On the forums, a 27-year-old young woman shared her dismay over the behavior of her parents and her brother. The latter missed his wedding to attend their 21-year-old son’s football match, marking the latest event in a long series of abuse.
While many families tend to favor one child over the others, this favoritism is sometimes blatant in some and can lead to real breakdowns in the relationship. This is the case for this 27-year-old young woman who decided to share her story on Reddit and ask Internet users’ opinions. After several years of relationship, her partner Lucas proposed to her. Together, they decided to have a simple ceremony, bringing together family and close friends. When she told her family, they seemed to lack interest in the news and dismissed the discussion with a “that’s good.” At that moment she actually thought they hadn’t heard her. Despite a complex family history, her partner convinced her to invite her parents and her brother.
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Yet, the invitations were never answered despite reminders by SMS, which remained “read”. When she showed up at her parents’ house, an hour’s drive from home, she talked about her wedding preparations but her mother interrupted her several times to talk about her younger brother’s latest exploits and accomplishments. After a while, she then chose to confront the latter by explaining that she was organizing an event, the dates of which were unchangeable and that she needed an answer. His mother then informed him that she could not be present because she and her father were scheduled to attend her brother’s final football game of the season. This mark of favoritism unfortunately did not surprise her because she had been able to observe it throughout her life.
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A life marked by rejection
The young woman explains that her brother received a lot of attention from birth, without presenting any particular needs. Over the years it has become a spoiled “mama’s boy”constantly complaining and expecting others to stoop to his needs. As for her mother, she is today the cliché of the overprotective mother that we make fun of on the internet. She completely abandoned her daughter. Her father tried to provide love and support but quickly showed cowardice when it came to confronting her mother. If the young woman had to work hard to pay for her studies and succeed because his parents told him that they had spent the money from the fund on repairs following a fire. His brother, for his part, obtained a scholarship thanks to his qualities as a footballer.
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She says her parents always prioritized her brother’s graduations and missed every ballet performance or event in high school and college. Her marriage was therefore no exception to the rule. On the wedding day, the guests were greatly surprised by the absence of his parents. Her grandfather, who she is very close to, brought her to the altar and showed signs of anger at the situation. Following the ceremony, the newlyweds went on their honeymoon and decided not to look at their phones.
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Cut ties?
Turning their phones back on upon their return, they could only note with surprise the multitude of calls and messages from his parents and his brother. Some were insulting, others asked for forgiveness. During their trip, aunts posted photos on social media and implied that it was shameful for parents to miss their daughter’s wedding. They were now humiliated in their community. The grandfather had also come forward to express his disapproval. This wave of criticism seemed mark a turning point for his father who confronted his mother for the first time.
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On Reddit the young woman questions her audience; Is she in the wrong role? Should she forgive her family? After a lifetime of being second, she chose to put herself before others. The comments are almost unanimous on the question. She made the right choice and the grandfather’s behavior was exemplary. The young woman explains thatshe had to maintain contact with her family because she was threatened by other family members and her brother whenever she was not reachable. This type of parental behavior isa toxic relationship and has harmful effects on the development of children. Sometimes, it is important to listen to your needsdespite blood ties, especially when they hurt you.
Editor
A versatile journalist, Léa has collaborated with Diplomatie magazine and the Magnum Photos press agency. In 2024, she joined the Auféminin team as a freelancer. Passionate about international news, politics and…
Belgium
