Throwaway account because I’m pretty sure some of mt family scroll on reddit.
I (15f) really like baking and cooking food. Most of the time im making everyone little treats to try or im cooking dinner for my family from our background and it’s sort of one of mt love languages, often I’ll bring food to family events because my aunts and uncles are busy all the time and have little time to make food before they host parties and stuff and because im not working yet i have more time to make all this fun stuff.
So on Christmas we typically open presents at home then all have lunch and /or dinner at someone’s house. But this year my mum said we wouldn’t all be together. was a bit upset but was like alright, that’s fine with me. then my aunt calls me and asks me if I’ve thought of what food im making for christmas night. I asked what she meant and she told me she’s having a party and mt mum promised I’d make food for everyone. I didn’t really have a problem with that, as I said I love cooking and it was early notice. So I was just like “oh I’ll get ready at this time, and then I’ll have time to make the food”. She asked why I’d be getting ready.
She said it’s an “adult” party, but then I asked for more info and she mentioned cousins my age were going. So I was kind of upset and asked why I was the only one not going. She said my mum thinks I just not mature enough for a late party. I told her it honestly just sounded like an excuse. then I hung up. I went to my mum and she didn’t see a problem with me not going, but I told her there’s no way im putting effort into that if I’m being excluded. I started crying atp and it made my mum angry and she said i was being selfish and acting like a child.
I kept pressing for a proper reason but my mum kept saying “i dont want you going and im your mother so thats that”. My tone was very rude by this point because I was on the verge of tears and my mum said if I don’t make the food they’ll have to order food and I’ll inconviecne everyone. I said “then order it.” and ended the convo. I called my dad and hes saying he’ll come down to where I live and we can drive up to his for christmas so I can be with family that wants me there. So even if I wanted to help now I will be two hour drive away.
But basically they have no food plans for the party now. I suggested local chicken shops that do delivery, or even buying frozen food from the shops, but they’re saying they don’t wanna do that. While they didn’t want me there, I know everyone was counting on me for food and now from their persepctive im saying no and being selfish because I wanted to spend Christmas with dad. and im usually one to try see both sides but this is really difficult, cus ofc im biased and my feelings are hurt so outside persepctive would be nice. Thank u for any feedback 🙂 p.s sorry if this is confusing pls feel free to ask like extra things I didn’t mention im incredibly tired rn and may have left some details out.
NTA If they think that you’re such a child, why are they treating you like a caterer?
A caterer gets paid for their efforts
NTA. You are old enough to cook for the party, but not old enough to actually go to the party? That’s not how it works. Who does your family think you are, Cinderella?
Exactly. You’re old enough and mature enough to safely cook all the food for the party but yet you’re too young to go to the party? Nah.
If they want food, they still have time to figure it out. Stop figuring it out for them, stop offering ideas to them.
I’m sorry your family is treating you so badly
NTA
Your mom voluntold your cooking – that is NOT ok. And is really disrespectful of you.
Nobody gets to make that choice on your behalf.
So your mom is ok with you being home by yourself on Christmas? You are definitely NTA. They are all adults and can figure out how to feed themselves. Do not feel guilty at all! Enjoy the time you get with your Dad and his side of the family.
NTA. They wanted your free services to create a full meal for a group of people and you’re not invited?! Insanely rude. Go enjoy christmas with people who do appreciate/love you. They can figure out food for themselves for treating you so shit and taking you for granted. You deserve so much better than this.
Never forget your worth. You’re so young and you deserve so much better than to be treated like this. Trust your gut on this, you did good. They might try to blame/shame you and that will hurt a lot but they are the ones showing crazy behavior. Take care!
NTA. not to invite you to the party, but to expect you to cook in the same instance is very rude. They didn’t offer to pay you, either, I think you would have mentioned it?
They had a rude request while excluding you from a family gathering, now they can figure things out themselves while you spend time with people who want you there.
Oh my god you are so NTA
My kid is a year older than you and I would never volunteer them to prepare for a party they weren’t invited to nor would I have them be the only one their age excluded
You’re right they have only given you excuses. You don’t deserve that
NTA. If you’re not “mature enough” to attend, then certainly you’re not “mature enough” to make the food. Honestly, I think it’s absolute bullshit that they would expect you to make food (unpaid I’m sure) for an event that you’re prohibited from attending.
You were asked if you would work a kitchen shift over Chris and you said “No” – end of story.
Enjoy Christmas with your Dad
NTA
NTA. Let the “adults” figure it out. Enjoy Christmas with your dad.
NTA. I also had a mother who volunteered me for stuff without telling me. It’s frustrating.
The way I got her to stop was to calmly tell her that from now on, if she asked me, I would consider it, and probably do the thing as long as it was feasible, but if she volunteered me for something without asking, it would always be a no, even if it was something I wanted to do. I stuck to that, and when she said things like ‘I didn’t think you’d mind’, I reminded her about my clearly stated boundary, and if she had asked instead of told, I would indeed have done it.
She fairly quickly switched to telling people ‘I’ll check with Suzi and let you know’ instead of ‘oh, Suzi can do that’.
That is their problem to figure out, not yours.
I’m proud of you for saying, “Then order it,” and standing up for yourself!
I hope you have a lovely Christmas surrounded by people who love you unconditionally, no matter your age or hobbies, and expect nothing except your presence. xx