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AIBU?

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TW: CSA | To still be upset by what my dad said a couple of years ago?

34 replies

ShadowTheHedgehog · 18/05/2025 12:08

Me and my dad have never really had much of a real relationship. My parents split when I was around 7 and I'd go to his on weekends. The weekends became every other weekend, then once a month or not at all. He'd always promise he would come and see me and I'd sit at the window waiting for him and he wouldn't come. One weekend, I was finally staying at his and I was so happy, he then tells me that he's leaving (he moved from England to Wales). He left because he got another woman pregnant whilst he was still with my mom, and then a few weeks after he left, my sibling was born.

My mother and I started to visit some relatives on her side as she had been told one of her elderly relatives was terminally ill. After the terminally ill relative passed away, we continued to make trips to see the family during easter holidays, christmas etc. I began to experience CSA (my "cousin", he is 4 years older than me). It took me a while before I told my mom, she was in bits.

My mom called my dad to tell him what happened and he never called to ask about me and didn't come back to see me.

Anyway, a couple of years ago me and my dad were having a conversation in the car and I asked him "why did you not come back when that was happening to me?" and he told me "you just weren't my priority at the time".

This eats me up inside and sometimes makes me feel worthless. But I also feel like I should get over it as the conversation was a couple of years ago, on the other hand, I wasn't important enough to him, during one of the most traumatising moments in my life, after he had just walked out on us too. I just don't know how to move forward from this and I feel that it's silly and unreasonable to still be thinking about it.

OP posts:
sprigatito · 18/05/2025 12:22

Just make damn sure he is never your priority, nor that of your children. He has forfeited his right to a loving family. I’m so sorry OP, I know that however much we tell you he is a faulty human being and his deficiencies are no reflection on you, you’re still going to carry that dark spot on your heart. I have a mother who is incapable of love, so I know how bleak it is. I have found healing in giving my children the emotional foundations I didn’t have.

mindutopia · 18/05/2025 12:22

But it wasn’t a conversation. It was a whole period of your life when you needed his protection and support. And he abandoned you. Of course, it’s okay to feel angry. Actually, the only normal healthy response is anger and rejection.

When I disclosed my experiences of abuse to my mum as an adult, her response was, I always expected this sort of thing from you. And then she gave me the silent treatment and didn’t speak to me for three months.

We are NC now. Therapy helped tremendously. I can’t recommend enough how important it is to have someone outside your family validate your feelings and experiences. It was almost like I didn’t realise how f-ing weird it was to not care that your child was abused until someone else showed me how a normal healthy person should respond.

ShadowTheHedgehog · 18/05/2025 12:19

Thanks all. Im 26 now and some days I just feel like a scared little kid all over again

OP posts:
QueenOfSwedenRose · 18/05/2025 12:17

You did nothing wrong then and now. Only him. Only blame him. Not yourself

Evaka · 18/05/2025 12:17

God, what a piece of shit. Im so sorry OP. He didn't deserve to have children at all. I hope you find peace x

Sahara123 · 18/05/2025 12:16

It’s horrible how these comments from someone who is supposed to love you more than anything stick with you isn’t it. Mine was being told that I never had anything interesting to say when I was about 18 and trying my best to talk to this parent . Still hurts and it’s probably nearly 50 years ago now!
Sometimes I think that this parent just wasn’t very happy and had mental health issues. And then other times I think what a nasty thing to say to a shy teenager. It’s definitely not you OP, that was a thoughtless, horrible thing to say. Ideally you’d say it was him, not you, and try to forget about it, but that is very much easier said than done x

freshpyjamas · 18/05/2025 12:16

He can fuck off. He’s a shit parent and a shit person. This is a him problem OP, you are better off without the twat.

Branleuse · 18/05/2025 12:15

I think your dad clearly wouldnt know how to prioritise anything other than his own dick.
You are so much better than him. He says something like that so flippantly, as if its just nothing, but you are still replaying those words. He is callous. I don't think he will ever be the father you needed. Im glad you had your mum in your corner.
None of this is your fault.

TheSlantedOwl · 18/05/2025 12:10

Don’t let this affect your self esteem OP - HE is the one who should feel shame, he’s totally inadequate.

He can fuck off. Substandard bastard.

Sending a hug.