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Parents Remember Their Least Favorite Kid After 18 Years When Golden Child Didn’t Achieve Anything
Interview With Expert
Parents are usually the ones who help lay the foundation for our future. From investing in our early education to cheering us on during milestones, they often play a key role in shaping who we become. But sadly, that’s not always the case. Sometimes, the people we expect to protect us are the very ones who hold us back.
One person opened up about such a betrayal, how their own mother and brother hid college acceptance letters from them. What followed was a life of struggle, missed opportunities, and painful realizations. Keep reading to find out what happened and how they dealt with the truth when it finally came out.
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Access to education shapes minds, not just resumes
Image credits: EyeEm / freepik (not the actual photo)
Having access to education is a privilege many of us often take for granted. According to UNESCO’s 2023 report, a staggering 250 million children across the globe are currently out of school. Even more startling is the fact that 16% of children and youth from primary to upper secondary levels are not enrolled at all. The reasons vary, from poverty and conflict to deep-rooted systemic inequalities.
But the value of education goes far beyond securing a job. At its core, education shapes the way we think, understand the world, and interact with others. These skills are essential for navigating adulthood, relationships, and society at large.
It also shapes the way we see ourselves and others. It builds emotional intelligence, empathy, and communication skills that are crucial to personal and professional relationships. A classroom can be more than a space for grades, it can be the first place where someone feels seen, heard, and empowered.
When people say education opens doors, they mean it literally and figuratively. Higher education often leads to better-paying jobs, greater security, and opportunities for advancement.
Education is also one of the most powerful tools for promoting equality. It breaks down long-standing barriers to mobility and offers everyone, regardless of their background, a shot at something better. At a national level, an educated population drives innovation and economic prosperity. A well-educated workforce increases productivity, generates new ideas, and fosters global competitiveness.
In many ways, education strengthens entire communities. It teaches people to think, feel, and behave in ways that contribute to their own growth and the development of those around them. Educated individuals often take part in civic engagement, uplift others, and help solve local problems with informed insight.
In some cases, parents choose not to invest in their children’s education, seeing it as a poor investment
Image credits: Bizon / freepik (not the actual photo)
To understand the roadblocks that often stand in the way of a child’s academic journey, we spoke to Minakshi Pravin Walke, ex-Principal at the Indian Education Society’s school. “We have children from all sorts of backgrounds,” she said. “In many cases, families don’t have the financial means to continue their child’s schooling. When that happens, we try to counsel them and connect them with options for scholarships or other funding avenues.”
She explained that money isn’t the only concern. “Sometimes, parents feel their child isn’t doing well academically, so they think continuing school is pointless. They see it as a poor investment.” These beliefs, she noted, are often rooted in misunderstanding rather than neglect. That’s where schools step in, with guidance sessions to help families understand that learning is not linear and progress can still be made with the right support.
“We have regular counseling,” Minakshi added. “It helps both children and parents see the bigger picture. Education isn’t just about marks, it’s about long-term growth.” Often, families are influenced by peers or neighbors. “They might see someone pulling their child out of school to start earning, and think, maybe we should too. But while that brings immediate money, it limits future potential. We show them how education can be the bigger payoff.”
Sometimes, all it takes is a little perspective. “You don’t need long lectures,” she smiled. “Just show parents how, in the long run, investing in a child’s education can completely change their future. That understanding grows with time and the right support.”
In this particular case, the author lost out on a life-changing opportunity because of their own family’s actions. Was it fair? What would you have done in their shoes? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
Readers didn’t hold back and expressed strong anger toward the author’s family
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What do you think ?
Dragons Exist 2 months ago
People like those parents continue to lower my already non-existent hope and faith in humanity
🇺🇦 🇵🇸 TribbleThinking 2 months ago
I agree. However, am I the only one who is nonplussed at the bald brother assaulting "his barber"? "A barber" I could understand, but for it to be "his barber" would imply that he was a customer. Did the rage stem from the barber failing to participate in a hair based version of the Emperor's New Clothes?
Load More Replies...
Alexandra 2 months ago
The thing is, you can never start over, because you can't undo what has been done. You can't erase the past, you can't unhurt and unharm people. His parents basically ask him to just forget what they've done to him. Even forgiveness doesn't mean you have to erase what has been done to you. OP owes his parents nothing, especially not now they've shown him that he just didn't matter to them. If OP wants to have his parents in his life, he should make it clear what his boundaries are: no financial assistance and not expecting him to provide care are two things he should be very clear about.
Barbara McCullough 2 months ago
Hell no. kicked them out of your life. They need financial help. Tell them to make brother get a job. Walmart is hiring. Mcdonald's, Burger King. Only need a command of English to work for any of them.
liam newton-harding 2 months ago
They want him to give momma’s boy a job…or even the entire company, because “he deserves it”, and all the financial support they have been forced to due to their awful parenting.
The_Nicest_Misanthrope 2 months ago
Tell them to get fúcked! The amount of people who shouldn't have kids but do is just horrifying to me
Tabitha 2 months ago
They didn’t get the rich doctor son they banked on to financially carry them through their old age, so now they’re turning to their other son, the one who they a****d, whose future they sabotaged, and who they threw out of the house, JUST because he worked hard and made a success of himself while his golden child brother who failed to launch is freeloading off them instead of them freeloading off him. Now all 3 of them are looking to freeload off OP, who I hope tells the whole bunch of them to f**k all the way off.
Yrral Spavit 2 months ago
lets start over so we can can have another run at messing you up again.
Useurturnsignal 2 months ago
That poor guy. So happy he succeeded in spite of his parents. Accept their apology and then move on. They can't be trusted.
Saber4 1 month ago
They need to be charged. Mail theft is a federal crime.
Load More Replies... 
Kate Johnson 2 months ago
I'd just say, "Start over? No. I have no interest in any form of relationship with you. I've made a success of my life despite your vile interference and if you have the deluded idea that I want you to be a part of my life or that I will be assisting you in any way in future, let me be clear. It's not going to happen. You made your bed, go lie in it. It's certainly nothing to do with me."
Kathy Brooke 2 months ago
I'm with those who suggest a lawyer. Imagine the damages from lost earnings?
Dilly Millandry 2 months ago
The likelihood of them having sufficient money to pay any decent amount of compensation on top of paying legal fees? Doubt it's worth the effort or the stress. He's probably best off accepting the past can't be altered, they aren't going to be able to make up for it and moving on is all he can do. Then staying away. People who are prepared to act as his parents did aren't worth having in your life.
Load More Replies...
h to da izzle 2 months ago
Get up, turn around, leave their house, tell them on the doorstep that they are dead to me, walk away. All without making a scene, calm and polite but firm!
Crystalwitch60 2 months ago
Hell to the you can f**k right off!! NO !! what a vile pair of inhumans , sick twisted cruel and a b s u si v e ,to boot .100% don’t even give it a moments more brain space ,despite their cruel behaviour you have done very well for yourself !, now they the s c u m inhumans want a slice of it ,NOPE , UPDATE needed plz x NTA but if you give in you will be !
Lee Gilliland 2 months ago
There are reasons why we children of narcissistic parents go low to no contact. This is a shining example, and they are not sorry, they merely regret the necessity of contacting the non-golden child.
kissmychakram 2 months ago
Not condoning the mother at all, what she did was horrible - but I don't understand why OP didn't call the colleges when he didn't hear from them? Did the mother fake rejection letters?
Tabitha 2 months ago
What does a 17 or 18 year old kid know about checking up on an acceptance? He probably thought if he didn’t hear from them it meant he wasn’t accepted. His parents may also have reinforced that lie to cover their own asses and keep hi from making those calls. Keep the context of the situation and his age at the time in mind.
Load More Replies...
KatSaidWhat 2 months ago
This is a hard no for me. You could have let me live an even better life but only decided to reach out after realising your future is fuct because your golden goose is in fact just a goose.
chops jones 2 months ago (edited)
They only apologized and came clean to clear their guilt and conscience. They will try to use you to support your loser brother and them . Go no contact forever.You do not need these people in your life. What do you have to gain to know this information. How does it help? Go no contact you don't need this.
chops jones 2 months ago
They heard about your success.All they want is your money don't be foolish. They've done nothing for you In the past they'll do nothing for you in the future.. Save your sanity, go, no contact forever.These are not parents these are leeches.
Beth Anderson 2 months ago
OP needs to communicate via email about the letters and about the dad kicking him out of the house with nowhere to go and no real way to support himself. Then go get an order of protection. They are after money, a "job" for the golden child and to have the golden child move in with OP.
J B 2 months ago
You said your original motivation was to be a filmmaker... Maybe this story is both a chance to achieve just that, and to expose your family and your feelings. Even sold as fiction, they know their roles and would feel exposed. Who knows, maybe you can make a million dollars to not share as well. I think honestly that forgiveness is crucial to anyone's mental health. That you should forgive them for the narcissistic people who they clearly are, and also yourself for feeling played a fool, and not checking in on the schools without receiving rejection letters. Most of us unfortunately manage to blame ourselves in ways for things beyond our control. But the forgiveness is for your well being, so you can move forward, I don't think having them in your life at this point is of any benefit to you. Just forgive self and others and keep moving forward in life
arcticbabe2006 2 months ago
Unbelievable. I feel your pain. Your mom should meet my mom. You have to keep toxic people out of your life even if they’re family. Life is too short. I hope you are proud of your accomplishments. I’m proud of you and don’t even know you. You persevered even when the people who are supposed to support you….didnt. They literally sabotaged your future and you went out and forged your own. Good for you🫶🏻
CartoonCasey 2 months ago
"What do you think is the main motivation behind the parents wanting to "start over" now?" They're a******s.
Dragons Exist 2 months ago
People like those parents continue to lower my already non-existent hope and faith in humanity
🇺🇦 🇵🇸 TribbleThinking 2 months ago
I agree. However, am I the only one who is nonplussed at the bald brother assaulting "his barber"? "A barber" I could understand, but for it to be "his barber" would imply that he was a customer. Did the rage stem from the barber failing to participate in a hair based version of the Emperor's New Clothes?
Load More Replies... Alexandra 2 months ago
The thing is, you can never start over, because you can't undo what has been done. You can't erase the past, you can't unhurt and unharm people. His parents basically ask him to just forget what they've done to him. Even forgiveness doesn't mean you have to erase what has been done to you. OP owes his parents nothing, especially not now they've shown him that he just didn't matter to them. If OP wants to have his parents in his life, he should make it clear what his boundaries are: no financial assistance and not expecting him to provide care are two things he should be very clear about.
Barbara McCullough 2 months ago
Hell no. kicked them out of your life. They need financial help. Tell them to make brother get a job. Walmart is hiring. Mcdonald's, Burger King. Only need a command of English to work for any of them.
liam newton-harding 2 months ago
They want him to give momma’s boy a job…or even the entire company, because “he deserves it”, and all the financial support they have been forced to due to their awful parenting.
The_Nicest_Misanthrope 2 months ago
Tell them to get fúcked! The amount of people who shouldn't have kids but do is just horrifying to me
Tabitha 2 months ago
They didn’t get the rich doctor son they banked on to financially carry them through their old age, so now they’re turning to their other son, the one who they a****d, whose future they sabotaged, and who they threw out of the house, JUST because he worked hard and made a success of himself while his golden child brother who failed to launch is freeloading off them instead of them freeloading off him. Now all 3 of them are looking to freeload off OP, who I hope tells the whole bunch of them to f**k all the way off.
Yrral Spavit 2 months ago
lets start over so we can can have another run at messing you up again.
Useurturnsignal 2 months ago
That poor guy. So happy he succeeded in spite of his parents. Accept their apology and then move on. They can't be trusted.
Saber4 1 month ago
They need to be charged. Mail theft is a federal crime.
Load More Replies... Kate Johnson 2 months ago
I'd just say, "Start over? No. I have no interest in any form of relationship with you. I've made a success of my life despite your vile interference and if you have the deluded idea that I want you to be a part of my life or that I will be assisting you in any way in future, let me be clear. It's not going to happen. You made your bed, go lie in it. It's certainly nothing to do with me."
Kathy Brooke 2 months ago
I'm with those who suggest a lawyer. Imagine the damages from lost earnings?
Dilly Millandry 2 months ago
The likelihood of them having sufficient money to pay any decent amount of compensation on top of paying legal fees? Doubt it's worth the effort or the stress. He's probably best off accepting the past can't be altered, they aren't going to be able to make up for it and moving on is all he can do. Then staying away. People who are prepared to act as his parents did aren't worth having in your life.
Load More Replies... h to da izzle 2 months ago
Get up, turn around, leave their house, tell them on the doorstep that they are dead to me, walk away. All without making a scene, calm and polite but firm!
Crystalwitch60 2 months ago
Hell to the you can f**k right off!! NO !! what a vile pair of inhumans , sick twisted cruel and a b s u si v e ,to boot .100% don’t even give it a moments more brain space ,despite their cruel behaviour you have done very well for yourself !, now they the s c u m inhumans want a slice of it ,NOPE , UPDATE needed plz x NTA but if you give in you will be !
Lee Gilliland 2 months ago
There are reasons why we children of narcissistic parents go low to no contact. This is a shining example, and they are not sorry, they merely regret the necessity of contacting the non-golden child.
kissmychakram 2 months ago
Not condoning the mother at all, what she did was horrible - but I don't understand why OP didn't call the colleges when he didn't hear from them? Did the mother fake rejection letters?
Tabitha 2 months ago
What does a 17 or 18 year old kid know about checking up on an acceptance? He probably thought if he didn’t hear from them it meant he wasn’t accepted. His parents may also have reinforced that lie to cover their own asses and keep hi from making those calls. Keep the context of the situation and his age at the time in mind.
Load More Replies... KatSaidWhat 2 months ago
This is a hard no for me. You could have let me live an even better life but only decided to reach out after realising your future is fuct because your golden goose is in fact just a goose.
chops jones 2 months ago (edited)
They only apologized and came clean to clear their guilt and conscience. They will try to use you to support your loser brother and them . Go no contact forever.You do not need these people in your life. What do you have to gain to know this information. How does it help? Go no contact you don't need this.
chops jones 2 months ago
They heard about your success.All they want is your money don't be foolish. They've done nothing for you In the past they'll do nothing for you in the future.. Save your sanity, go, no contact forever.These are not parents these are leeches.
Beth Anderson 2 months ago
OP needs to communicate via email about the letters and about the dad kicking him out of the house with nowhere to go and no real way to support himself. Then go get an order of protection. They are after money, a "job" for the golden child and to have the golden child move in with OP.
J B 2 months ago
You said your original motivation was to be a filmmaker... Maybe this story is both a chance to achieve just that, and to expose your family and your feelings. Even sold as fiction, they know their roles and would feel exposed. Who knows, maybe you can make a million dollars to not share as well. I think honestly that forgiveness is crucial to anyone's mental health. That you should forgive them for the narcissistic people who they clearly are, and also yourself for feeling played a fool, and not checking in on the schools without receiving rejection letters. Most of us unfortunately manage to blame ourselves in ways for things beyond our control. But the forgiveness is for your well being, so you can move forward, I don't think having them in your life at this point is of any benefit to you. Just forgive self and others and keep moving forward in life
arcticbabe2006 2 months ago
Unbelievable. I feel your pain. Your mom should meet my mom. You have to keep toxic people out of your life even if they’re family. Life is too short. I hope you are proud of your accomplishments. I’m proud of you and don’t even know you. You persevered even when the people who are supposed to support you….didnt. They literally sabotaged your future and you went out and forged your own. Good for you🫶🏻
CartoonCasey 2 months ago
"What do you think is the main motivation behind the parents wanting to "start over" now?" They're a******s.
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