in a blue shirt looking stressed, touching his temples, representing family care responsibilities.

Image credits:freepik (not the actual photo)

But that is what one father did to his kids fifteen years after he left them

Text reads about dad leaving 15 years ago and now needing care. Family struggles with decision.

Text about a father who left years ago, now terminally ill and seeking care from his adult child.

Text discussing a person’s dilemma about taking care of a father who left 15 years ago.

Image credits:PastlessFuture

Some folks run away from being parents

Man Has The Audacity To Ask For Help After Abandoning A Kid For 15 Years, Gets A Reality Check

Image credits:benzoix / freepik (not the actual photo)

While technically moms can be deadbeats as well, at least after the child is born, the truth is that the vast majority of absentee parents arefathers. Importantly, a deadbeat doesn’t just mean they are “gone,” it also means they are not supporting the parent who actually raises the child. In this story, the mom was the custodial parent.

Technically, the custodial parent does have legal grounds to make demands forchild support. That being said, not all single moms have the resources or energy to try and make this happen, so dads like this often just get away with it. Or so they think. As this story succinctly demonstrates, children aren’t just a responsibility or burden, but possibly a form of social support. If you earn it.

As it turns out, aging can be pretty lonely and difficult if you have no one to help you. One can imagine a man like this has few friends if barely cares about his own children. So now he is terminally ill and alone and, surprise surprise, has no one to help. Again, he only even thought about “reconnecting” when he needed it, not earlier.

This man made his choices, now he can live with them

Man Has The Audacity To Ask For Help After Abandoning A Kid For 15 Years, Gets A Reality Check

Many of the readers did their best to drive this point home, this man abandoned these children and is now, at best, trying to guilt trip them into helping him. He wasn’t around, he doesn’t get to makerulesor demands. A more cynical person would have blocked him immediately, the fact that his netizen even has to ask is a testament to their character.

Actually getting closure is important and it’s also important to maintain this framing. They are doing it for themselves, not out of some misguided duty. Importantly, the mom is also still in the picture and does not seem to care either. That should be a pretty good sign, if the woman who actually raised you doesn’t want anything to do with thisdeadbeat, neither should you.

Some folks gave some suggestions

Reddit thread discussing 15 years of an absent father, regret, and caring for a dying parent.

Reddit comment discussing family decisions about caring for a dying father who left 15 years ago.

Text discussing a father who left family years ago, now dying and seeking care; focuses on mental health and personal decisions.

Online discussion about a dad who left home 15 years ago, now seeking help as he’s dying, with mixed emotions shared.

Text exchange about caring for an estranged parent, reflecting on past pain and complicated family dynamics.

Reddit comments discussing the dilemma of caring for a dying dad who left 15 years ago, emphasizing personal choice.

Text conversation about a father returning after 15 years, discussing family abandonment and responsibilities.

Reddit comments discussing the dilemma of taking care of a dying father who left the family 15 years ago.

User comment about dad leaving, expressing a strong emotional response over the phone.

Reddit comment saying “No thanks” about taking care of a dying father who left the family 15 years ago.

Comment rejecting request to care for dying dad who left family 15 years ago.

Reddit comment discussing a father’s request for caregiving, questioning obligations after leaving family 15 years ago.

Reddit comment discussing a dad who left and is now dying, suggesting action.

Comment discussing a dad who left and is now asking for care, with a strong negative response.

Comment advising self-respect and not helping absent dad now dying.

Text on family dilemma advice regarding a dying dad.

Text image discussing a father leaving family 15 years ago, his illness, and request for care now.

Comment on Reddit about deciding not to care for a father, reflecting on past experiences.

Text response about dad leaving 15 years ago, commenting on consequences with strong language.

Comment saying “follow your heart” about taking care of a dying dad.

Text conversation discussing a father who left 15 years ago, now seeking care in his final days.

Comment on taking care of dad who left, suggesting setting a price for care.

A Reddit comment reads, “You owe him nothing,” regarding dad leaving 15 years ago.

Later, they shared some updates after doing what some readers suggested

Update note thanking readers for their advice and support regarding dad’s care situation.

Text discussing a dad who left 15 years ago and the speaker’s feelings of not owing him care now.

Elderly man sitting on bed, looking pensive and thoughtful, relating to family care.

Image credits:Drazen Zigic / freepik (not the actual photo)

Text on image about closure when deciding to visit a dad who left 15 years ago and now is dying, emphasizing personal terms.

Text reading “The dreaded meeting is happening tomorrow. I’m not sure what it will reveal, but I’m doing it for myself.

Text discussing feelings of regret and unanswered questions about a dad who left 15 years ago.

Text about family dynamics and care decision after dad left years ago.

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