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Mom Horrified After Her Kid Asks Partner For A Ride To Say Goodbye To Dying Dad And He Complains
Sick father in hospital bed with oxygen tube, conveying a desperate teenu2019s need to say goodbye before hospital visit.
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Mom Horrified After Her Kid Asks Partner For A Ride To Say Goodbye To Dying Dad And He Complains

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Sometimes, life really knows how to serve a tragic sandwich and then throw in a side of petty drama. One moment you’re dealing with the gut-wrenching reality of a loved one dying, and the next, someone close decides it’s the perfect time to make it all about them.

Today’s Original Poster (OP) shared her heartbreak and fury after her daughter’s emotional moment was clouded by her partner’s selfish behavior. Amidst her ex-husband’s rapid health decline and tragic death, she found herself also managing the emotional fallout of a grown man acting like a teenager, at the worst possible time.

More info: Mumsnet

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    Middle-aged sick man in hospital gown with nasal oxygen, sitting on bed in a dim hospital room.

    Image credits: Tima Miroshnichenko / Pexels (not the actual photo)

    The author’s ex-husband, father to her two children, passed away just six weeks after a sudden diagnosis

    Teen desperate to say goodbye to sick father faces conflict as mom’s partner refuses to drive to hospital.

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    Teen desperate to say goodbye to sick father, mom’s partner upset about driving to hospital conflict.

    Text on plain white background reading My dd lives with me and ds lived with his dad.

    Teen desperate to say goodbye to sick father faces conflict with mom’s partner over hospital drive urgency.

    Image credits: Ifinkyourefreaky

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    Sad woman with curly hair looking out window, highlighting teen desperate to say goodbye to sick father emotions.

    Image credits: Eduardo Ramos / Unsplash (not the actual photo)

    Prior to his passing, her daughter wanted to say goodbye to him, but her partner resisted helping, saying he didn’t want to be dictated to by a little girl

    Teen desperate to say goodbye to sick father faces conflict with mom’s partner over hospital visit.

    Teen desperate to say goodbye to sick father faces mom’s partner upset about driving to hospital in tense car ride.

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    Text on a white background describing being dropped at the hospital after a 30-minute drive and told to find their own way home.

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    Text expressing frustration about mom’s partner causing trauma by refusing to drive sick father to hospital for daughter.

    Text message displaying a plea to stop venting during a stressful moment involving a sick father and hospital drive.

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    Text message expressing anger over not being able to visit sick father amid conflict about hospital visit.

    Image credits: Ifinkyourefreaky

    Man in a gray jacket driving a car, appearing frustrated while adjusting controls during a tense hospital trip.

    Image credits: Michael Kahn / Unsplash (not the actual photo)

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    He eventually drove them but lashed out emotionally, complaining throughout the ride to the hospital and then asked them to find their way back home

    Text update about receiving many responses and appreciation for support with teen desperate to say goodbye to sick father situation.

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    Text on screen about someone responding to comments, relating to mom’s partner and hospital visit tensions.

    Text message expressing appreciation for understanding different perspectives in a family hospital situation.

    Text on a white background expressing a decision to step back from a relationship amid issues, reflecting frustration and gratitude.

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    Text discussing a mom’s partner refusing to drive a teen who is desperate to say goodbye to sick father at hospital.

    Text about thanking for lifts and helping with cooking meals, related to teen desperate to say goodbye to sick father.

    Text discussing a teen desperate to say goodbye to sick father while dealing with mom’s partner refusing to drive to hospital.

    Image credits: Ifinkyourefreaky

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    This deeply upset the author, but she also began to wonder if she should go ahead with the relationship

    The OP’s ex-husband, who was the father of her two children, experienced a health decline which was shockingly rapid. The daughter lives with her, while the son had been living with their dad. As the ex-husband’s condition worsened, the daughter desperately wanted to see him one last time as doctors gave him mere hours.

    The OP’s current partner of seven years, who didn’t live with them but had been helping with hospital runs due to being the only one who drives, began grumbling about being treated like a chauffeur and questioning whether the daughter should see her dad in his final moments.

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    After some shouting and tears, he reluctantly agreed to drive. However, instead of compassion, he brought passive aggression and complaints for the entire 30-minute journey. Then, to top it off, he dropped them at the hospital and told them to find their own way home.

    The OP tried to keep the peace during the ride, repeatedly asking her partner to stop venting during such a sensitive time. She was deeply upset about what happened, and doesn’t even want to see him.

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    Man and woman having a tense conversation at home, illustrating conflict about driving to hospital for sick father crisis.

    Image credits: Luciana Studio / Freepik (not the actual photo)

    Psychology Today acknowledges that the death of a parent can trigger a particularly complex emotional response in adult children of divorce. Rather than experiencing grief in isolation, they may find old wounds reopened such as memories of a divided household, unspoken feelings, or unresolved conflicts resurface, causing “grief within grief” and intensifying the loss.

    However, Gottman Institute insists that then, more than ever, emotional intelligence is important as it entails being able to tune into one’s partner’s emotional state, making room for their partner’s emotional needs, and handling emotionally charged moments with thoughtfulness and care.

    They go further to explain that when emotional intelligence is present in a relationship, couples tend to trust each other more, communicate more openly, and stay emotionally connected even during difficult times.

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    For example, Grief emphasizes that when someone is mourning, actions matter far more than words. They also state that one of the worst things a person can do is center themselves during another’s loss, but that the key is to show up, listen, and show compassion.

    Netizens were angry and in disbelief at the partner’s lack of empathy during a deeply traumatic moment. They insisted that his behavior was inexcusable, especially toward a grieving teenager, and urged her to leave him.

    In an update, the OP mentioned that she had decided to take a step back from the relationship. What do you think about this situation? Would you forgive your partner, or is this kind of behavior a hard no? We would love to know your thoughts!

    Netizens understood the stress and exhaustion of being the only driver, but maintained that this was not the time for complaints or cruelty

    Comment about teen desperate to say goodbye to sick father, while mom’s partner angrily refuses to drive to hospital, expressing concern for family.

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    Comment expressing frustration over mom’s partner throwing a fit about driving to hospital for sick father.

    Text message discussing a mom’s partner refusing to drive a teen desperate to visit their sick father in hospital.

    Comment text on a white background expressing an opinion about a family conflict involving a sick father and hospital visit.

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    Comment expressing frustration about a mom’s partner refusing to drive a teen desperate to see sick father.

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    Comment expressing willingness to drive a stranger to say goodbye to their sick father amid family conflict.

    Online comment expressing frustration about mom’s partner refusing to drive daughter to hospital to say goodbye to sick father.

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    Text post from a user expressing frustration about a mom’s partner refusing to drive a teen to the hospital for their sick father.

    Text post from user stayathomer discussing emotional challenges when a teen tries to say goodbye to a sick father.

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    Poll Question

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    Ifeoluwa Adesina

    Ifeoluwa Adesina

    Writer, BoredPanda staff

    Read more »

    I'm a writer and bookworm (eyes glued to an e-book, more accurately) who happens to have a suspiciously deep knowledge about pop culture. When I'm not writing, I can most likely be found taking yet another online quiz to find out which soda matches my personality.

    Read less »
    Ifeoluwa Adesina

    Ifeoluwa Adesina

    Writer, BoredPanda staff

    I'm a writer and bookworm (eyes glued to an e-book, more accurately) who happens to have a suspiciously deep knowledge about pop culture. When I'm not writing, I can most likely be found taking yet another online quiz to find out which soda matches my personality.

    What do you think ?
    sturmwesen
    Community Member
    6 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It's a limited amount of time. her "Dear partner" could have sucked it up for 1 or 2 more days and they could have hashed it out after. That was not the time to throw a fit.

    Emilu
    Community Member
    6 months ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Exactly! D!ckhead Partner knows that the daughter's dad is dying, and dying soon. It's not like she's going to see him because he might die at some stage from old age, or potentially get hit by a bus, or trampled on by a zebra. Maybe. In 20 years. Doubt the daughter will forget this. Hopefully karma comes for D0uche-canoe Partner.

    Load More Replies...
    Paul C
    Community Member
    6 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    If he was so pissed off about it, he should have just said he had an appointment that made it impossible to take them. Then they could have made a taxi arrangement (or a friend etc). Giving them a lift then verbally complaining was just disgusting. The poor girl was losing her father. Last thing she needs to hear is a man whinging about taking her to the hospital.

    Earonn -
    Community Member
    6 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    OMG, what a p*****t! There's children whose Dad is dying, and he plays the drama llama. Helpfulness isn't really his forte, is it? Or compassion. Or not being a c**t.

    Lyoness
    Community Member
    6 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I was just coming here to say he rhymes with bunt but you beat me to it.

    Load More Replies...
    Load More Comments
    sturmwesen
    Community Member
    6 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It's a limited amount of time. her "Dear partner" could have sucked it up for 1 or 2 more days and they could have hashed it out after. That was not the time to throw a fit.

    Emilu
    Community Member
    6 months ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Exactly! D!ckhead Partner knows that the daughter's dad is dying, and dying soon. It's not like she's going to see him because he might die at some stage from old age, or potentially get hit by a bus, or trampled on by a zebra. Maybe. In 20 years. Doubt the daughter will forget this. Hopefully karma comes for D0uche-canoe Partner.

    Load More Replies...
    Paul C
    Community Member
    6 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    If he was so pissed off about it, he should have just said he had an appointment that made it impossible to take them. Then they could have made a taxi arrangement (or a friend etc). Giving them a lift then verbally complaining was just disgusting. The poor girl was losing her father. Last thing she needs to hear is a man whinging about taking her to the hospital.

    Earonn -
    Community Member
    6 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    OMG, what a p*****t! There's children whose Dad is dying, and he plays the drama llama. Helpfulness isn't really his forte, is it? Or compassion. Or not being a c**t.

    Lyoness
    Community Member
    6 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I was just coming here to say he rhymes with bunt but you beat me to it.

    Load More Replies...
    Load More Comments
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