Guy Decides Not To Change Color Of The House He Bought, His Teen Son Struggles With It Years Later
Once upon a time, there lived an old gentleman who was greatly tormented by his entitled neighbors. And one fine day he figured out how to make sure that every glance at his house would spoil the neighbors’ mood. He took several buckets of paint and painted his house pink!
As the years passed, the old gentleman finally passed away, as did most of the neighbors who didn’t like him – and this geezer’s son put the old house up for sale. The buyer turned out to be a guy who wasn’t actually afraid of the prospect of a long renovation, but the only thing that remained unchanged from the old owner was the pink walls.
More info: Reddit
The author of the post bought a house painted pink many years ago – and left the color unchanged
Image credits: Justin Henry (not the actual photo)
The seller told him that it was his late dad’s house and the old man had painted the walls pink in order to annoy his neighbors
Image credits: u/Wild-Argument-308
Now the author and his wife have 3 kids: a teen son and 2 younger daughters
Image credits: Alena Darmel (not the actual photo)
Image credits: u/Wild-Argument-308
So the boy really hates the pink walls and urged the dad to pick another color when the parents wanted to do some repairs
Yes, the Original Poster (OP), the user u/Wild-Argument-308, now lives in this house with his wife and their three children: two daughters and a teen son. Now let’s try to guess – which of the five family members hates the pink color of their house? That’s right, the author’s son.
Apparently, the boy grew up with the idea of taking a bucket of paint and repainting the walls – but his dreams weren’t destined to come true until the original poster decided to give their house a complete overhaul. But, to the kid’s regret, the parents decided to leave the walls pink!
The boy tried to protest, but his parents rejected his requests to repaint the walls – after all, this is their house, and all the other family members had nothing against the pink color. According to the parents, when the house becomes the property of the kids, they can make decisions about painting, but not now.
The original poster’s mother-in-law tried to put pressure on him and his wife, arguing that it would be embarrassing for a 13-year-old boy to live in a ‘Barbie house’, but the author honestly asked his son if his peers teased him about this. He replied that they hadn’t, but he just hated the pink walls and wanted a ‘normal’ color.
Well, for now, apparently, the kid will just have to accept it – to the delight of his 8 Y.O. and 10 Y.O. sisters, because they don’t mind living in the ‘Barbie house.’ Especially after the stunning success of the Barbie movie.
Image credits: Pixabay (not the actual photo)
“Yes, it’s not surprising that a 13-year-old boy isn’t happy to live in a pink house – after all, this is that formative age period when every teenager fears bullying for literally every little thing,” says Irina Matveeva, a psychologist and certified NLP specialist, whom Bored Panda asked for a comment here. “Unfortunately, there have been cases of bullying for much more petty reasons. However, so far his fears, in his own words, are groundless.”
“However, this is also the age when one should learn to respect the decisions of their elders, to whom, in fact, the house belongs. And if all other family members like the pink color of the walls, then this should be respected. In the end, the father correctly noted, when the children become the owners of this house themselves, then they can change something. In the meantime, the boy can try to be proud that his house is in fact so unique,” Irina ponders.
By the way, the perception of pink as something ultimately ‘girlish’ appeared only at the beginning of the last century – and before that, pink, on the contrary, was perceived in Western society as assigned to boys. So the perception of colors changes over time – especially since all color prejudices are nothing more than a convention. Just take a look at Leo Messi scoring goal after goal in the pink Inter Miami jersey in Major League Soccer!
Commenters on the original post also sincerely believe that nothing terrible is actually happening here. “I think your son will mature to understand that pink is not an embarrassing color, and honestly your MIL should too,” one of the commenters wrote. “Also your MIL should respect your decisions in parenting and about your house.”
After all, according to most people in the comments, this is how democracy works. “He can make the decisions when it’s passed down to him. 4 against 1. The ‘voting’ was fair and square. He’ll live just like he has been in that house for all of his life,” another person added wisely. So what do you, our dear readers, think about this situation?
People in the comments, however, told the author that he is right here as he’s actually the owner of the house and not his son
Image credits: Bart Everson (not the actual photo)
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As a grown a$$ adult woman, I would never live in a pink house. Why? Only because I hate most shades of pink. That being said, while I understand your son wanting a different color (EVERYTHING you do is embarrassing to a teenager!), I applaud your decision to keep the pink since you & your wife love it. As my mom used say (and still does), "When you pay the bills, you can do it your way. Until, then, we do it my way!" He'll live.
You're mom is an AH and made you into one as well.
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When he was a teenager my brother made my parents park down the street and around the corner when dropping him off for school because apparently it’s embarrassingly to have parents drive you to school. I never understood that one. Everybody in the school has parents that drive them places. And they’ve spent an hour out of their day doing the school run.
Then drive by the school roll down the windows and yell, love you johnny
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These poll answers make it seem like the kid had to choose between shooting his mom or dad, not having to live in a pink house
I see a pink house and i want it painted black. No embarrassment anymore I want it to turn black. I know my parents like it but I can not stand the pink. If you ask my grandmother she answers the color stinks. NTA. But paint his windowsills black :p
All colours are normal. And honestly, I'd definitely respect a male person who is confident enough to live in a pink house, wear pink clothes, drive pink motorcycle or whatever pink. Talking about cis-het males, obviously, since they tend to be the ones to overreact and fear that someone might doubt their manly manliness. Mad respect to those who doesn't. 🍻
My husband owns a button down shirt that's pink- portraying kittens having a birthday party, complete with birthday cake, kittens wearing party hats, etc. It's always a hit when he wears it and he looks amazing in pink with his dark hair and eyes. It's just a color.
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No one is the ah. OP and wife like the color so it stays that color. However that doesn't mean the son has to also like the hideous color🤷🏽♀️ though they shouldn't be surprised if he doesn't invite people over because of it😂
I grew up in a pink house with orange trim. I have 4 brothers and a sister. Not once was anything said to us about it. We were the tough kids on the block so that might have something to do with it. But we all turned out fine. No lasting trauma from living in a pink house.
I grew up in a pink house. It's a Victorian "painted lady", so not Barbie pink or anything. I loved it and thought it was awesome. My brother had no problems with it either. Not a single kid I knew thought it was anything but cool. My parents still live there but they changed the color to gray with dark pink accents a while ago. I miss the pink! :)
Dad should focus on "it's to p**s people off" so the teens in town would find it cool.
My nephew was discouraged by his dad to like Pink, cos it's a "girl's" color. My nephew got a whole history lesson from hubs and me when his dad was not around. Pink IS his favourite now.
I've always been of the opinion that neither houses nor cars should be pink, which is actually one of my favorite colors. With that being said, it's up to the parents to decide what color their house should be. The kid will get over it.
Start playing The Band's first album and tell him the story behind it.
I had a bright pink car for a while, it was ugly as sin, but it was cheap (no one wants a pink car), so that's a fair decision. House isn't perfect, but it's livable and would cost a lot to change. Seems crazy to change the color before it needs to be painted.
All I'm hearing is that he will paint it for free. Lots of people think their houses are ugly and there are a lot of ugly houses. It's an expensive and time consuming job to change house color. Unless there are extenuating circumstances, I would leave it.
A little weird the son has lived in the house his entire life and even notices it at this point.
Easiest directions, turn on 5th and go to pink house, can't miss it
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No one is an AH in this scenario. What you need to do is get two nice signs made (one for inside and one for where your property meets the street) explaining the story behind the house's color. This story needs to be shared and maybe your son will find a sense of pride in helping to carry the story on.
I love it teens are embarrassed by everything. Tell him pink use to be the color for boys. In England the red coats they wore would fade over time. That meant only people who were experienced had pink coats They were the ones who could help you most and save your life most likely. So by the old standards you have a very manly house. I can't remember where I read though. Can someone else confirm. Or site a source.
This could be a good teaching opportunity. Price out how much it would cost, all factors included, to repaint the house. Negotiate a deal with your son where he pays the majority of the new paint job, if not all. And he does the majority of the painting, if not all. Find a selection of colors you like and have him choose from that. Then help him work until he's saved up enough to pay for his share of the paint job. Teach him about costs and personal finance along the way. It's a great learning experience and you'll still end up with a color you like, because he only gets to choose from colors you've pre-approved. This way, you're respecting your child's wishes whilst also respecting your own wishes. I'm sure pink isn't the only color you like. It's a win-win situation!
I would LOVE to live in a pink house. I hate the tan house we have to have because the HOA designates the allowable house colors. Inside my house is a rainbow at the very least but oh how I long for a pink exterior!
The house I live in, where I've lived for 30+ years, was blue when my parents bought it, and they painted it yellow with pink and teal trim....a few years ago, we needed new siding and they chose BROWN...I LIKED having the odd ball house, and I HATE THE BROWN...that being said, it's their house and they can pick whatever color they want
It's a fine line between a teen that starts to rebel and a grown up that won't take no for an answer. Imo dad has bigger issues than a pink house.
You're not doing parenting right if your teens aren't embarrassed by every breath you take. So many song references come to mind with this article
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You're all AHs in the article. The parents and the NTH replies. The fact that you needed to ask proves it. OFC if you ask AHs if you're an AH, they'll say you aren't. Nothings wrong with a pink house, until it's eating away at the confidence of someone you claim to love. Y'all care more about yourselves than your kid. Why can't you inconvenience yourself for 5 years? If you can't see how they're in fact AHs then you're an AH too. I'm an AH and I approve this message.
You can't please everyone 100% of the time. 4 people in the house like the color, 1 doesn't. Changing it because 1 person doesn't like it doesn't make any sense. Plus it's not eating away his confidence, he just said he doesn't like it, there's a difference
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Hey, the neighbor just give directions, look for the pink house, we are 2 doors down
Load More Replies... As a grown a$$ adult woman, I would never live in a pink house. Why? Only because I hate most shades of pink. That being said, while I understand your son wanting a different color (EVERYTHING you do is embarrassing to a teenager!), I applaud your decision to keep the pink since you & your wife love it. As my mom used say (and still does), "When you pay the bills, you can do it your way. Until, then, we do it my way!" He'll live.
You're mom is an AH and made you into one as well.
Load More Replies... When he was a teenager my brother made my parents park down the street and around the corner when dropping him off for school because apparently it’s embarrassingly to have parents drive you to school. I never understood that one. Everybody in the school has parents that drive them places. And they’ve spent an hour out of their day doing the school run.
Then drive by the school roll down the windows and yell, love you johnny
Load More Replies... These poll answers make it seem like the kid had to choose between shooting his mom or dad, not having to live in a pink house
I see a pink house and i want it painted black. No embarrassment anymore I want it to turn black. I know my parents like it but I can not stand the pink. If you ask my grandmother she answers the color stinks. NTA. But paint his windowsills black :p
All colours are normal. And honestly, I'd definitely respect a male person who is confident enough to live in a pink house, wear pink clothes, drive pink motorcycle or whatever pink. Talking about cis-het males, obviously, since they tend to be the ones to overreact and fear that someone might doubt their manly manliness. Mad respect to those who doesn't. 🍻
My husband owns a button down shirt that's pink- portraying kittens having a birthday party, complete with birthday cake, kittens wearing party hats, etc. It's always a hit when he wears it and he looks amazing in pink with his dark hair and eyes. It's just a color.
Load More Replies... No one is the ah. OP and wife like the color so it stays that color. However that doesn't mean the son has to also like the hideous color🤷🏽♀️ though they shouldn't be surprised if he doesn't invite people over because of it😂
I grew up in a pink house with orange trim. I have 4 brothers and a sister. Not once was anything said to us about it. We were the tough kids on the block so that might have something to do with it. But we all turned out fine. No lasting trauma from living in a pink house.
I grew up in a pink house. It's a Victorian "painted lady", so not Barbie pink or anything. I loved it and thought it was awesome. My brother had no problems with it either. Not a single kid I knew thought it was anything but cool. My parents still live there but they changed the color to gray with dark pink accents a while ago. I miss the pink! :)
Dad should focus on "it's to p**s people off" so the teens in town would find it cool.
My nephew was discouraged by his dad to like Pink, cos it's a "girl's" color. My nephew got a whole history lesson from hubs and me when his dad was not around. Pink IS his favourite now.
I've always been of the opinion that neither houses nor cars should be pink, which is actually one of my favorite colors. With that being said, it's up to the parents to decide what color their house should be. The kid will get over it.
Start playing The Band's first album and tell him the story behind it.
I had a bright pink car for a while, it was ugly as sin, but it was cheap (no one wants a pink car), so that's a fair decision. House isn't perfect, but it's livable and would cost a lot to change. Seems crazy to change the color before it needs to be painted.
All I'm hearing is that he will paint it for free. Lots of people think their houses are ugly and there are a lot of ugly houses. It's an expensive and time consuming job to change house color. Unless there are extenuating circumstances, I would leave it.
A little weird the son has lived in the house his entire life and even notices it at this point.
Easiest directions, turn on 5th and go to pink house, can't miss it
Load More Replies... No one is an AH in this scenario. What you need to do is get two nice signs made (one for inside and one for where your property meets the street) explaining the story behind the house's color. This story needs to be shared and maybe your son will find a sense of pride in helping to carry the story on.
I love it teens are embarrassed by everything. Tell him pink use to be the color for boys. In England the red coats they wore would fade over time. That meant only people who were experienced had pink coats They were the ones who could help you most and save your life most likely. So by the old standards you have a very manly house. I can't remember where I read though. Can someone else confirm. Or site a source.
This could be a good teaching opportunity. Price out how much it would cost, all factors included, to repaint the house. Negotiate a deal with your son where he pays the majority of the new paint job, if not all. And he does the majority of the painting, if not all. Find a selection of colors you like and have him choose from that. Then help him work until he's saved up enough to pay for his share of the paint job. Teach him about costs and personal finance along the way. It's a great learning experience and you'll still end up with a color you like, because he only gets to choose from colors you've pre-approved. This way, you're respecting your child's wishes whilst also respecting your own wishes. I'm sure pink isn't the only color you like. It's a win-win situation!
I would LOVE to live in a pink house. I hate the tan house we have to have because the HOA designates the allowable house colors. Inside my house is a rainbow at the very least but oh how I long for a pink exterior!
The house I live in, where I've lived for 30+ years, was blue when my parents bought it, and they painted it yellow with pink and teal trim....a few years ago, we needed new siding and they chose BROWN...I LIKED having the odd ball house, and I HATE THE BROWN...that being said, it's their house and they can pick whatever color they want
It's a fine line between a teen that starts to rebel and a grown up that won't take no for an answer. Imo dad has bigger issues than a pink house.
You're not doing parenting right if your teens aren't embarrassed by every breath you take. So many song references come to mind with this article
Load More Replies... You're all AHs in the article. The parents and the NTH replies. The fact that you needed to ask proves it. OFC if you ask AHs if you're an AH, they'll say you aren't. Nothings wrong with a pink house, until it's eating away at the confidence of someone you claim to love. Y'all care more about yourselves than your kid. Why can't you inconvenience yourself for 5 years? If you can't see how they're in fact AHs then you're an AH too. I'm an AH and I approve this message.
You can't please everyone 100% of the time. 4 people in the house like the color, 1 doesn't. Changing it because 1 person doesn't like it doesn't make any sense. Plus it's not eating away his confidence, he just said he doesn't like it, there's a difference
Load More Replies... Hey, the neighbor just give directions, look for the pink house, we are 2 doors down
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