Birthdays are supposed to be a time of joy, celebration, and thoughtful gifts from loved ones. But what happens when a seemingly amazing present turns out to be a major disappointment? Join me as I share a story from my 16th birthday that left me feeling more frustrated than grateful. Buckle up, because this tale is full of family drama, unfair expectations, and a desktop computer that caused more headaches than happiness!
A Not-So-Sweet 16th Birthday Surprise

Birthday Breakfast & School Celebrations

Family Dinner & Gift Time

Money Gifts & The Big Reveal

️ The Dream Desktop… With a Catch

Saving Up for the Dream

Mom’s Unexpected Intervention

Confusion & Frustration

Siblings Hogging the ‘Gift’

Confronting Mom About the ‘Gift’

️ Mom’s Angry Response

The Phone Analogy

Stepdad’s Reaction & Accusation

Off to College Without the ‘Gift’

A Birthday ‘Gift’ Gone Wrong: Family Drama & Unfair Expectations
Well, that was quite the birthday rollercoaster! From the initial excitement of receiving a high-end desktop computer to the crushing realization that it was more of a ‘family gift’ than a personal one, this story is packed with relatable frustrations and family drama. The birthday boy’s analogy about his stepdad’s phone drives home the point about the unfairness of the situation. It’s no wonder he started celebrating his birthdays with friends instead of family after this fiasco! Let’s see what the internet has to say about this birthday ‘gift’ gone wrong…
Supportive comment telling OP they’re in the right.

NTA uses clever analogy to call out parents’ behavior

You’re NTA, it’s your gift. Parents should respect that
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Parents ignored criticism, gaslit, and made unfair demands. NTA.

Don’t let guilt-tripping parents ruin your birthday #NTA

Fair judgement, parents are the a**holes in this situation

Deserving a birthday gift is not a cheap necessity. NTA

Don’t let them spoil your gift

Birthday gifts should make you happy, not guilty. NTA

Glad the commenter supports OP, but concerned about recurring issues

Unfair gift-giving causing tension in family. Empathizing with commenter.

NTA. High-end gaming computer is for son’s use, not family. Parents’ demand weird.

OP’s parents know they’re the a**holes but keep doubling down

Sell the computer and buy something else. Not the a****e.

Negotiate beforehand if giving family gift, NTA for refusing.

NTA. Dad claims gift for son is his. Family console?

NTA for not wanting to buy everyone gifts on your birthday

Building a gaming PC for birthday and family demands use? NTA

Dad shows how to be a good parent. #NTA

Individual birthday gifts should not be shared, NTA
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Curious about OP’s parents’ justification for keeping college computer?

Petty revenge thoughts after parents demand expensive gift refund. #NTA

Petty revenge ideas for ungrateful parents.

Stepdad understands but stays silent. NTA wins the day

Sibling gift drama at Christmas, NTA feels unappreciated

Sibling rivalry over gifts can be tough

NTA. Birthday gifts should be personal and enjoyable, not shared

NTA. Birthday gifts should be for you, not for sharing.

Sneaky suggestion to outsmart entitled parents

Sharing a top bunk for 3 years? Valid feelings, NTA
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Parents demand son’s birthday gift back. Commenter thinks NTA.
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Parent admits to being a ‘tightwad’ and not thinking things through ♂️

The real gift is the freedom to tell entitled parents off

Standing up for yourself against unreasonable parents

When parents ruin a gift, the bitterness never fades away.

Heartfelt apology from a fellow mom for OP’s disappointing birthday.

Sharing is caring? When birthday gifts become communal property

Standing up to manipulative parents who use your birthday as an excuse to buy a new family computer. #NTA
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Gift wasn’t for him, just for show. NTA for being upset

When birthday gifts lead to family drama

Taking ownership – NTA destroys own gift, AH or not?

Regifting nightmare turned into birthday sadness and loneliness

Sassy suggestion to deal with ungrateful parents with NTA comment.

Parents demand gift back, pretending it was for you? NTA

Feeling left out of gift-giving can be heartbreaking

Parents’ control over gift leads to entitlement debate.

Appreciating gifts is important, but family gifts should be fair.

The commenter is not the a**hole and would rather receive no gift than a thoughtless one.

Giving practical gifts isn’t always the best choice

Parents give disappointing birthday gift, commenter shares worse experience.

Parents demand household purchase as birthday gift. Commenter supports OP.

Getting a bike for your birthday but can’t use it? Definitely NTA.

Don’t let anyone guilt you into giving away your belongings.

A relatable story about a selfish gift-giver with strings attached

♂️ NTA stands up to backhanded gift-giving parents on birthday.

Sharing one desktop among siblings is normal, but parents should enforce schedule. NTA

NTA. Gift was never yours. Get dad a petty gift

Parents used birthday as an excuse to get a computer

Fair judgement. Gifts should be personal, not family-oriented.

Parents should have handled gift situation better. NTA.

Squashed Sweet 16: Redefining gift-giving for selfish parents.

Family drama on birthdays, but OP chooses love over toxicity. ❤️

Relatable comment about unwanted birthday gifts, NTA
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Frustrated commenter considers petty revenge against entitled parents and computer hogging.

Last Updated on May 16, 2024 by Diply Social Team