In June 2022, an anonymous woman in her 40s sought advice on the “AITA” subreddit regarding her decision not to attend her daughter’s graduation after the daughter insisted on inviting her estranged father, who issued an ultimatum. The daughter eventually experienced disappointment when her father abandoned her once again on the day of the graduation. The woman shared her internal conflict and sought opinions on whether she was wrong for standing firm on her decision.
In a later update, the woman revealed her daughter’s consistent pattern of choosing her father over the past decade. B, the daughter, held onto an idealized version of her relationship with her father, and despite therapy, continued prioritizing him. The woman expressed her frustration at not being regarded with the same importance as her daughter’s father.
The situation escalated when the daughter cut off contact after heading to college, blaming her mother for the breakdown in her relationship with her father. The woman acknowledged her immaturity in seeking confirmation from her daughter about regretting uninviting her. She also shared a letter from the father accusing the daughter of aggressive and threatening behavior.
The woman, feeling relieved despite the pain, started therapy to address her self-esteem issues. She emphasized the imperfections in her relationship with her daughter and the challenging circumstances they faced. Readers shared various opinions on the matter, with some supporting the woman’s decision and others suggesting alternative approaches. The complexity of family dynamics and the impact of long-standing issues were evident in the diverse responses.