Tolerant Son Reaches Breaking Point After Neglectful Father Redirects His Graduation Money To Fund Stepson's Birthday Party

His dad put him on the back burner since he got remarried and OP finally had enough

Chelsi
Tolerant Son Reaches Breaking Point After Neglectful Father Redirects His Graduation Money To Fund Stepson's Birthday Party

Realizing that your parent favors their other children over you is an incredibly painful pill to swallow. They may say that they don't play favorites, but it's telling when they repeatedly prioritize them over you.

It took a Redditor a lot of years to learn that. He repeatedly forgave his father for letting him down, but his recent graduation party planning fiasco was the last straw.

OP's parents divorced when he was four years old. His dad and mom co-parented well until his dad changed when he met Jane.

Jane had three kids when she started dating OP's dad. They eventually got married when OP was 12 years old.

OP saw his dad prioritize his new stepchildren over him. He repeatedly canceled plans or forced OP to tag along with the activities his stepkids wanted.

He then tried to convince OP that the new activity was much better than what they were originally going to do. OP recalled a time when he was given a concert ticket for an artist he and his dad both loved.

His dad was supposed to buy a ticket to join him for some father/son bonding, but his dad bailed last minute. He also didn't visit OP at the hospital when he broke his arm because one of his stepkids had their tonsils taken out.

He told OP's mom to tell him that he was proud of OP for being brave and understanding. He said it's okay to be jealous when OP brought up the multiple instances he left him hanging.

He also promised to split the cost of a trip OP wanted to go on, but he fumbled again to fund one of his stepkids' birthday party

He also promised to split the cost of a trip OP wanted to go on, but he fumbled again to fund one of his stepkids' birthday partyu/Cheap-Tour9949

OP's mom covered for his dad every single time he dropped the ball

OP's mom covered for his dad every single time he dropped the ballu/Cheap-Tour9949

For OP's graduation, his dad gave him money in advance to have a party to celebrate his milestone

For OP's graduation, his dad gave him money in advance to have a party to celebrate his milestoneu/Cheap-Tour9949

About a month later, he called and said one of his stepkids was having a hard time because of bullying.

About a month later, he called and said one of his stepkids was having a hard time because of bullying.u/Cheap-Tour9949

He said OP's graduation party money could be used to cheer up the stepkid for their birthday

OP was pissed when he showed up at his dad's house. He gave the money back and disinvited him & his family from his graduation ceremony.

He told his dad that he finally knew who is important to him. OP told his dad to stay out of his life and left.

He said OP's graduation party money could be used to cheer up the stepkid for their birthdayu/Cheap-Tour9949

OP's father failed him multiple times and has the audacity to still ask him to ~discuss things like an adult~

OP's father failed him multiple times and has the audacity to still ask him to ~discuss things like an adult~CadenceQuandry

It isn't OP's fault that his biological dad is such a terrible father

It isn't OP's fault that his biological dad is such a terrible fatherIndependent_Big3345

He didn't even take two seconds to think about OP's feelings. It cements the kind of person OP already knows he is.

He didn't even take two seconds to think about OP's feelings. It cements the kind of person OP already knows he is.MrSlackPants

That slip of the tongue says that he doesn't think of OP as a child. Just because OP forgave him for his past mistakes, doesn't mean he needs less from him than his stepkids.

That slip of the tongue says that he doesn't think of OP as a child. Just because OP forgave him for his past mistakes, doesn't mean he needs less from him than his stepkids.Livid-Performance-65

Should he though?

Should he though?Neglectfulgardener

OP said a phone call from his neglectful dad would be too little, too late

OP said a phone call from his neglectful dad would be too little, too lateCheap-Tour9949

He assumed that OP will continue to take his neglect on the chin, but he failed to understand that even the most forgiving people have their limit

He assumed that OP will continue to take his neglect on the chin, but he failed to understand that even the most forgiving people have their limitHoliday-Somewhere-96

OP should remember that he is not at fault for how his adult parent treated him anytime someone tries to guilt him for what happened

OP should remember that he is not at fault for how his adult parent treated him anytime someone tries to guilt him for what happenedkevwelch

I hope OP revisits the idea of going to therapy sooner rather than later

I hope OP revisits the idea of going to therapy sooner rather than laterCheap-Tour9949

A Redditor gave OP an idea how he can communicate with his dad like an adult, just the way he expects him to

A Redditor gave OP an idea how he can communicate with his dad like an adult, just the way he expects him toThe__Riker__Maneuver

This is beautifully phrased and direct to the point

This is beautifully phrased and direct to the pointThe__Riker__Maneuver

It's the kindest way OP can phrase his goodbye to his dad

It's the kindest way OP can phrase his goodbye to his dadThe__Riker__Maneuver

And blocking him is the best way for OP to fully move on from a burden he has been carrying for too long

And blocking him is the best way for OP to fully move on from a burden he has been carrying for too longThe__Riker__Maneuver

He adds no value to OP's like. He is the contrary, he takes from his child unapologetically and expects endless understanding.

He adds no value to OP's like. He is the contrary, he takes from his child unapologetically and expects endless understanding.King1239

Looks like OP made up his made and he is truly done dealing with his dad

Looks like OP made up his made and he is truly done dealing with his dadCheap-Tour9949

OP didn't deserve to be treated this way for so long

OP didn't deserve to be treated this way for so longFeitanLucilferxX

Going no contact with his dad seems to be the right move for OP. He never showed up for him the way that a parent is supposed to show up for their kids.

He repeatedly let him down to support his other children. Anything that was meant for OP was sacrificed, and it's time that he stops taking less than what he deserves.

Chelsi