Teen Tells Estranged Dad She Doesn't Remember Him, Causes Him to Leave Meet-Up

Chifundo
A teenage girl with wind blowing in her hair.
Unsplash | Daniil Smirnov

A father who has been gone for 8 years, suddenly returns and is met with mixed emotions from his family. While his wife and daughter are overjoyed, his other daughter has no emotional connection to him anymore. When asked if she misses him, she admits that she barely remembers him. This confession causes the father to cut the visit short and leave, causing a rift in the family.

The daughter who spoke the truth is accused of being selfish and insensitive. Was she in the wrong for being honest about her feelings, or is the father at fault for disappearing for so long?

Read more and share your thoughts about the story!

Father-daughter reunion goes awry due to memory loss.

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Heartbroken daughter meets estranged dad, causing him to leave 😢

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Teen's estranged father leaves after she reveals no memory of him

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Teen reconnects with estranged father after 8 years, but feels nothing.

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Teen's honesty causes estranged dad to leave meet-up 💔

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Teen's reunion with estranged dad goes wrong, family blames her.

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Teen's comment causes dad to leave meet-up 😞

impossible-honey-902 | impossible-honey-902

Teen's honesty causes estranged dad to leave meet-up.

impossible-honey-902 | impossible-honey-902

Is the teen at fault? You decide! 🤔

impossible-honey-902 | impossible-honey-902

Teen's estranged dad leaves meet-up after she reveals truth

A 15-year-old girl meets her dad, who left the family when she was seven without explanation. She barely remembers him and feels no emotions upon seeing him again after eight years. When her dad asks if she misses him, she honestly replies that she doesn't remember him.

Her dad leaves the meet-up early, hurt by her words. Her mom and sister blame her for ruining the meet-up. Was she in the wrong?

Let's explore the situation and reactions in the comments below.

Daughter speaks truth, dad throws tantrum and leaves. NTA 👏

ExcitingChange2007 | ExcitingChange2007

Dad walks out on daughter at 7, shows up 8 years later, blames her for not remembering him, and tries to gaslight her. Mom and sister side with him, but commenters are on OP's side. #NTA 💪

Hot_Pot8os | Hot_Pot8os

Commenter supports OP's decision to not remember abusive father.

HotAlternative7372 | HotAlternative7372

Abandoned father deserves NTA judgement, concerns about mother's reaction 🔥

EdgeMiserable4381 | EdgeMiserable4381

Family not over estranged dad's departure. OP not at fault. 🤔

YourMainManJesus | YourMainManJesus

Estranged dad resurfaces after 8 years, claims love but no apologies. 🤔

PatientPear | PatientPear

Commenter shows support for teen's decision to not remember absent father.

IllustratorNew8801 | IllustratorNew8801

NTA. Dad abandoned you, sister lashes out at you.

Natz2103 | Natz2103

Empathize with the commenter, family's reaction is understandable. #NTA 🤷‍♀️

SandrineSmiles | SandrineSmiles

Father abandons daughter twice, gets confronted, and bails again 😔

[deleted] | [deleted]

Abandoned by dad, teen not at fault for not remembering him 🤷‍♀️

MysteriousWays10 | MysteriousWays10

Mom's reaction implies dad caused trouble in the past. 🤔

AuraOfHeroism | AuraOfHeroism

Telling the truth is allowed. You're NTA for being honest 😌

dog_star_ | dog_star_

Commenter defends teen's decision to not have a relationship with dad.

AggravatingPatient18 | AggravatingPatient18

Father's absence doesn't justify returning as dad of the year 🤷‍♀️

Security_G_Aka_Dave | Security_G_Aka_Dave

Father abandons daughter again after being reminded of his neglect. 🚶‍♂️

Competitive_Lime_852 | Competitive_Lime_852

Commenter supports teen's decision to not welcome estranged dad back.

Gracie1994 | Gracie1994

Avoiding family drama like 🏃‍♂️💨 #NTA

[deleted] | [deleted]

Daughter not at fault for dad's abandonment, family needs closure 👏

needs420hookup | needs420hookup

Teen rightfully holds estranged dad accountable, family tries to guilt her. 🚶‍♂️

[deleted] | [deleted]

Dad storms off after daughter doesn't remember him. 🤦‍♂️

UnusualRedFlower979 | UnusualRedFlower979

Teen rightfully calls out dad's entitlement, not the a**hole.

rusalkamaya | rusalkamaya

Mother defends estranged father, but commenter calls her out.

fizz1620 | fizz1620

Emotional reunion turns sour as dad fails to handle rejection 🤦‍♂️

[deleted] | [deleted]

Dad's unrealistic expectations crumble under the weight of his past.

Mishy162 | Mishy162

A heartwarming NTA comment about reconnecting with a distant parent ❤️

CatF4n4t1c | CatF4n4t1c

No emotions, no guilt: Teen stands up to estranged dad 👏

youhidethebody | youhidethebody

Daughter stands up for herself against absent father. 🙌

ThistleFaun | ThistleFaun

Father reappears after 8 years, daughter not obliged to lie. 💁‍♀️

throwaway-983527 | throwaway-983527

Teen rightfully rejects estranged dad's attempt to reconnect. 🙅‍♀️

majere616 | majere616

Cheering for the daughter standing up to her deadbeat dad 🙌

Magnetic_universe | Magnetic_universe

"Stop blaming me for the actions of my deadbeat dad." 💁‍♀️🚶‍♂️

[deleted] | [deleted]

Being honest doesn't make you mean. NTA for telling truth.

toofat2serve | toofat2serve

Don't blame yourself for not remembering, NTA. 💛

CantankerousSloth | CantankerousSloth

Mother's behavior at meet-up with estranged dad raises concerns. NTA.

OutlawPixieStick | OutlawPixieStick

Supportive comment applauds teen for not missing estranged dad.

Realistic-Tune-9365 | Realistic-Tune-9365

Don't blame yourself, he made the choice to leave twice 😔

princessbizz | princessbizz

Honesty hurts, but it's not always wrong. 🤷‍♀️

DogsReadingBooks | DogsReadingBooks

Estranged dad leaves meet-up after daughter's honest response. #NTA

MC-OD | MC-OD

Teen stands up for herself against absent father, not at fault 🙌

mangonlime | mangonlime

NTA's reasonable doubts about estranged father's return and family's expectations.

xxSKSxx_ | xxSKSxx_

Mum's not over him, he's a piece of work. NTA 💪

Round-Ticket-39 | Round-Ticket-39

Father expects hero's welcome after abandoning family, gets reality check 🤷‍♀️

PsychologyAutomatic3 | PsychologyAutomatic3

OP's family is upset she was honest about estranged dad.

Jeezy_Creezy_18 | Jeezy_Creezy_18

Mother's grudge shouldn't burden child's relationship. 🙅‍♀️

jarcordiegue | jarcordiegue

NTA stands up for herself, earns our respect 👏

professionalmeangirl | professionalmeangirl

Father's absence causes pain and anger in daughter's life. 😔

pugapooh | pugapooh

Teen tells estranged dad the truth, family reacts poorly. NTA.

ggcc789 | ggcc789

Honesty wins: Daughter not the a-hole for estranged dad's reaction 💯

outfluenced | outfluenced

Standing up to an absent father's entitlement. 🙌 #NotTheA**hole

Brittaya | Brittaya

Honesty hurts, but it's not your fault. NTA 👏

SquirrelBowl | SquirrelBowl

Don't blame yourself. His absence is not your fault. 💪

leelalola_ | leelalola_

Sometimes the truth hurts 🤷‍♀️

ObtuseMongooseAbuse | ObtuseMongooseAbuse

Absent father gets what he deserves, daughter not at fault 👏

DarthWookiee189 | DarthWookiee189

Calling out a father's hypocrisy: NTA 🙌

YouCommercial4519 | YouCommercial4519

Encouraging comment to a teenager dealing with family issues ❤️

magog12 | magog12

Teen stands up for herself and calls out dad's abandonment. #NTA

PotatoMonster20 | PotatoMonster20

Daughter shames absent father for his entitled behavior 👏

miflordelicata | miflordelicata

Estranged dad tries to reconnect, gets reality check and leaves 👋

[deleted] | [deleted]

Valid feelings, not selfish. NTA 🙌

bonlee21 | bonlee21

A mature response expected from a parent, but ends in disappointment 😔

HairTop23 | HairTop23

Stand your ground! 💪🏼

woot-woot17 | woot-woot17

Take it slow with your estranged dad. NTA for being cautious 🚶‍♀️

solhyperion | solhyperion

Daughter stands up to absentee father, internet cheers her on 👏

vedxts | vedxts

Commenter supports OP's decision to cut off estranged father. 🙌

Amara_Undone | Amara_Undone

Defending a 15-year-old against unfair blame and calling out toxic behavior 👏

Vivid-Masterpiece-29 | Vivid-Masterpiece-29

Sharing your truth is brave. Remembering absent parents isn't easy 👏

edgarallanpotatoe | edgarallanpotatoe

Commenter empathizes with OP and calls out absent father's behavior 💔

kissthemformee | kissthemformee

Commenter defends OP, asks why dad isn't taking responsibility 🤔

scattyshern | scattyshern

Standing up for yourself against an absent 'sperm donor' 🙌

idontknowmtname | idontknowmtname

Brutal honesty or unnecessary cruelty? 🤔 NTA stands firm.

VirtualPanda89 | VirtualPanda89