Oh, darling readers, buckle up because today we’re diving into a tale that’s juicier than the prime-time soap opera you pretend not to be addicted to. This story comes straight from the heart of Reddit – yes, that labyrinth of human experiences – and it features a family drama that’s as tangled as your headphones when you need them the most. We’re talking about a real Reddit story from a real person, so you know it’s going to be a good one.
Imagine, if you will, a 41-year-old man caught in the emotional crossfire between his biological daughter and his soon-to-be daughter-in-law, Abbie. Abbie, bless her heart, is as pushy as a Black Friday shopper with a hint of desperation you typically reserve for finding a last-minute date to your ex’s wedding. She’s been trying to knit herself into the fabric of a family that seems more closed-off than a clam with a secret. She’s calling the sister ‘sis’ and the mother-in-law ‘mom’ faster than a scammer saying ‘I love you’ on the second message.
But wait, it gets better. Our protagonist, let’s call him ‘Dad of the Year,’ finds himself dodging emotional grenades. Abbie wants the full daughter treatment – walks down the aisle, father/daughter dances, and presumably, the rights to his vintage stamp collection. Meanwhile, ‘Dad of the Year’ is navigating this minefield with a cane and a hefty dose of realism, making this whole scenario a perfect storm of awkward family dynamics.
Now, before you start thinking, “Roger, darling, surely there’s a way to make everyone happy?” let me remind you: This is the real world, not an episode of ‘Full House.’ Our dear Reddit user is like a man who’s been asked to juggle flaming torches while on a unicycle. It’s not a question of if someone gets burned, but when.
So, here’s where I, your guide through the quagmire of human folly, offer you Roger’s Hot Take™: Familial relationships aren’t a one-size-fits-all sweater you knit out of obligation. They’re more like a delicate lace of genuine connections, awkward moments, and sometimes, uncomfortable truths. Our Reddit friend doesn’t deserve the ‘Antagonist’ badge for setting boundaries. In the real world, love can’t be extorted or guilt-tripped. It’s about as genuine as a three-dollar bill when forced.
Is he the asshole for not wanting to walk Abbie down the aisle or lie in a speech? Absolutely not. This isn’t a tale of villainy; it’s a Shakespearean drama where everyone’s trying to play their part, but the scripts are from different plays. The real takeaway? Communication, boundaries, and understanding are key, but so is accepting that not everyone can get exactly what they want – especially if it involves emotional cartwheels through hoops of fire.
So, to our dear, beleaguered father figure, I say: Stand firm in your truth, but keep the door open to new traditions that don’t trample on your comfort. As for Abbie, someone needs to tell her that relationships, like fine wine, can’t be rushed. They need time to breathe. And that, my fabulous readers, is the sassiest, wisest take I can offer.
Until next time, remember: Drama is best served on screen, not in your living room. Ta-ta!
Original story
I (41M) have two kids with my ex wife, (42F) a son John(22) and daughter Sally (20), I’m remarried to my wife (28). I’m very close with my kids, my son is engaged to Abbie, she seems nice but has been a bit pushy trying to create relationships with me and my wife, though she’s also awkward with her. Abbie isn’t close to her family, she told us many stories why and while some of her complaints don’t seem awful, it’s not my place to judge and I didn’t live it so I can’t know anyway.
We’ve tried to be welcoming but Abbie has forced her way into some family traditions where she wouldn’t have been invited, and some where no one outside of specific family would have. She has been calling Sally “sis” since they were only dating a few months, has an odd sister/mother-in-law thing she does with my wife, and the one I’m not a fan of, wants me to be like father to her. Not because we’ve clicked or anything. We are very different people, not saying that in a bad way, just saying it’s not based on how we get along or anything.
My kids and I have a tradition when they come over that we have a private catch-up in my office/study before they leave, which is now even more important to them because while they both get along well with my wife they don’t want to have personal conversations around her yet. Abbie asked if we could talk, and after I explained the tradition John later asked that I do it, saying she’d never had a caring conversation with her dad. We compromised that I didn’t include her in the tradition but do join the two of them for coffee and let her talk. Then she started calling me dad, they werent even engaged yet, John pulled me aside and begged me to give her that, laid this whole thing on me about me always being the dad she always wanted right in front of her and she just wanted that, told me she cried watching me and Sally together (she still gives me random hugs, I’m a lucky dad). I didn’t like it but I do feel bad so fine I gave her that. She wants me to walk her down the aisle and the father/daughter dance. I don’t want to walk her down, and I walk with a cane so dancing is hard. At my own wedding I only danced twice. John is begging for me to do one, preferably the aisle.
They came over Sunday, John and I were talking, I thought to address it, when Ab walked in without knocking, asking if he’d told me yet. I asked what, John said she wanted me to say something about having a second daughter now in my speech and how I loved her. I just looked at him. She asked if I’d do the walk and dance for Sally, I said of course. She yelled she’s my daughter too and I said it will never be the same, Sally is my actual daughter. I tried to explain I’d talk about her being a happy addition to the family and I love how happy she makes Jack, which i thought was a good compromise, but she started crying. John apologized and they left, but he called me when they were home nearly begging me to. AITA because I won’t lie and say I love her or she’s my daughter.