Teen Snaps at Mom: ‘My Dead Brother is Long Gone!’

Imagine growing up in the shadow of a sibling who passed away, constantly being compared to them and forced to live their life. That’s what happened to a 16-year-old boy, who we’ll call Jack. His older brother, Tom, died in a car accident when Jack was just 9 years old. Since then, his parents have been treating him differently, forcing him to wear Tom’s old clothes, cook Tom’s favorite meals, and even celebrate Tom’s birthday as if it were his own. But when his parents tried to push Tom’s career aspirations onto Jack, he finally snapped.

A Life in Tom’s Shadow

Parents’ Unusual Coping Mechanism

Living with a Ghost

Driving Fears

Birthday Blues

Career Talk

Unexpected Response

Parents’ Disappointment

Pushing Tom’s Dreams

Standing Up for Himself ✊

Parents’ Accusations

The Breaking Point

Emotional Outburst

Fed Up and Ready to Move On ‍♂️

Parents’ Reaction

Is Jack the Bad Guy Here?

After years of living in his late brother’s shadow, Jack finally snapped at his parents, telling them that Tom is long gone and he’s tired of being a replacement. His outburst left his mom in tears and his dad calling him a disrespectful jerk. But is Jack really the one at fault here, or have his parents been pushing their grief onto him for far too long? Let’s see what others think about this emotional family drama…

NTA, but OP’s family needs therapy for their unhealthy behavior.

Commenter suggests therapy for parents’ unhealthy grieving process.

NTA. Supportive replies acknowledge grief but call out abuse.

Parents’ inappropriate behavior towards deceased son causing trauma for OP.

A teenager defends themselves after being scolded for not honoring their deceased brother’s memory. Family obsession is causing concern among extended family. #NTA

Teen feels unsupported by parents after brother’s death. NTA

Commenter supports OP and suggests therapy for parents.

Disturbing manifestation of grief, justified outburst, parents need therapy.

Stop enabling them and set boundaries. Seek counseling for support.

Commenter empathizes with teen’s struggle with grief-stricken parents.

Teen asserts independence, dad brings up deceased brother. NTA.

Redirect the conversation to their dead son with a speech.

Surviving sibling shares pain of being overshadowed by deceased brother.

Commenter sympathizes with teen’s loss and criticizes parents’ behavior.

Replacing a lost child with another isn’t fair to anyone

Parental abuse to mimic dead sibling. NTA.

Clarification on OP’s age for context

Commenter and reply agree on Dali’s similar experience.

Commenter empathizes with OP’s struggles with parents’ mental health.

Supportive comment suggests counseling for grieving parents. NTA situation.

NTA comment stands up for teen’s outburst

Commenter empathizes with OP’s situation and calls it child abuse

Family abuse? Seek help from relatives and prioritize your safety. ⚠️

Commenter sympathizes with poster’s struggles with parents

Supportive comment receives no replies, but deserves recognition ❤️

NTA for wanting to be your own person, therapy needed

Empathetic reply to grieving teen receives heart emoji ❤️

Setting boundaries after brother’s death, but parents crossed the line.

Commenter suggests watching Stand By Me with OP’s parents

Commenter supports OP and insults their parents

Compassionate comment suggests family therapy for grieving family.

Commenter defends teen, sarcastically questions family’s burial plans

Grieving parents projecting onto you? NTA for snapping

Teen stands up to toxic family, threatens to leave home

Commenter sympathizes with teen’s difficult situation and offers support.

Commenter empathizes with OP, suggests therapy for parents. NTA

Encouraging empathy and therapy for traumatized family.

Commenter sympathizes but calls out parents’ toxic behavior.

Teen rightfully sets boundaries after family’s unfair expectations.

Encouraging NTA comment suggests finding a grief counselor for support

Commenter calls out abusive behavior, compares it to horror movie

Loss of a sibling can be tough. Seek professional help.

Commenter suggests therapy for OP’s parents in horror-like scenario.

NTA, advised to talk to parents calmly about their delusion

Commenter advises to run from creepy situation

Encouraging reply to NTA comment advocating for independence and boundaries.

Supportive comment calls for professional help.

Seeking help for family struggles can be beneficial.

Supportive comment suggests seeking help for creepy parents.

Grief counseling needed to prevent losing another son.

Commenter supports OP, suggests therapy for parents.

Confused comment, no replies. Who is Faramir?

Take control of your space and boundaries. NTA

Heartbreaking story of being treated as a replacement sibling

Heartbreaking comment about losing a sibling.

Honouring the memory of a loved one

Don’t let their grief consume you. Seek counseling. #NTA

Parenting advice: Don’t push away your child grieving a loss

Commenter not at fault for snapping at insensitive mom

Empathetic comment supports teen’s right to grieve differently

Encouraging therapy for parents in NTA comment

Commenter advises therapy for parents to repair relationship with teen. ‍

Commenter empathizes with OP’s situation and supports their actions.