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Parent Wonders How Bad They Messed Up After Hysterically Laughing At Son’s Entitlement
Man laughing loudly sitting on a couch, illustrating a teen breaking a new chair one day after getting it.

Parent Wonders How Bad They Messed Up After Hysterically Laughing At Son’s Entitlement

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Being a parent is hard enough as it is. But when you’re raising a child who has serious anger issues, it’s an even greater challenge. Throw some entitlement, narcissism, and teenage hormones into the mix, and you have a powder keg waiting for you at home. And sometimes, you can’t help but laugh at the absurdity of the situation.

One parent asked the AITA online community whether they were a jerk for uncontrollably laughing at their son, who, in a fit of gamer rage, destroyed his Christmas present. Not only that, but the teenager had the audacity to ask for a replacement gift. Scroll down for the full story and the internet’s verdict.

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    While multiplayer games can be frustrating at times, losing at them is no excuse for massive fits of rage and destroying things

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    A parent asked the internet to weigh in on a tough situation at home. They revealed how their teenager, who has anger and entitlement issues, went nuclear while gaming

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    In order to have a healthier relationship with your emotions, you first need to understand the core reasons behind your anger

    If your child’s anger issues get to the point where even minor mistakes or social interactions make them lose their cool, you might need the help of a mental health expert.

    A therapist with a background in either anger management or teenage development might be able to help them reframe their experiences and give them the tools to calm down when they get frustrated.

    Meanwhile, your teenager will need parental support at home while they learn to handle their incredibly intense emotions.

    According to the Cleveland Clinic, anger management therapy teaches you coping skills. What’s more, during your sessions, you delve into what’s actually making you angry at your core. Your therapist might ask you the following questions:

    • What makes you angry?
    • What are you really angry about?
    • Is the intensity of your anger appropriate for the situation?
    • Is your anger masking another emotion? For example, fear, anxiety, hurt, or shame?
    • How does anger feel in your body?

    Some anger management coping skills include things like cognitive restructuring (changing the way you think about situations) so that you don’t dwell on or exaggerate negative feelings.

    For instance, thinking that a specific situation is the ‘worst thing’ that has ever happened to you is unhealthy. A healthier, more nuanced perspective would be to acknowledge that the situation might be bad, that it’s okay to be upset, but that things aren’t catastrophic.

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    There are lots of different skills that you can learn so that you can express your emotions in a mature way

    Another important coping mechanism is developing your communication skills so that you’re better equipped to express your anger. The goal isn’t to suppress your feelings, but to talk about them in healthier ways.

    Meanwhile, relaxation techniques, including meditation, yoga, and breathing exercises, can also help you restructure your relationship with anger.

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    Ideally, you’ll begin to pause more often to respond to situations. And you’ll let go of your frustrations instead of ruminating and rehashing them over and over again.

    Verywell Mind stresses that anger management therapy can help you improve your mental and physical health, improve your school life or career, and reduce the damage that you do to your relationships. When you lash out at others, you alienate them while also taking a toll on your well-being.

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    “Anger often harms loved ones the most and can take a toll on your relationships with them. It can make it difficult for others to be comfortable around you, erode their trust and respect, and be especially damaging to children.”

    What’s your perspective, dear Pandas? Do you think the parent was in the wrong to laugh at their son’s entitlement, or do you think their reaction was justified?

    How would you have handled things if your child destroyed their Xmas gift in a fit of rage? Do you know anyone who is susceptible to gamer rage? Let us know what you think in the comments below.

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    Most readers were on the parent’s side. Here’s their take on things

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    Some internet users, however, thought that everyone reacted poorly

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    Meanwhile, a handful of people called the parent out for how they handled their teen’s fit of rage

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    Jonas Grinevičius

    Jonas Grinevičius

    Writer, Senior Writer

    Read more »

    Storytelling, journalism, and art are a core part of who I am. I've been writing and drawing ever since I could walk—there is nothing else I'd rather do. My formal education, however, is focused on politics, philosophy, and economics because I've always been curious about the gap between the ideal and the real.At work, I'm a Senior Writer and I cover a broad range of topics that I'm passionate about: from psychology and changes in work culture to healthy living, relationships, and design.In my spare time, I'm an avid hiker and reader, enjoy writing short stories, and love to doodle.I thrive when I'm outdoors, going on small adventures in nature. However, you can also find me enjoying a big mug of coffee with a good book (or ten) and entertaining friends with fantasy tabletop games and sci-fi movies.

    Read less »
    Jonas Grinevičius

    Jonas Grinevičius

    Writer, Senior Writer

    Storytelling, journalism, and art are a core part of who I am. I've been writing and drawing ever since I could walk—there is nothing else I'd rather do. My formal education, however, is focused on politics, philosophy, and economics because I've always been curious about the gap between the ideal and the real.At work, I'm a Senior Writer and I cover a broad range of topics that I'm passionate about: from psychology and changes in work culture to healthy living, relationships, and design.In my spare time, I'm an avid hiker and reader, enjoy writing short stories, and love to doodle.I thrive when I'm outdoors, going on small adventures in nature. However, you can also find me enjoying a big mug of coffee with a good book (or ten) and entertaining friends with fantasy tabletop games and sci-fi movies.

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

    It's amazing the amount of comments which seems to think that the son being in therapy for anger issues somehow means that they get a free card for bad behaviour and should be treated with kid gloves. This is not a small child, it's a 17 year old who should fully understand consequences. The father was not laughing at him for losing his temper etc , he laughed at him for thinking that he is entitled to break something expensive, and automatically have it replaced by his parents. That is not a reasonable view point, and does not need to be validated by being treated as such. A 5 year old yes, as they are still coming to terms with actions and consequences, but 17 years old is old enough for that be better treated as ridiculous

    Nikole
    Community Member
    3 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    He's almost a legal adult! Man, this is kind of scary, especially since he destroyed his own stuff. To me, that's crazier.

    Load More Replies...
    kissmychakram
    Community Member
    3 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Laughing at absurdity is a normal reaction. Breaking furniture isn't. In an ideal world Dad shouldn't have laughed but this completely understandable instinctual reaction absolutely doesn't make him an arséhole.

    liam newton-harding
    Community Member
    3 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I love the YTA's who appear to be psychotically in control of their emotions at all times. The air must be quite thin, up there, on their high horses.

    Load More Comments
    Andy
    Community Member
    3 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It's amazing the amount of comments which seems to think that the son being in therapy for anger issues somehow means that they get a free card for bad behaviour and should be treated with kid gloves. This is not a small child, it's a 17 year old who should fully understand consequences. The father was not laughing at him for losing his temper etc , he laughed at him for thinking that he is entitled to break something expensive, and automatically have it replaced by his parents. That is not a reasonable view point, and does not need to be validated by being treated as such. A 5 year old yes, as they are still coming to terms with actions and consequences, but 17 years old is old enough for that be better treated as ridiculous

    Nikole
    Community Member
    3 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    He's almost a legal adult! Man, this is kind of scary, especially since he destroyed his own stuff. To me, that's crazier.

    Load More Replies...
    kissmychakram
    Community Member
    3 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Laughing at absurdity is a normal reaction. Breaking furniture isn't. In an ideal world Dad shouldn't have laughed but this completely understandable instinctual reaction absolutely doesn't make him an arséhole.

    liam newton-harding
    Community Member
    3 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I love the YTA's who appear to be psychotically in control of their emotions at all times. The air must be quite thin, up there, on their high horses.

    Load More Comments
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