Jealous Daughter Makes Her Cousin Cry At Their Grandpa's 85th Birthday Party For Bringing Her Pet Finger Monkey

She got upset when her mom did not scold her cousin for bringing a pygmy marmoset to their house but found dogs unsanitary.

Chelsi

• Published in Animal Stories
• July 8, 2024

A 30-year-old made a scene at her grandfather's 85th birthday party when her cousin brought her pygmy marmoset pet to the gathering. OP didn't realize her real issue was the double standards between her and her 22-year-old cousin, Jane.

OP explained that she grew up in a family with strict values — they were especially rigid about table manners. Their family was also the de facto host for important family gatherings.

As such, OP's parents spared no expense to celebrate her grandfather's birthday. OP said she helped decorate for hours, her dad paid for everything, while her mom cooked food and was in charge of all the invites.

Everyone in the family was invited, including Jane. OP didn't like Jane because her parents' strict rules didn't apply to Jane.

She said her mom pitied Jane and took her in because her parents were "unstable." They dealt with alcoholism and incarceration, so she felt her mom excused Jane's behaviors she wouldn't approve of in anyone else.

OP found Jane "unconventional but couldn't blame her because of her rough upbringing." Jane's recently adopted pet only cemented this belief for OP.

OP found it incredibly irritating that Jane brought Nips everywhere, even to their house. OP thought her mom would finally scold Jane because of how she felt about bringing animals, even large dogs, inside the house unhygienic.

To her dismay, her mom found Jane's pet adorable and cooed over her. When Jane showed up to their grandpa's party at the last minute with Nips in tow, OP thought it would be her mom's breaking point.

Instead, her mom showed Nips off to everyone, including the birthday celebrant.

OP thought her grandpa looked uncomfortable being around the animal. Since her mom was fine with it, OP thought it was her duty to scold Jane for bringing a monkey to a party.

Jane looked confused when OP confronted her. OP told her bringing Nips everywhere was disrespectful. She said Jane should have left Nips at home.

Jane left the party crying. OP's mom was mad at her and said she undid all the effort they put into making Jane feel welcome in the family.

Her grandpa looked miserable after Jane left. OP said their reaction made her feel like the bad guy.

Redditors encouraged OP to reflect to find out why she was jealous of her younger cousin who was dealt a rough hand.

OP dismissed the suggestion and justified why she was right to reprimand (see: humiliate) Jane in front of everyone.

Jane could have brought a service animal and OP would have found an issue with it.

OP shouldn't have assumed how her grandpa felt about Jane bringing a pet to the function.

Maybe OP just isn't ready to face her real issue is.

Still, it's questionable for Jane to keep a wild animal as a pet.

Even a quick online search would have told them it was a terrible idea to keep them indoors.

OP's real problem is not with Jane. She needs to be honest with her mom about how her treatment of Jane versus how she raised them makes her feel.

A majority of the concerned Redditors voted that OP was the a**hole. She shouldn't have unleashed years of resentment on her cousin who just wanted to celebrate their grandfather's birthday.

Chelsi