More info:Reddit
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If parenting is a test, then being the firstborn is like being a lab rat
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The young parents ignore the teen’s needs her entire life, are never there for her when she needs them, yet go on having other kids they actually want to parent
Image credits:Nataliya Vaitkevich / Pexels (not the actual photo)
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Our Redditor isn’t your average teen. She spent most of her time atfriends’houses, trying to avoid the fact that her parents, who had her at 18, weren’t exactly winning any Parent of the Year awards. Turns out, they regretted having her so young and basically viewed her as a “trial run.” Can you imagine hearing that?
Meanwhile, our OP (original poster) gets to sit back and watch as her parents finally start acting like parents, but only for the second kid. I don’t know about you, but I’d be fuming at this point.
They’re practically asking their 15-year-old daughter to parent her own sister because they’re too busy making new ones. It’s a classic case of parents viewing their oldest as an extra pair of hands instead of, you know, a teenager with her own life and needs.
So, what does the OP do? She hits them with a firm, well-deserved, “Nah, I’m good.” And honestly, can you blame her? Why should she give up her time for a child she didn’t ask for? Especially when herparentsbarely put in any effort to raise her in the first place. I’d probably do the same thing. Actually, scratch that—I definitely would.
And don’t even get me started on the “you owe us” argument. Her parents dropped the classic line that the OP should be grateful for everything her parents have done for her. Excuse me, Dad, what exactly would that be?
Image credits:Pixabay / Pexels (not the actual photo)
According to our OP, these parents have done the bare minimum—no parent-teacher conferences, no birthday celebrations, no showing up when it mattered most. They didn’t even pick her up from school when she was sick. But now, suddenly, she owes them? For what, exactly? For keeping her alive? I don’t think so. She did a pretty good job at that herself, if you ask me.
Look,kidsdon’t owe their parents anything. They’re supposed to grow up supported and loved, and when that doesn’t happen, it can leave some deep emotional scars. When parents check out emotionally, it’s not just about missing a few hugs or bedtime stories—it creates a sense of unworthiness, as if you’re forever stuck on the sidelines waiting to be seen.
“Because the parental bond with their children should be unconditional, we see far reaching damage when children don’t know who supports and encourages them. If there is favoritism, the wound is even deeper because the child internalizes a sense of worthlessness and self-doubt,” Fox explains.
We wanted to know what steps teens in neglectful households can take to preserve their mental health. Fox told us that teens should seek out support from other trusted adults, such as relatives, teachers, coaches, or mentors. Having someone outside the family who believes in them can significantly boost their self-esteem and resilience.
We also asked Fox about the consequences teens face when their parents clearly favor a sibling over them. She told Bored Panda that when teens see their parents favoring a sibling, it can lead to feelings of inadequacy, anger, sadness, and a range of other negative emotions. As a result, they may engage in risky behaviors, act out, or fall into depression.
“It is very hard to believe in yourself if the people who are supposed to love you unconditionally don’t. It is a very unfortunate situation, and parents really need to understand how devastating it can be,” Fox explained.
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