I am a 18 year old woman. I took my mom, who is 48, out to dinner last week for her birthday. I booked a table at her favorite restaurant, paid for the meal, brought her flowers, and bought her a necklace that I genuinely thought she would love.
She opened it at the table and immediately asked, “Is this really the best you could do?”
She said it loud enough that the couple next to us looked over.
I was embarrassed but tried to stay calm. I told her I chose it because it reminded me of something she used to wear. She kept going and said I never think things through and that she raised me better than to give “cheap gifts.”
The necklace was not cheap. It cost 130 dollars which is a lot for me. I told her quietly that my feelings were hurt and that we could talk about it later.
She replied, “Stop being dramatic. You always make everything about you.”
Again, she said this loud enough for people to hear. I felt myself starting to tear up. I really hate crying in public, so I got up, told her I would pay the bill, and went home.
Later she texted me and said I ruined her birthday. She said I stormed out for no reason and that I owe her an apology for “disrespecting her.”
My siblings are split. Half say she was completely out of line and that I did the right thing by leaving. The other half say that is “just how Mom is” and I should have stayed so she did not end up sitting alone.
I honestly did not want to start a scene. I just did not want to cry in a restaurant.
AITA for leaving?
Nta and your mom sucks. I’d appreciate a gift my child got me from a thrift shop.
I wish you were my mom.
NTA. She was ungrateful, no point staying in the restaurant whilst she makes a scene.
NTA
As a mum, I say she deserves to have sat alone. You’re a great daughter, and a better human.
This makes me feel a lot better, thank you kind stranger.
>My siblings are split. Half say she was completely out of line and that I did the right thing by leaving. The other half say that is “just how Mom is” and I should have stayed so she did not end up sitting alone.
They all think your mom is an asshole. They’re just split on how much they tolerate it.
Tbh you’ve done more for your mom’s birthday than I ever did for mine at age 18.
NTA
Thank you
NTA Your mom sounds like a jerk.
NTA
And if your siblings like being treated like dirt, that’s their choice.
You have the right to be treated with respect, and your mother ended up alone because of her own actions.
It’s up to you to decide whether you want to apologize. It depends on whether she still has some financial power over you, but honestly, don’t apologize, otherwise she’ll see it as validation of her attitude.
NTA. Leaving wasn’t disrespectful, staying there would’ve been disrespectful to yourself*.* You planned, paid and hosted her birthday dinner and she still publicly humiliated you? She ruined her own birthday by acting like a small kid, she should be the one apologizing
NTA – tell her if she dislikes the gift she can give it back and you’ll return it. Your siblings’ opinions don’t matter, you did what was right for you in the moment. Good on you!
NTA. $130 is a huge amount for an 18-year-old. She disrespected and you deserve an apology from her. “Just how Mom is” is not a valid excuse for treating you like garbage. This is how parents have been emotionally bullying their kids for decades.
Fucking AI. Again! C’mon Mods.
I don’t usually see the OP commenting in the AI posts but I still don’t believe them. The entire structure is AI, even before it got to the “my siblings are split” part.
OP you’re going to have to get a lot more clever if you want to post fake stories.