Redditor Gets Angry And Leaves Cousins' Birthday Party Because Her Parents Won't Stop Treating Her Like A Child

"I didn't even make a scene. But everyone's still mad at me"

Maryjane

• Published in Interesting
• November 20, 2022

Almost everyone experiences it. We mature, take on adult duties, and are recognized by our peers as adults.

However, every time we visit home—for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or summer break—our parents still treat us like the little kids we once were. No matter how old we get, it seems as though we will always be children to our parents.

Even if you are an adult, your parents might still be concerned that you aren't eating right, aren't dressing warmly enough in the winter, aren't hanging out with the right people, or aren't pursuing your dreams. You may naturally react to these concerns as the child of your parents with the same frustration and defensiveness you felt as a young child attempting to establish your independence.

The OP in today's AITA story has a family that is loud, obnoxious, and extremely controlling. The OP's cousins had their birthdays on the same day, and her aunt threw a huge party for them.

The OP initially didn't want to attend because every time she attended an event with her family, they embarrassed the hell out of her. In her own words:

"They treat me like a child or something or other that makes me, a grown ass 20-year-old, want to bawl my eyes out because of how out of control I feel."

Her parents managed to coerce the OP into attending, promising that they would leave her alone, but the reverse was the case. Keep scrolling to read the whole story in full.

The Title...

Unfortunately, all of us live in the same locality

They always end up forcing the OP to dance or click pictures with them

The OP's parents kind of pushed her to attend the birthday celebration

They all told her that she over reacted and ruined the mood for everyone

Here are a bunch of comments from Redditors as they clearly had a lot to say in response to the Reddit thread.

This Redditor advices the OP to reach out to Google

Relocating out of the area

It isn't a healthy environment if...

This Redditor advices the OP not to go next time

Another Redditor who's advising the OP to quit going to such parties

A relationship between a teenager and a parent

Putting a bit of space between you and them

They should thank you for handling things with more maturity

Love them with thousands of miles between us

You can have a nice time without dancing and getting tattoos

They have to stick to your rules if they want to be around you

She's trying to mess with your ability to choose

Try to understand where they are coming from

You are lingering rather than fleeing

She's trying to tell an adult when to eat

You are not giving into their unrealistic expectations anymore

This Redditor is dishing out content to include in the letter

Your family is awful, according to this Redditor

Talk to them outside of party settings

Having a serious talk with them

You may want to respond in a defensive way if you feel that family members are treating you like a child, especially a child you once were but are no longer. Remain composed, take a step back, and consider how they are making you feel.

Then make the decision to act in a way that won't support their perception of you as a dependent child.

Maryjane