All parents have their own idea of what it means to raise a child well.
So did this couple, who believed they’d done a pretty good job and were looking forward to celebrating their son’s acceptance into a competitive PhD physics program over dinner.
But the evening took a turn when their son dropped an emotional bombshell. He told them he felt unloved his entire life—convinced they loved each other more than him—and that he no longer wanted to stay in contact.
His father has turned to Reddit for advice on how to deal with the fallout. Read the full story below.
The parents thought it would be a night of celebration after their son got into a competitive PhD physics program
Image credits: ArthurHidden / Freepik (not the actual photo)
But instead, they were stunned when he admitted he’s never felt truly loved and doesn’t want to be in their lives anymore
Image credits: freepik / Freepik (not the actual photo)
Image credits: Ahmed / Unsplash (not the actual photo)
Image credits: worrieddad27
Some readers chimed in with similar experiences
Many sided with the couple’s son, saying his feelings were valid and the parents were in the wrong
One commenter did speak up in defense of the parents
The dad later shared that he had one more meeting with his son and revealed how it went
Image credits: bokodi / Freepik (not the actual photo)
Image credits: Mary Taylor / Pexels (not the actual photo)
Image credits: Kateryna Hliznitsova / Unsplash (not the actual photo)
Image credits: EyeEm / Freepik (not the actual photo)
Image credits: Kaboompics / Pexels (not the actual photo)
Image credits: Wavebreak Media / Freepik (not the actual photo)
Image credits: zinkevych / Freepik (not the actual photo)
Image credits: worrieddad27
Most readers agreed the outcome was deserved
With a few others sharing final stories of their own
