Imagine growing up as the invisible child in your family, with your parents’ attention constantly focused on your siblings. You grow up, move away, and build a life with your closest friends. Then, out of the blue, your parents call you just three days before Thanksgiving, expecting you to drop everything and fly home. This is the story of a 25-year-old woman who found herself in this exact situation. Let’s dive into her tale and see if she’s in the wrong for not caring about her parents’ sudden interest in her life.
The Invisible Child ️♀️
A Life of Solitude
Found Family
Moving Away
The Unexpected Call
Surface Level Relationship
Thanksgiving Invitation
Last-Minute Notice ⏰
Mom Hangs Up
Dad’s Threat
Ignoring the Guilt Trip
Silent Holidays
Is She the Jerk for Ignoring Her Parents?
So, our protagonist found herself in a tough spot when her parents, who had barely paid her any attention growing up, suddenly expected her to drop everything and fly home for Thanksgiving with just three days’ notice. She declined, and her dad even threatened to stop paying for her college (which she had already graduated from three years ago). Now, her friends are saying she’s being a jerk for not caring about her parents’ attempt to reconnect. Let’s see what the internet has to say about this situation…
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Graduated 3 years ago, lives 2 states away, NTA.
NTA. Parents forgot basic info, just want to feel better.
Neglected child rightfully snubs parents’ last-minute invite
Concerned commenter suggests medical examination for OP’s parents. NTA.
Sassy response to unreasonable parents. Cut them loose. NTA
Chosen family over blood relatives. NTA for rejecting invite.
Building a life without them was the right choice. NTA
College graduate refuses last-minute Thanksgiving invite, not the a**hole
NTA. You reap what you sow. Sucks to be them.
Parents try to make up, but reveal lack of care. NTA.
Forgetting you live 2 states away? NTA comment calls out parents
Snarky response shuts down guilt-tripping parents
Redditor expresses concern for OP’s parents’ extreme forgetfulness.
Graduated 3 years ago, but dad still paying for school? NTA
Setting boundaries and living your best life
Prioritizing mental health over toxic family relationships
Envy makes them think NTA is AH. Family sounds immature.
Heartfelt comment suggests seeking professional help for emotional trauma. ❤️
Graduation forgotten, dad cut off child. NTA.
NTA, Parental neglect, move on and create your own happiness.
Family neglects basic details, commenter supports snubbing Thanksgiving invite.
Chosen family over blood, NTA. Don’t waste time worrying.
Family tragedy and miscommunication lead to Thanksgiving invite misunderstanding
Suspicious last-minute invite? Maybe they wanted something else
NTA who declined last-minute invite, offers counter, and faces guilt-trips.
Family forgets to invite, commenter says ‘suck it up’ #NTA
Glass child finds new family, parents blew their chance. NTA
Last-minute invite? NTA for snubbing. Dad was unreasonable.
Graduated 3 years ago, dad threatened to stop paying college. NTA.
Forgiveness is not a one-time event. ✌
Importance of setting boundaries with toxic family members.
Cutting out toxic family for self-care
NTA. Keep your head up, away from the rents.
Not the a**hole for not dropping everything to reconnect
Found family > biological family. NTA for rejecting toxic parents
Supportive comment suggests showing friends post to clear misunderstanding.
NTA comment praises OP’s emotional maturity and recognizes their struggles.
Forgotten and snubbed, NTA commenters side with invisible child.
Parents’ last-minute invite after years of absence is suspicious. NTA.
Compassionate OP refuses last-minute Thanksgiving invite from obnoxious parents. NTA
Don’t let guilt-tripping parents bring you down. NTA
Neglected for 25 years, NTA for snubbing last-minute invite
Don’t give in to abusive parents’ threats and coercion. Check family.
Redditor finds humor in father’s empty threat for tuition money
Skeptical of parents’ sudden invite, commenter advises OP to be cautious.
NTA. Parents forgot you moved, expected impossible last-minute invite.
Family’s lack of understanding leads to sad Thanksgiving situation.
NTA. Commenter sympathizes with OP and advises against friends’ influence.
Parents act entitled to time, NTA for declining invite
Setting boundaries with estranged parents: NTA!
Birth parents ≠ obligation. Dislike them? Don’t waste time
“Guilt tripping is not the way to build connections.” NTA
You tried to reach out, NTA. Ball is in their court
NTA, don’t go to meet up. They may have life-changing news
User defends OP and calls out parents and friends for being AHs
NTA. The parents neglected the child and now want something.
Offering sympathy and advice for possible early onset Alzheimer’s situation
NTA. Acknowledging neglect is healing, don’t pretend nothing happened.
User supports OP’s decision to not attend parents’ Thanksgiving invite.
Self-sufficiency over toxic family. NTA
No contact, no invite. NTA stands their ground
Don’t let guilt-tripping parents ruin your Thanksgiving plans
Advice on setting boundaries and rebuilding relationships with family.
Not the a-hole for refusing last-minute invite. Threat is gross.
Forgotten child confronts parents after Thanksgiving invite snub. NTA.
User sympathizes with OP’s situation and warns of future expectations.
Concerned commenter suggests medical check-up for parents’ behavior change
Moved and graduated, NTA, donors not parents. You owe nothing
Supportive commenters agree: parents and friends are in the wrong
User suspects parents had ulterior motives, advises OP to forget them. NTA
Parents ignored OP their entire life, guilt-tripping now is wrong.
No obligation to spend Thanksgiving with estranged parents. NTA
Chosen family over blood. No contact for personal peace. NTA
Chosen family over blood. NTA for declining invite
Parent’s unreasonable ultimatum and guilt trip. NTA.
NTA. Parents can’t expect you to turn life around on demand
Standing up for yourself: NTA for rejecting last-minute invite
Cutting ties with toxic parents. NTA
