Daughter Gets Called Disrespectful By Mom For Saying "My" Dad

"She told me she sent an email to my therapist to speak about this with me as I was clearly going through something and needed help."

Sophia

• Published in Interesting
• August 7, 2023

Being a child of two people who have already parted ways can be an emotionally daunting journey. As the innocent bystanders caught in the crossfire of a broken relationship, these children often find themselves treading carefully on the fragile ground of their parents' emotions.

The constant fear of upsetting either one of them engulfs them like walking on eggshells, fostering an atmosphere of tension and unease. Years and years of going through this can definitely be emotionally taxing, and when you do hurt their feelings unintentionally by bringing up your other parent, it always seems never to end well.

Caught in the whirlwind of their parents' unresolved emotions, these children are burdened with a unique form of stress and anxiety. They yearn for stability, yet their lives are subject to the unpredictable dynamics between their estranged parents.

Feelings of guilt and responsibility may consume them as they inadvertently become the emotional mediator between two warring parties. But let's face it, there's a line somewhere in there where you also have to put boundaries as their child, right?

Just take a look at this particular Reddit post—OP, a 29-year-old woman, got called out by her own mother for calling her literal biological father "my dad." Read on...

During a visit to her apartment, OP, a 29-year-old woman referred to her father as 'my dad' while wrapping a gift, leading to a heated argument with her 60-year-old mother who felt this choice of words was disrespectful and exclusionary.

The mother told OP that she sent an email to her therapist to speak about it since she was "clearly going through something."

OP apologized, but asked her mother not to weaponize her therapist.

Here's a little background why her mother felt that way:

Here's what people have to say:

The way she addresses her dad is her choice.

Irrespective of her parents' history, she has the right to refer to her dad however she sees fit.

It's quite a stretch for her mother to involve her therapist in what seems like an overreaction.

The situation is blown out of proportion!

Mom's "my dad" dilemma is a head-scratcher.

The fact that her mom is contacting her therapist at 29 is quite the eyebrow-raiser.

Absolutely valid confusion here.

Spot on—either her mom's allergic to 'dad' or 'my' is the ultimate drama trigger.

It's actually not uncommon...

The situation calls for a straightforward question: "What else could she say?"

Confidentiality, anyone?

Something's off with this backstage access.

It's quite natural to do that...

Absolutely right—whether it's "my" or "mi," it's all about what feels natural to her.

Her mom's feelings are valid, but she's still her father.

It's like her mom's starring in the "Me, Myself, and I" show, and she's expecting everyone to buy tickets.

Boundaries, anyone?

The logic checks out—dad's still dad.

Can't argue with logic!

Oh, for the love of common sense. Whether it's "Dad," "Bruce," or "The Old Man," it's her choice.

It's not like there's a secret menu of alternative dad names to choose from.

OP's mom's reaction is definitely puzzling.

Her mom might need more therapy, considering her strong reaction.

It's a normal way of speaking, so the confusion is valid.

Oopsies.

Different strokes for different folks.

Pass the popcorn, please!

Oh, the irony—the one who needs a therapy session might not be the person she's thinking of.

No matter what happens in life, someone's parent will always be a parent—no matter who hard anyone tries to erase that fact. We're also weirded out by the fact that the mother had to call OP's therapist, though—honestly, what was wrong with what she said, anyway?

But how about you? What do you think of this situation?

Comment down your thoughts, or share this article for all you family and friends to see!

Sophia