Teen Feels Neglected By Parents, Is He Wrong For Wanting Birthday Celebration Without Sister?

Alfe Mercado
Birthday cake
Unsplash | Aneta Pawlik

A 15-year-old boy feels frustrated after his parents repeatedly prioritized his younger sister over him. Despite making plans for his birthday, his sister's needs come first. The boy has had enough and tells his parents he won't stand for it anymore. But are his feelings justified, or is he being selfish? Read on to find out what Reddit users had to say about this.

Birthday disappointment: Teen feels let down by parents' promises 🎂

worried-pizza6682 | worried-pizza6682

Sibling rivalry or neglected teen? 🤔

worried-pizza6682 | worried-pizza6682

Teen feels neglected by parents for prioritizing younger sister.

worried-pizza6682 | worried-pizza6682

Teen's frustration over feeling neglected by parents during gift-giving.

worried-pizza6682 | worried-pizza6682

Teen expresses disappointment over neglected birthday gifts and celebration.

worried-pizza6682 | worried-pizza6682

Parents favor sister's play over son's school award 😢

worried-pizza6682 | worried-pizza6682

Sibling overshadowing birthday, never gets own spotlight 🎂🎉

worried-pizza6682 | worried-pizza6682

Sibling rivalry and parental neglect affect teenage birthday celebrations.

worried-pizza6682 | worried-pizza6682

Birthday blues: Teen feels neglected by parents, wants to be celebrated

worried-pizza6682 | worried-pizza6682

Teen feels overshadowed by sister, wants own birthday celebration 🎂

worried-pizza6682 | worried-pizza6682

Neglected teen wants birthday celebration without sister, but parents disagree 🤷‍♂️

A 15-year-old boy feels neglected by his parents due to their prioritizing his younger sister, who they struggled to have, and almost lost at birth. Despite his parents' promise to throw him a party for his 16th birthday, they've decided to cancel it to do something for his sister, who is currently being bullied. The boy feels hurt and unimportant, as he's always had to share his special occasions with his sister. He believes it's unfair that his parents prioritize her over him, and he's finally had enough. He wants to be celebrated and feel special on his birthday. However, his parents disagree, and he's left feeling like he's in the wrong. Is he being unreasonable, or are his feelings justified? Read on to find out what others have to say.

Feeling neglected on their birthday, OP is not the a**hole.

ScorchieSong | ScorchieSong

NTA. OP is the scapegoat, but can cut ties after college 💪

ElvisCresposblanket | ElvisCresposblanket

NTA. Heartbreaking story of birthday neglect and favoritism by parents.

LuLuDeStruggle | LuLuDeStruggle

It's not about the sister, it's about neglect towards him 😔

tossmetossme13 | tossmetossme13

Choose your own birthday, make friends and family who appreciate you 🎂

Team_Hermit | Team_Hermit

Encouraging advice to make an exit plan from toxic parents 💪

squirlysquirel | squirlysquirel

Neglected by parents, seek help from friendly adults 🤝

chocomoofin | chocomoofin

Neglected teen seeks validation, asks for advice on favoritism.

Vox_Popsicle | Vox_Popsicle

Celebrate your birthday with friends who appreciate you 🎉

Mountain_Mix_3593 | Mountain_Mix_3593

Sibling rivalry at its worst, NTA for wanting your own celebration 🎉

AnnaBananner82 | AnnaBananner82

Deserving big brother wants to feel special too. NTA 🎉

Ok-Writer-774 | Ok-Writer-774

Commenter defends PS5 purchase for pampering, sparks debate.

Accomplished_Cup900 | Accomplished_Cup900

Sibling jealousy arises over birthday celebration, sparking bullying allegations. 🎂

Tall_Trust | Tall_Trust

NTA wants birthday celebration without sister, parents neglectful 🤷🏻‍♂️

winwin-22 | winwin-22

Sibling jealousy is real 🤔. Commenter expresses feeling neglected.

Hermiona1 | Hermiona1

Grandpa tried to help but failed. 🤷‍♀️

MissBlue12345 | MissBlue12345

Birthdays should be focused on the person. NTA for wanting celebration. 🎂

LurksAroundHere | LurksAroundHere

Don't let the 'Golden Child' dynamic ruin your birthday. 🎉

monstrositye | monstrositye

Supportive comment encourages OP to plan their exit strategy ❤️

CryptoJess1 | CryptoJess1

Plan a secret celebration with friends and let parents know why.

randallbabbage | randallbabbage

Heartwarming support from Reddit moms and aunts 🤗❤️

Moni_CSM | Moni_CSM

Neglected by parents, teen deserves to feel special too 🎉

b_sen | b_sen

Encouragement for neglected teen to plan own life and go low contact 😔👊

Shannaro21 | Shannaro21

Unfair Christmas gifts and a neglected birthday wish.

Professional_Ruin953 | Professional_Ruin953

Commenter supports OP's frustration with unequal treatment by parents.

Angelgirl127 | Angelgirl127

Expressing feelings through a letter can work wonders 📝 🎉

jpaz77 | jpaz77

Teen shares heartbreaking experience of feeling neglected by parents.

GravityBlues3346 | GravityBlues3346

🎂 Neglected by parents, teen wants birthday celebration without sister. NTA.

jammy913 | jammy913

Teen expresses hurt over unequal treatment and threatens to cut ties.

Crayoliittahh | Crayoliittahh

Celebrate with friends who care. Don't let Ava spoil it! 🎉

HunterDangerous1366 | HunterDangerous1366

Stand up for yourself! 🙌 NTA for wanting birthday celebration.

hellahellagoodshit | hellahellagoodshit

Teen feels neglected by parents due to sister's difficult entry

roxywalker | roxywalker

Sibling entitlement causing bullying? NTA for wanting celebration 🎉

dodie2599 | dodie2599

Redditor offers heartwarming alternative to neglected teen's birthday wish 🎂

Schlumpfine25 | Schlumpfine25

Wishing a happy birthday to OP, NTA for wanting celebration 🎂

MaryK007 | MaryK007

Celebrate your birthday with people who care about you 🎉

thtzzv | thtzzv

Unfair favoritism? Tell them how you feel 😠

Hot-Muffin- | Hot-Muffin-

Go for it! You're almost an adult 🎉👍

HeadBonk | HeadBonk

🎉Deserving of a birthday celebration? NTA, blame parents 100%

generate_a_name | generate_a_name

Neglected teen advises on boundaries, hopes for change ❤️

[deleted] | [deleted]

Teen feels neglected by parents, asks for love on birthday ❤️

zoomzoom42 | zoomzoom42

Call out favoritism and express your feelings - NTA 👍

rainbow_mak3r | rainbow_mak3r

Celebrate your birthday your way 🎉🎂 You deserve it! NTA

LengthinessPure3305 | LengthinessPure3305

Choose your own family, move out and celebrate your way 🎉

Guilty-Shape-6878 | Guilty-Shape-6878

Validating NTA comment, suggests sharing thread with neglectful parents 😢

Chi_Tiki | Chi_Tiki

Escape from neglectful parents and start anew 👏

Soft-Mousse-1000 | Soft-Mousse-1000

Neglected by parents, teen advised to make exit plan early 💼

JCWa50 | JCWa50

Teen feels neglected by parents and is justified in wanting birthday celebration.

ltlyellowcloud | ltlyellowcloud

Kid's parents suck as parents plain and simple 👎

Blommer12345 | Blommer12345

Celebrate with those who care, forget the afterthoughts 🎉

SpecialistAfter511 | SpecialistAfter511

Celebrate with friends instead 🎉👬

BeABeaconGiveHimHead | BeABeaconGiveHimHead

Neglected teen considers going no-contact with parents on birthday 🎂

Ginboy32 | Ginboy32

Encouraging advice to neglected teen to celebrate birthday with friends 😊

LostGurrl | LostGurrl

Younger sibling gets all the attention, OP NTA for wanting celebration 🎂

Rural_Bedbug | Rural_Bedbug

Take control of your life and celebrate with friends 🎉💰

alcohall183 | alcohall183

Neglected teen suggests avoiding birthday celebration to protect emotions.

candidkolibri | candidkolibri

Teen feels neglected by parents, but not the a-hole for wanting birthday celebration without sister.

Blurred_Background | Blurred_Background

Not the a**hole for wanting own birthday celebration 🎉

CorvusEpictetus | CorvusEpictetus

NTA stands up for himself and seeks validation from peers 👍

Substantial_Plum3460 | Substantial_Plum3460

User sympathizes with OP and criticizes parents' favoritism. 💔

MarsNirgal | MarsNirgal

16-year-old feels neglected by parents on birthday. NTA 🎉

Minute_Point_949 | Minute_Point_949