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Teen Spites Dad And Sister Who Planned To Skip Her Graduation By Giving Away Their Tickets
Most parents understand how important it is to show up for their kids and cheer them on at events. People feel like they have to make grand gestures to win a kid’s heart, but sometimes, the act of being there is more than enough.
A teen who was about to see all her hard work and effort pay off was excited to have her mom, dad, and sister be at her valedictorian speech. But she soon realized that her dad and sister had made other plans despite knowing how important this moment was to her.
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18YO who was chosen as the valedictorian of her class was dismayed when her dad and sister decided to skip the event despite knowing about it well in advance
Image credits: George Pak (not the actual photo)
The poster was selected to be the class valedictorian and was going to give a speech, so she picked up tickets for it in advance for her family to attend
Image credits: cottonbro studio (not the actual photo)
She was angry when her dad and sister said they couldn’t attend because they had other plans even though she told them that family pictures would be taken before the ceremony
Image credits: Vitaly Gariev (not the actual photo)
Out of spite, she decided to give the tickets away to a classmate who needed them, but when her dad found out, he was angry and told her that she was “acting like a spoiled brat”
Image credits: bluekoreaboo (not the actual photo)
In an update post, she mentioned that even though it was just her mom who attended the event, it all went well and that they took “probably a hundred photos together”
Image credits: Pixabay (not the actual photo)
The poster gave her speech in front of families of 100+ students and received certificates of excellence in Psychology and IT
Image credits: No_Cut207
The teen shared that she had a lot of fun with her mom and was only a bit disappointed that her whole family wasn’t present at the event
The Original Poster (OP) is an 18-year-old girl who was selected from her high school class to be the valedictorian. She was chosen because of her superb grades and had to give a speech on the day of her graduation. The girl told commenters she was living in the Middle East and mentioned that “I’m giving the speech in English and Arabic.”
People were supposed to buy tickets for the graduation ceremony so that their families could attend. So the poster reserved tickets in advance. But when she told her family about it, her father and sister said they could not be there for the ceremony. They said they could try coming for the after-party instead. But the girl was shocked and told them that pictures of the graduates with their families would be taken two hours before the ceremony. But they still didn’t budge.
The teen mentioned that she got mad and started yelling at her dad and sister. Being a valedictorian is no small feat. To earn the title, students have to consistently maintain outstanding grades, have a good work ethic, and deeply understand the subjects they are studying. After such a lot of effort and dedication, it must have been heartbreaking to realize that her full family would not be making the effort to see her give her speech.
The girl also told commenters that “the graduation date was announced around February, and from what I’ve heard from my dad and sister I think they started planning her trip with her friends around last week.” Despite knowing about the ceremony for a long time, her family still decided to skip out on it. So she decided to give her tickets away to another classmate who wanted them.
Image credits: RDNE Stock project (not the actual photo)
When her dad questioned her about her graduation, she told him that only her mom would attend and that she gave the other tickets away. She also said that they shouldn’t bother with the after-party. But when her father heard that, he got angry with his daughter. He told her that she was acting spoiled and that she wouldn’t “die if he and my sister [were] a bit late to my graduation.”
According to The Mommy Therapist, “one of the most crucial parts of a parent’s job is to ‘be there.’ No matter the work/life balance, there are still ways to be a prevalent fixture in a child’s life. Being present will communicate some very specific ideas. Tells them they are important, a priority, valued.” This is exactly what OP was looking for by requesting that her family come for her graduation ceremony. But she only received that attention and care from her mom.
In an update post, the girl mentioned that her mother showed up for her valedictorian speech and that they took many pictures together. Even her mom’s attendance at the event meant a lot to her, and she said that it was better to have fun alone with her mom than for the rest of the family to tag along. That’s why parenting experts say that showing up for your kids matters and makes them feel important.
Her dad and sister dropped the ball this time and made the OP feel like her accomplishment wasn’t of any importance. It’s essential for families to set time aside for their children and to just be present when they are doing something. Netizens were disappointed by the dad and sister’s choice and encouraged the OP to still be proud of her amazing achievements. Do you think the teen was right to give her tickets away so fast? What would you have done if you were in her place?
Comments told the poster that this was an important lesson to learn, that her family showed her exactly who they were and she should treat them accordingly
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What do you think ?
Zoe Vokes 7 months ago
Either OP’s sister can’t stand not being the centre of attention so she is doing her best to make the day all about her. Or she is less academically gifted than OP and is jealous of her sister, can’t stand seeing her succeed and purposely had plans to avoid seeing her sister graduate.
Royal Stray 7 months ago
Sister being only 2 years younger absolutely sounds more like baby of the family than being jealous and planning for the sake of ruining her older sister's graduation.
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Sunny Day 7 months ago
Ahhh .. memories. I also was valedictorian of my HS class. My parents and my grandma attended, and my mom was thrilled they had seats up front and center (my older brother's best friend had a brother in my class, and their parents had saved seats so my parents could sit with them again - but my mom got to brag about their better seats.) I gave my speech, got through the ceremony, & went looking for my parents. Everyone was taking pictures, and planning to meet up later, but my parents were nowhere around. I finally went home - they'd left in the middle of the graduation. Heard my speech, saw me get my diploma, then left their front-row center seats to go home & watch TV. Can you just feel the love?
April Dancer 7 months ago
That is just....beyond words. Favourite tv programme on, was it? Congratulations to you. I'm sorry your family decided to mar your big day by thinking only of themselves.
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RSM 7 months ago
I am a Father of a wonderful daughter. When i read this i had tears dripping down because i couldnt believe how callous he was to you. Whether my daughter was Valedictorian or a non- designated Graduate, I would never have missed it. I'm sorry your Dad did not support you. At least your Mom did the right thing. I hope you can put this behind you & move forward.
Zoe Vokes 7 months ago
Either OP’s sister can’t stand not being the centre of attention so she is doing her best to make the day all about her. Or she is less academically gifted than OP and is jealous of her sister, can’t stand seeing her succeed and purposely had plans to avoid seeing her sister graduate.
Royal Stray 7 months ago
Sister being only 2 years younger absolutely sounds more like baby of the family than being jealous and planning for the sake of ruining her older sister's graduation.
Load More Replies... Sunny Day 7 months ago
Ahhh .. memories. I also was valedictorian of my HS class. My parents and my grandma attended, and my mom was thrilled they had seats up front and center (my older brother's best friend had a brother in my class, and their parents had saved seats so my parents could sit with them again - but my mom got to brag about their better seats.) I gave my speech, got through the ceremony, & went looking for my parents. Everyone was taking pictures, and planning to meet up later, but my parents were nowhere around. I finally went home - they'd left in the middle of the graduation. Heard my speech, saw me get my diploma, then left their front-row center seats to go home & watch TV. Can you just feel the love?
April Dancer 7 months ago
That is just....beyond words. Favourite tv programme on, was it? Congratulations to you. I'm sorry your family decided to mar your big day by thinking only of themselves.
Load More Replies... RSM 7 months ago
I am a Father of a wonderful daughter. When i read this i had tears dripping down because i couldnt believe how callous he was to you. Whether my daughter was Valedictorian or a non- designated Graduate, I would never have missed it. I'm sorry your Dad did not support you. At least your Mom did the right thing. I hope you can put this behind you & move forward.
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