Grieving Parents Scold Their Teen Daughter For Celebrating Her Birthday A Year After Her Twin's Passing

They didn't even acknowledge what day it was and are now giving her the silent treatment

Chelsi

• Published in Interesting
• May 2, 2023

A post on Reddit quickly captured the attention of users. A 17-year-old teen recently celebrated her birthday, but her parents scolded her because of it.

OP had a twin sister who passed away a year prior. She has been going to therapy to manage her grief, but her parents are not handling their emotions well.

On the day of their birthday, OP decided to skip school for the day. Her parents were understanding and allowed OP to stay home.

However, they did not acknowledge OP's birthday or buy her gifts. OP ended up spending the day in bed until her friends showed up bearing gifts.

They had balloons, cupcakes, and presents to celebrate the twins' birthday, and made OP's day less gloomy. The celebration was underway in the basement when OP's mom yelled at her to go upstairs.

Her mom asked her to explain what was happening, so OP did. Her mom was in disbelief that OP would celebrate their birthday without her sister.

OP replied that it was her birthday too and that she missed her sister. She explained that the day was just as hard for her and them acting like their birthday doesn't happen anymore was hurtful.

She told her mom that they should still acknowledge their birthday since she was still alive. It was one of the ways they could show that they support her.

Her mom got even more upset and accused OP of being selfish

OP has been given the silent treatment since

The teenager doesn't know what she did wrong because she knows how tough it was to celebrate their birthday without her twin, but at the same time she can't pretend that it was a regular day

OP is also confused why her parents put her through therapy but won't do the same for themselves

She can try to explain her feelings to her parents through a letter when things are calmer at home, but showing the Reddit post could be a great starting point as well

A person who understands what OP is going through gave her a sage advice that can help OP handle their future birthdays

OP said her intent was to honor her sister's memory when she celebrated their birthday which, I think, is evident

Nobody is dismissing how difficult it must be for their parents to lose a child

However, they shouldn't act like OP is just a shadow of her late twin. She is their child as well who needs their support & love now more than ever.

OP has been harboring her resentment for some time because her parents are disregarding her own gried because they are too clouded by their own emotions

They need professional help, quick

OP knows it in her heart that her sister would have wanted her to have a good day. She shouldn't be punished for that.

If they continue ignoring OP's pain, they will lose their shot at having a relationship with her

OP's parents shouldn't go down this same path as it only ends in regret

OP has been doing great when it comes to understanding her parents' side of things. It's time for them to carry their part of the deal and work through this as a family before the distance becomes insurmountable

There are no words to encapsulate grief like this. Their whole family is still in mourning and that is understandable.

However, they have another teenage daughter who needs their time and attention. OP's parents need to wake up and realize that she is still there before their grief consumes them & breaks their bond.

Chelsi