A teenager is asking for judgement after refusing to play happy family with her mother who is coping with childhood trauma and the effects of a divorce. The daughter says she is tired of pretending to be a happy family when her mother decides to come over for dinner, and wants to set boundaries. The situation is complicated by the fact that the mother is a medical practitioner and works long hours. The daughter's decision has upset her father and she is wondering if she is the a**hole. Read on to find out more about this family's drama.

Strained relationship with overworked, insecure mother due to childhood trauma.

Dealing with emotional manipulation from separated parents growing up 😔

Teen struggles with new reality after parents' separation

Mom tells teen to be supportive during parents' separation

Teen feels excluded from mom's dinner invites, doesn't reciprocate.

Teen feels burdened playing happy family with separated parents 🙁

Teen rejects mother's attempt at forced reconciliation, seeks authenticity 👍

Teen refuses to pretend happy family with mom after separation 😔

Teen confronts mom on selfishness after parents' separation. 💔

Teen struggles with parents' separation and dinner obligation, seeks validation.

When pretending to be a happy family gets exhausting 😩

Teen acknowledges both parents' flaws in difficult separation situation

Teen opens up about post-parents' separation struggles in replies

Breaking the cycle: Teen sets boundaries with seeing mom's therapist

Making the best of a bad situation with barebones apartment 🏠

Teen's unique take on living arrangements amidst parents' divorce 🏠

Teen navigates parents' separation and mother's insecurities
Growing up, the poster's father constantly reminded them and their sister to check on their mother, who suffered from depression and anxiety. Now, with their parents separated, the mother expects the family to play happy every time she decides to drop by for dinner, and the poster is tired of pretending. They refuse to entertain her whims and are now questioning their decision. The situation brings to light the effects of a separation on a family and how it can impact mental health. In this post, we dive into the complexities of familial relationships and the challenges of supporting loved ones through mental health issues. The post also highlights the importance of boundaries and the need for individuals to prioritize their own mental wellbeing. Let's discuss this post and share our thoughts on how to navigate tough family dynamics.
NTA. Don't be your mom's therapist. Change your locks 🔑

Supportive comment advises teenager on dealing with immature parents 👍

Setting boundaries with a parent post-divorce. 🤔

Putting your emotional needs first is not selfish, NTA 👏

Sibling struggles in parent's separation, living situation not ideal 😔

Setting boundaries with emotionally immature parent, recommended book and article 📚

Teen struggles to prioritize her and her sister's needs. NTA ❤️

NTA child of emotionally abusive parents gets support and advice.

Teen forced into parental role, shows maturity and self-awareness. 🧑👧

Support for a teen dealing with a narcissistic parent 🙏

Teen rightfully prioritizes own needs over selfish mother's after separation 💪

Drawing boundaries after parents' separation. Therapy recommended. Good luck! 🤞

Parent demanding child to parent is unacceptable. NTA. 👌

Choose what's best for you, but be polite and firm 💪

Cutting off toxic family members is tough but relieving. 💪

Protecting yourself from a toxic parent? NTA 🙌

NTA. Dealing with a narcissistic parent is tough 😢

Encourage counseling for mom and protect your own mental health 💪

Neglectful parents force 14yo to fend for herself - NTA ❤️

Support is a two-way street. NTA for standing up.

Prioritizing mental health as a parent 👏

Commenter calls out mom's victim mentality and enabling behavior.

Don't let mom have a monopoly on selfish behavior 🙅♀️

Being a child of separated parents is tough. Mental health matters.

Put your mental health first. You don't owe anyone anything 💪

Divorce is hard enough without being forced to play happy families 😕

Mother's selfish behavior after separation leaves child in shock 😳

Commenter empathizes with OP's struggle with their mother's actions.

Prioritizing your mental health is not selfish. 👏

Children are not emotional support animals 🙅♀️

Teen stands up to neglectful mother after parents' separation 👏

Teen stands up to selfish mother, earns NTA judgement 👏

Setting boundaries with a bi-polar parent. NTA 👏

Childhood trauma takes a toll on mental health. #NTA

Self-centered mom gets what she deserves. You go, OP! 🙌

Parental depression and burdening children = unhealthy. NTA.

Commenter empathizes with OP's situation and calls out parents' behavior. 💔

Advice for setting boundaries with a needy parent 🚫👩👧

Protecting emotional well-being: Mom's selfishness hurts everyone involved 💔

Suggest family therapy to deal with mother's unhealthy coping mechanisms. 🧐♀️

Seek professional help for family's separation and well-being 💬

Parenting is a full-time job, not a part-time hobby. 👨🏻👦🏻

Putting your trauma on kids? Not cool. 🙅♀️ #NTA

Being a parent means putting your children first ↑👍

OP's mom expecting too much post separation 🤔

Curious about the reason for separation, NTA supports teen's decision.

Parents' responsibility to make kids happy, not other way around. 👍

Commenter takes a clear stance on parents' separation with NTA 👍

Kids deserve peace too. NTA for setting boundaries with mom.

Taking a stand for what you want and need. 🙌

Commenter supports teen's decision to not coddle mom. 👍

Validating the daughter's feelings and recommending family counseling 💔💼

Don't be her emotional crutch. NTA 👏

Be selfish sometimes, NTA. Your mom needs to support you 🙌

Commenter suggests tough love for estranged mother. 💪

Empathize with the child's emotions and condemn the parents' actions 😔

Teen struggles with mom's selfishness and parents' separation, NTA. 😡

NTA, mom's selfishness is damaging her children. She needs therapy. 💔

Choose yourself first! 🙌 You're not the a**hole. NTA

Therapy needed all around. NTA for refusing fake happiness 🧘♀️

Reach out to mom's therapist and express your concern ❤️

Setting boundaries with parents after divorce: a difficult but necessary step 💪

Teen struggles with mom's selfish behaviour after parents' separation 🤔

Teen stands up for herself and sets boundaries with mom 👏

Teen stands up to unfair family expectations after parents' separation 🙌

Supportive comment suggests therapy and challenges parent's decisions 👍

Questionable parenting and support for independent youths. 🤔

Teen won't fake happy family. NTA's reply celebrates self-care.

NTA for refusing to play happy family with absent parents.

User sympathizes with teen and questions parents' motives for separation.

Standing up to mom's issues. NTA 🙌

Validating the commenter's feelings and suggesting therapy for the mom 💙

Commenter relates to OP's struggle with mother's denial, suggests therapy.
