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“Am I The [Jerk] For Kicking My Parents Out And Saying ‘This Is Why I Was So [Messed] Up As A Kid’?”
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You know how some parents are just absolute pros at embarrassing you at the worst possible moment? Now, multiply that a few times, but instead of a cringe-worthy baby photo at a family reunion, they’re tearing apart your ten-year-old’s piano recital like they’re Simon Cowell copycats. Not exactly the kind of love and support you’d expect from grandparents, is it?
This Redditor has been dealing with his folks’ toxic parenting his entire life but, when it comes to his kid, he’s not willing to take it without a fight.
More info: Reddit
RELATED:
Dealing with toxic parents is hard enough, but when their behavior affects your child, it’s a whole new battle
![“Am I The [Jerk] For Kicking My Parents Out And Saying ‘This Is Why I Was So [Messed] Up As A Kid’?”](https://www.boredpanda.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/parent-daughter-piano-bullying-4.jpg "“Am I The [Jerk] For Kicking My Parents Out And Saying ‘This Is Why I Was So [Messed] Up As A Kid’?”")
Image credits: Josh Willink / Pexels (not the actual photo)
One dad found himself in this exact situation when his parents mocked his 10-year-old daughter’s piano recital during a family dinner
![“Am I The [Jerk] For Kicking My Parents Out And Saying ‘This Is Why I Was So [Messed] Up As A Kid’?”](https://www.boredpanda.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/author_1b7ebb2f3b7fcf3170b142b1dc537cea__censored.jpg "“Am I The [Jerk] For Kicking My Parents Out And Saying ‘This Is Why I Was So [Messed] Up As A Kid’?”")
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Image credits: Pavel Danilyuk / Pexels (not the actual photo)
The grandparents laughed out loud at their granddaughter’s performance, cruelly comparing it to a dog playing the piano, leaving the young girl heartbroken
![“Am I The [Jerk] For Kicking My Parents Out And Saying ‘This Is Why I Was So [Messed] Up As A Kid’?”](https://www.boredpanda.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/author_6242ae10d7b8fb0a9447a0a4276d3e57.jpg "“Am I The [Jerk] For Kicking My Parents Out And Saying ‘This Is Why I Was So [Messed] Up As A Kid’?”")
![“Am I The [Jerk] For Kicking My Parents Out And Saying ‘This Is Why I Was So [Messed] Up As A Kid’?”](https://www.boredpanda.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/author_f19805e394c6d8ac7438c69279bbaac9.jpg "“Am I The [Jerk] For Kicking My Parents Out And Saying ‘This Is Why I Was So [Messed] Up As A Kid’?”")
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Image credits: freepik / Freepik (not the actual photo)
His golden child sister quickly jumped in, defending the parents, accusing her brother of being a “nasty piece of work” for lashing out at them
![“Am I The [Jerk] For Kicking My Parents Out And Saying ‘This Is Why I Was So [Messed] Up As A Kid’?”](https://www.boredpanda.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/2a.jpg "“Am I The [Jerk] For Kicking My Parents Out And Saying ‘This Is Why I Was So [Messed] Up As A Kid’?”")
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Image credits: throwaway-throwout
The furious dad instantly kicked his parents out after they mocked his daughter’s piano skills, reminding them that their toxic behavior messed him up as a child
The story kicks off with a simple family dinner that quickly took a sharp left turn into “What just happened?” territory. Our dad invited his parents over for a family meal, and after dinner, his daughter, who has been taking keyboard lessons, decided to showcase her skills with a song. Sweet, right? Little did this kid know, she was about to face the grandparents from hell.
Just imagine this 10-year-old with a giant smile on her face, finishing her song, probably proud as can be. Dad claps, because duh, she’s his little rock star! But then, grandma and grandpa burst out into a full-on belly laugh like they were watching a comedy special, not a piano recital. It wasn’t a chuckle. No, no. They went in hard. We’re talking “a dog could’ve played that better” type of cruelty. Seriously, who raised these people?
Can you imagine being a kid in that moment? You’ve just poured your heart out playing a song that you’ve only had two lessons for, and instead of support, you get slammed harder than a piñata at a kid’s birthday party. The little girl was crushed, probably wishing the floor would open up and swallow her whole.
Our dad suddenly transformed into every kid’s dream: a protective, no-nonsense hero who wasn’t about to let his kid suffer the same way he did growing up. After watching his parents rip his daughter apart, he was done. Cups in hand, he sent them packing with a one-way ticket straight to “get your stuff and get out of my house right now.”
The grandparents tried to protest, saying they hadn’t even finished their drinks yet. Well, we each have our own priorities. But dad? He wasn’t there for the excuses. He snapped, telling them that their toxic behavior was why he was so messed up as a kid. Mic drop.
And just when you thought it couldn’t get worse, grandma, who likely graduated from the School of Zero Accountability, had the audacity to claim that they were just preparing the kid for the real world. Ah yes, the old “we’re making her tough” excuse. Because, as we all know, the world definitely needs more cruelty disguised as parenting.
![“Am I The [Jerk] For Kicking My Parents Out And Saying ‘This Is Why I Was So [Messed] Up As A Kid’?”](https://www.boredpanda.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/parent-daughter-piano-bullying-2.jpg "“Am I The [Jerk] For Kicking My Parents Out And Saying ‘This Is Why I Was So [Messed] Up As A Kid’?”")
Image credits: RDNE Stock project / Pexels (not the actual photo)
While the parents left, the drama didn’t. Oh no, this family is nothing if not committed to keeping things toxic. Here’s where the golden child sister comes in. The one who never misses an opportunity to brown-nose and stir the pot. She called our dad, telling her parents’ version of the story, and called him a “nasty piece of work” for defending his daughter. Sure, sis, why not throw some gas on the fire while you’re at it?
Dad, unfazed by her insults, told her exactly where to shove it and hung up. Because, really, who has time for that nonsense when you’re busy being the dad of the year? Sometimes protecting your kid means unleashing a little fury, especially when the emotional scars you grew up with are right in front of your eyes.
Dealing with toxic parents can be very challenging, especially for kids, and the effects can run deep, impacting their self-worth, emotional well-being, and even future relationships. Growing up with constant jabs and criticism can mess with your head, making you doubt yourself and feel like you’re always falling short. And it doesn’t just vanish once you’re an adult.
But here’s the good news: you don’t have to put up with it forever. You can break the toxic pattern of emotional neglect and vow to protect your own children from it. Sometimes, setting firm boundaries, like kicking your parents out before dessert, is the only way to protect your sanity and show your kid what real love and support look like. And that’s exactly what our hero dad did for his kid.
He is planning on having a heart-to-heart with his daughter to make sure she’s okay. Because that’s what good parents do—they show up, protect, and teach their kids that they are worthy of love and respect, no matter what.
Meanwhile, the parents and golden child sister? Well, they can stew in their own drama. Our super-dad is too busy building a healthier, happier environment for his kid. And we’re all here for it.
What do you think of this story? Is the dad a jerk for kicking his parents out after they mocked his daughter or did he react as any normal parent would have? Drop your thoughts in the comments.
People in the comments say the dad is not a jerk for going off at his parents and throwing them out, as he is just the hero every kid needs
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What do you think ?
TribbleThinking 3 months ago
Well done, OP. You had to put up with those bullies all your life, but when they tried it on your daughter, you stopped it there and then. A+. That was your graduation. Congratulations, sincerely.
Vinnie 3 months ago (edited)
WTF - this ain't America's Got Talent or Julliard. Who cares if the little girl isn't a concert pianist? One mother of a not-so-great violin player expected her daughter to play a little, appreciate music and understand the work that goes into it. As it turned out, the daughter is brilliant in other areas - the other day I joked, ''She's doing a PhD in clinical psychology - wasn't she in high school four years ago???"
Ms.GB 3 months ago (edited)
I would have loved to see him make them try to play a song...u said a dog could do better right!? Or maybe you're afraid that a 10 year old girl is a better musician that the two of you combined...yeah, I laugh when I'm embarrassed of myself too.
Load More Replies...
Stephanie Did It 3 months ago
My mother abandoned me at the age of 2, and I was adopted by family members. When my own DD was 5 I had another baby and started a search for my own mother. I found her and a couple of visits ensued. On one visit, my now 6 yr old DD proudly brought her schoolwork home: a folded paper fan that she had brightly colored. When she showed it to my mother, she was told in the most disgusted tone "Oh DD, ANYONE can do that!" I couldn't buy that woman a bus ticket home fast enough and got rid of her ASAP!
TribbleThinking 3 months ago
Well done, OP. You had to put up with those bullies all your life, but when they tried it on your daughter, you stopped it there and then. A+. That was your graduation. Congratulations, sincerely.
Vinnie 3 months ago (edited)
WTF - this ain't America's Got Talent or Julliard. Who cares if the little girl isn't a concert pianist? One mother of a not-so-great violin player expected her daughter to play a little, appreciate music and understand the work that goes into it. As it turned out, the daughter is brilliant in other areas - the other day I joked, ''She's doing a PhD in clinical psychology - wasn't she in high school four years ago???"
Ms.GB 3 months ago (edited)
I would have loved to see him make them try to play a song...u said a dog could do better right!? Or maybe you're afraid that a 10 year old girl is a better musician that the two of you combined...yeah, I laugh when I'm embarrassed of myself too.
Load More Replies... Stephanie Did It 3 months ago
My mother abandoned me at the age of 2, and I was adopted by family members. When my own DD was 5 I had another baby and started a search for my own mother. I found her and a couple of visits ensued. On one visit, my now 6 yr old DD proudly brought her schoolwork home: a folded paper fan that she had brightly colored. When she showed it to my mother, she was told in the most disgusted tone "Oh DD, ANYONE can do that!" I couldn't buy that woman a bus ticket home fast enough and got rid of her ASAP!
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