When it comes to parenting, does anyone really have a clue what they're doing?
As long as your kid is happy, healthy and provided for, everything else is up for interpretation, right?
Sometimes you get it right and sometimes you get it wrong - as one mum has just become painfully aware of.
Taking to the Am I The A**hole forum on Reddit, this mum shared her story about a situation she recently had with her 13-year-old daughter over a birthday present, and it's really divided users.
Advert
.jpg)
"My daughter turned 13 yesterday. I made sure to ask her what she wants for her birthday a few months in advance.
"She gave me a list. Great. I explained she won't be getting everything from the list as it was big and some things were expensive. She understood." the poster explained.
I think we can all see where this is going, can't we.
Advert
She continued: "About a week after we had that conversation, she tells me she wants tickets to a show for her birthday. Going to the show would also mean traveling a little out of the city. Neither are cheap. So I told her that would be the only gift she would get and would also replace a party. She said that's what she wants and I triple checked before I booked tickets.
"A couple of weeks ago, would you believe, she tells me she changed her mind again. She wants clothes instead of the show. I told her I already booked everything so there's absolutely no way. She got into a strop about it and said she isn't going. I told her fine I'll take someone else, fully expecting her to later apologize and say she is coming."
The mum went on to explain how she waited for an apology from her daughter that never came, and when her birthday came around, she may have gotten presents from everyone else but there were none from her mum.
Advert
Ouch.
The mum wanted to know whether she had done the right thing or not, and people were quick to weigh in.
One person said: "You are NTA. You are raising a human that knows that actions have consequences, GOOD FOR YOU, truly.
"Grandparents are going to say 'boohoo"'because that is their job, but your job is to raise a good human and it sounds like you are on your way."
Advert
However, not everyone was in agreement as it's said the poster actually cancelled the trip because of her daughter's poor attitude. So, not only did she not get any presents, but she didn't get the trip either.
Yikes.
One person pointed out: "Given that OP sold the tickets and canceled the trip, I'm also leaning this way.
Advert
"Like it would of been one thing if OP still took her on the trip and had no gifts, or did something else to celebrate but the whole nothing is making it seem real sus."
Another added: "Hold up. She sold the tickets?! So her daughter had no opportunity to go in the end? That’s awful."
And a final resolved: "I think it’s fine to be consistent and not buy another present. But it also sounds like she didn’t make her feel loved in other ways on her birthday. So the daughter won’t remember the “lesson”, she’ll remember her Mom’s love is conditional."
What do you think?
Saskia Calliste