Teen refuses to play happy family with mom after parents' separation

Diply Social Team
Unsplash | Unsplash

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.

thowwwawwayyyy2604 | thowwwawwayyyy2604

Dealing with emotional manipulation from separated parents growing up 😔

thowwwawwayyyy2604 | thowwwawwayyyy2604

Teen struggles with new reality after parents' separation

thowwwawwayyyy2604 | thowwwawwayyyy2604

Mom tells teen to be supportive during parents' separation

thowwwawwayyyy2604 | thowwwawwayyyy2604

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

thowwwawwayyyy2604 | thowwwawwayyyy2604

Teen feels burdened playing happy family with separated parents 🙁

thowwwawwayyyy2604 | thowwwawwayyyy2604

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

thowwwawwayyyy2604 | thowwwawwayyyy2604

Teen refuses to pretend happy family with mom after separation 😔

thowwwawwayyyy2604 | thowwwawwayyyy2604

Teen confronts mom on selfishness after parents' separation. 💔

thowwwawwayyyy2604 | thowwwawwayyyy2604

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

thowwwawwayyyy2604 | thowwwawwayyyy2604

When pretending to be a happy family gets exhausting 😩

thowwwawwayyyy2604 | thowwwawwayyyy2604

Teen acknowledges both parents' flaws in difficult separation situation

thowwwawwayyyy2604 | thowwwawwayyyy2604

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

thowwwawwayyyy2604 | thowwwawwayyyy2604

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

thowwwawwayyyy2604 | thowwwawwayyyy2604

Making the best of a bad situation with barebones apartment 🏠

thowwwawwayyyy2604 | thowwwawwayyyy2604

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

thowwwawwayyyy2604 | thowwwawwayyyy2604

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 🔑

GangGang_Gang | GangGang_Gang

Supportive comment advises teenager on dealing with immature parents 👍

Dramatic-Dish8009 | Dramatic-Dish8009

Setting boundaries with a parent post-divorce. 🤔

NotMyCircus170 | NotMyCircus170

Putting your emotional needs first is not selfish, NTA 👏

exul_noctis | exul_noctis

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

lady_wildcat | lady_wildcat

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

allexgrace | allexgrace

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

throwawayj38sld | throwawayj38sld

NTA child of emotionally abusive parents gets support and advice.

Whitestaunton | Whitestaunton

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

Proud_World_6241 | Proud_World_6241

Support for a teen dealing with a narcissistic parent 🙏

nanya_Business_b00 | nanya_Business_b00

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

wkendwench | wkendwench

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

del901 | del901

Parent demanding child to parent is unacceptable. NTA. 👌

ArundelvalEstar | ArundelvalEstar

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

felinestrong | felinestrong

Cutting off toxic family members is tough but relieving. 💪

Orangesunset98 | Orangesunset98

Protecting yourself from a toxic parent? NTA 🙌

Lurkingentropy | Lurkingentropy

NTA. Dealing with a narcissistic parent is tough 😢

jojozabadu | jojozabadu

Encourage counseling for mom and protect your own mental health 💪

Babsgarcia | Babsgarcia

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

microscopig | microscopig

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

TheSciFiGuy80 | TheSciFiGuy80

Prioritizing mental health as a parent 👏

rightobobo | rightobobo

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

AsuraRathalos | AsuraRathalos

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

DiTrastevere | DiTrastevere

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

Momster404 | Momster404

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

GreenDutchman | GreenDutchman

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

B_S_C | B_S_C

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

mustytomato | mustytomato

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

Icy_Conversation_612 | Icy_Conversation_612

Prioritizing your mental health is not selfish. 👏

AirenAshura | AirenAshura

Children are not emotional support animals 🙅‍♀️

I_Suggest_Therapy | I_Suggest_Therapy

Teen stands up to neglectful mother after parents' separation 👏

Vitalicize | Vitalicize

Teen stands up to selfish mother, earns NTA judgement 👏

Ahsoka88 | Ahsoka88

Setting boundaries with a bi-polar parent. NTA 👏

awkwrdaccountant | awkwrdaccountant

Childhood trauma takes a toll on mental health. #NTA

Knittingfairy09113 | Knittingfairy09113

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

Stompin_At_The_Savoy | Stompin_At_The_Savoy

Parental depression and burdening children = unhealthy. NTA.

trarecar1 | trarecar1

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

that_fork_is_mine | that_fork_is_mine

Advice for setting boundaries with a needy parent 🚫👩‍👧

Comfortable-Side-757 | Comfortable-Side-757

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

zealous-grasschoice | zealous-grasschoice

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

Sea_Requirement_9839 | Sea_Requirement_9839

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

NeverRarelySometimes | NeverRarelySometimes

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

Master_Cave | Master_Cave

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

BackhandSlapper | BackhandSlapper

Being a parent means putting your children first ↑👍

tcrhs | tcrhs

OP's mom expecting too much post separation 🤔

thesaturnalien | thesaturnalien

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

[deleted] | [deleted]

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

ADHDLifer | ADHDLifer

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

That_Contribution720 | That_Contribution720

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

DazzlingAssistant342 | DazzlingAssistant342

Taking a stand for what you want and need. 🙌

[deleted] | [deleted]

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

whatshedo | whatshedo

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

Fragrant_Lobster_518 | Fragrant_Lobster_518

Don't be her emotional crutch. NTA 👏

daemoss227 | daemoss227

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

flyingcactus2047 | flyingcactus2047

Commenter suggests tough love for estranged mother. 💪

QueenCloneBone | QueenCloneBone

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

Gullible-Attorney360 | Gullible-Attorney360

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

miamimely | miamimely

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

immadriftersbody | immadriftersbody

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

the_anonymous_gal | the_anonymous_gal

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

emaji33 | emaji33

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

Queen_Sized_Beauty | Queen_Sized_Beauty

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

practiceallthethings | practiceallthethings

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

slendermanismydad | slendermanismydad

Teen stands up for herself and sets boundaries with mom 👏

Ihateyou1975 | Ihateyou1975

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

VibrantIndigo | VibrantIndigo

Supportive comment suggests therapy and challenges parent's decisions 👍

savvyblackbird | savvyblackbird

Questionable parenting and support for independent youths. 🤔

Neko4tsume | Neko4tsume

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

Obtuse-Angel | Obtuse-Angel

NTA for refusing to play happy family with absent parents.

MrsT381 | MrsT381

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

NoeticSkeptic | NoeticSkeptic

Standing up to mom's issues. NTA 🙌

Valerina13 | Valerina13

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

Triona01 | Triona01

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

uwu_tears | uwu_tears

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