If American, they are graduating 2 years early in the top 10 of their class. The least they could have done was have one parent stay. They worked so hard for this. Sis was not alone or in an emergency situation. I would have been brokenhearted if I were this kid. They chose not to be there, they don’t get a re-do.

Poor kid obviously worked hard to graduate early and just wanted his hard work to be acknowledged. People should lay the hell off calling him yta... Dude worked hard and just wanted his family to care. It's okay for him to feel sad about it

Spot the mothers who had traumatic births calling YTA. Death in childbirth is rare and even if it happened, the parents would not have been allowed in anyway. Meantime, they didn't even let him know they were leaving and then called him out for leaving without telling him? Their own child had a milestone that he worked hard for and was proud of and they opted out of spending 90 minutes celebrating it.

When I graduated university, my parents came to the convocation (which I do not remember, tbh). My family name is near the end of the alphabet, so after a couple of hours, when I finally got my paper, I just went and sat in the lobby. My mum found me, reading and relaxing. I asked where Dad was, but I already knew the answer. "Your father's still in the hall. He said everyone has worked hard to get where they are today, and he will do them the respect of being there to the end of the ceremony." Bless you, Dad. So crusty on the outside, but such a softee on the inside. ♥

The parents knew this was important and still didn't discuss with their son what might happen if sister went into labor on the day. They knew this would impact their relationship with their son and just decided to bulk doze over what he wanted with no attempt to mitigate the hurt. If they were the type of parents to take their son's feelings into account, this wouldn't have happened. This sounds much more like the most recent example in a long pattern. I hope OP gets far away for college.

Anyone say he's the AH are AH themselves!!!!

I graduated in 1986. I am kid number three. My two older siblings were thrown huge graduation parties. My parents supplied all the food and they were really big deals. When my graduation came around, they literally couldn't be bothered. I couldn't find them after my graduation. Then I started to think they might be throwing me a surprise party. I went home and they were asleep on the couch. My class had 400 people in it and my last name begins with a W so they didn't feel like waiting because I didn't have college plans. Parents suck sometimes.

This could have been a funny family story down the line to tell the grandkids, "You were being born on the day your uncle was graduating, after he received his diploma, we all rushed to the car and floored it to the hospital, him still on his cap and gown, and since we didn't take any pictures there, we decided to take the graduation pictures in the hospital room with the whole family leaning over the bed". Instead all that will come of it is resentment that the parents clearly prioritize and favorite their daughter and that no matter what he does, son will always take second stage.

You can tell the people who don't recall the raging emotions of being 16 years old. Or had it beaten out of them. Whether or not his early graduation is more important than her eventual birth is irrelevant here. His feelings of abandonment are 100% valid. He may eventually wish he had taken those photos but that's a side issue. They chose not to be there.

A lot of massively entitled women with YTA's. No, everyone in the world doesn't have to immediately drop whatever they're doing because you are going into labor. That's what your partner and the hospital staff is there for. No, the entire world doesn't have to revolve around your offspring for the next 18 years either. Your world might, but that's it.

All these people saying his accomplishment are not as important just appalls me. I am so sorry for this person who was having a once in a lifetime experience and no one was there. The sister was fine for a few hours.

If they were going to be in the delivery room with her or needed to look after her other children or drive her to the hospital then, yes, leaving was the right decision. But they just left to hang around in the waiting room of the hospital and left once they figured that out. They should have known that without going.

Not exactly the same thing but I remember the utter disappointment I felt when my mother missed the one and only solo I ever got at a school concert. She was the one who insisted I try out. She had three different days she could have come to the show and she bailed on me all three times, then was pissed when I wouldn't sing my solo for her at home. So I absolutely understand being upset with the parents for bailing during graduation. If a concert hurt, I can't imagine the pain graduation must have caused.

Absolutely nta. She's feeling upset about what happened and it's her decision how she chooses to process those feelings.

A High School graduation is Very important. I saw my grandaugher graduate last week( the oldest of 3 granddaughters) and I saw her checking the crowd for us as she came off the stage after she received her diploma. She looked at the section that she had told us to sit in. I remember her mother(my daughter( doing that years ago at her graduation. One parent should have been there for their child. A graduation is generally the first major event and milestone in a child's life. An event that they have worked very hard for. The Op here is a boy. He wanted Family there to acknowledge and cheer him on and show pride in him. He's entitled to his feelings. He Did Not say both parents should have stayed for graduation, Just one. And I think that those who say he shouldn't feel hurt or disappointed do him and others in a similar situation a great disservice. He didn't says his graduation was More important than his sister giving birth. And I know the traumas of giving birth. Been there

I didn’t bother to attend my own graduation because my folks never gave a c**p about anything I did and wouldn’t be there, so what’s the point? Worse, I had all the credits to graduate two years early but the school wouldn’t give me my diploma for two years, so by then, I’d pretty much forgotten all about it. I have no regrets. I understand, though, that for teens, everything is REALLY HUGE, so I can at least understand where he’s coming from. I’m not crazy about his parents, either.

Kid graduated 2 years early and YTA-crowd people are calling it a participation trophy, my god.

The question op asked is about refusing to take the photo. Why are they so adamant about this photo? They're trying to rewrite history. They weren't there; op gets to choose whether to pose for a photo as if they were.

They both should have stayed! Just what, exactly, could either of them done to help your sister? Her husband and father of the baby was there. There was no real good reason for them to abandon you. Clearly, your sister is the "golden child". Even if there was a problem with the delivery, there was absolutely nothing they could do to help. At the very least, your mother could have gone to the hospital if there had been any complications. I speak from firsthand experience. Stand your ground about the pictures. If, in the future you graduate from college, advise them this is their last chance to get photos, take it or leave it. End of conversation.

You have every right to be upset! One of your parents should have stayed with you at least! My question is how long did it take for them to respond after you told them you're walking home did they not even care that the school was almost empty and nobody still there. Personally I consider that in itself irresponsible graduation is important and you have a right to be upset. In my opinion take it or leave it your parents need to back off about pictures if you can find a polite way to let them know that would be my recommendation let them know the year you plan on graduating from college and tell them to reserve the date ahead of time. Both your mom and dad did not have to go to the hospital no matter what the situation is and from what you were saying nobody was dying. I had four children myself, the majority of births are not a life and death requiring both your parents I'm more concerned about you being abandoned to find your way home.

When I graduated, my mama left early. Heck I'm not sure she showed up. She was mad that I didn't get a ticket for her boyfriend, who had nothing to do with my education. I wanted my grandmother to go.

NTA. You were second choice to your parents. Two parents = 2 kids, you split up and support both kids. Simple. Their choice was beyond insulting to you. They want a picture now? Why? Share with family like all was peachy-keen?

I gave birth to 8 kids, I do not think that having the entire family there is practical. Also, no one can help if needed except the nurses and doctors. That said, the graduate here is a minor. If I went into labor and one of my kids was graduating I would make sure he or she had support and was not alone. You never stop being a parent. But knowing where you are needed and what you can do to help is where you go with this. Yes, I would want to know how my daughter in labour was doing and would have kept in touch during ceremony. Some people think it's not a big deal but if it's important to you beloved child that it is important to you. They should have had a game plan. As difficult as birth can be it's a choice someone made as family you can only be supportive. This 16 year old is not selfish he was just left there , he's still a minor. If anything had happened to him his parents would hate themselves.

I get it kiddo. When I got my associates degree, it was totally trumped by my brother being jealous and saying he got his too, just never said anything. Then everything was about him! He's the one who graduated! He's the one with the degree! He's the one who did the work! The girl did what everyone was supposed to do. But he went above and beyond! (We still haven't found any proof of that.) When it came to my bachelors then, covid made it much easier to just sweep under the rug. I didn't care at that point then. I wouldn't have minded going to the ceremony. It would have been a bit of a struggle, but worth it...if my brother wouldn't have said something to take absolutely all the attention off me. The pride was gone, the excitement was burned out, and the depression kicked in hardcore. I get it kid. You are not an a*****e.

The people calling this young person an AH are the AH. High school grad IS a big deal despite all the gaslighters saying it’s not and that the kid is being selfish. To graduate #6 in your class is a pretty big deal. You have to work hard for that. I graduated top 10% as well. That is one of the first major milestones in life where you are like I DID THIS. ALL ME. Sorry, if the picture was that important to the parents they would have made sure they were in attendance. Then to gaslight the kid and say they were disrespectful for leaving a ceremony that ALREADY ENDED! Are you kidding me?! No. Definitely NTA, and I would refuse the photo also!

While the birth of a first baby is a major milestone, so is graduating high school, especially if it's earlier than expected!! Also, labor can progress longer than expected, sometimes hours, even days! Plus, most hospitals limit who can be present in the delivery room other than parent, partner or other support person, so husband takes precedence over grandparents. So mom and dad both didn't have to be there! Only one parent could've stayed for the graduation and take pictures afterwards! OP, congrats and NTA!! Sis, congrats and NTA!! Mom and dad, YTA BIG TIME (DO BETTER!!)!!!

I hate this for the OP. I'm mostly estranged from my birth family, but even MY parents were at least at my graduation.

YTA. It's easy to talk how easy the delivery was AFTER the event. During labor, you have no idea when or if something goes wrong.

Why do Americans make high school graduation such a big thing? I'm not American, obviously so I don't really get it. I didn't go to my graduation. I was informed I had graduated and I was like, "great! And thanks for all the fish." I was happy I never had to go back. Graduation from post-secondary (collage or university) is a big thing where I'm from.

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I'm in the middle on this one. Yes, one of the parents could have stayed there with him, but on the other hand, I feel like he's overreacting to the situation. In an unexpected situation, like getting the phone call from the son-in-law, people don't always make the best decisions.

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NAH. He has a right to feel disappointed, but I also understand that the parents wanted to be there for their daughter during scary times. As a mom, you'll know what your daughter will be going through, sort of. Maybe mom had scary moments / was really scared during childbirth. Sister's partner never had a baby come out of him. So for the mom going, I understand. Dad could have stayed behind if mom was ok driving those long 45 minutes (especially if they came in separate cars). I assume mom and dad left the daughter once they were assured everything was going fine. All in all, the situation just sucks. Parents could have been more empathetic to OP, I'm sure that would have helped a lot. "sorry op, we were anxious about the delivery so we left, we're sorry we missed it". Still, a delivery/going into labour is not something you do and having another inexperienced loved one with you might not be enough to help. (I'm talking about "her husband was with her").