Being a child can be really tough; after all, they have to depend on their parents for everything. However, it must feel horrible if their mother or father simply refuses to take responsibility for them. In this evil world, we do come across some people like this.

Just look at this teen, for instance, whose father abandoned him as a child and even displayed contempt when he saw him around. It took therapy for the kid to get his life on track, but his dad’s stepkid started forcing him to “bond,” so here’s what he did!

More info: Reddit

Children are so vulnerable that sometimes, they can remember every hurt that their parents cause them

Teen boy hugging woman, showing acceptance despite dad’s absence, reflecting challenges with stepsibling bonding.

Teen boy hugging woman, showing acceptance despite dad's absence, reflecting challenges with stepsibling bonding. - 1

When the poster was 5, his dad got a DUI while he was in the car, after which, the man abandoned him and got his own family

Text discussing a teen accepting dad’s absence and facing challenges bonding with stepsiblings years later.

Text discussing a teen accepting dad’s absence and facing challenges bonding with stepsiblings years later. - 2

Text on a white background stating a man was fined but served no time because it was his first offense.

Text on a white background stating a man was fined but served no time because it was his first offense. - 3

Text excerpt about a teen accepting dad’s absence and missing supervised visitation sessions.

Text excerpt about a teen accepting dad’s absence and missing supervised visitation sessions. - 4

Teen boy lying on couch, focused on his phone, reflecting on a strained relationship with absent dad and stepsiblings.

Teen boy lying on couch, focused on his phone, reflecting on a strained relationship with absent dad and stepsiblings. - 5

He also didn’t pay child support to the poster’s mom, and whenever he saw them on the street, the contempt was evident on his face

Text excerpt from a teen explaining their absent dad never paid child support and financial struggles during childhood.

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Text excerpt showing a teen reflecting on accepting dad’s absence and challenges bonding with stepsiblings.

Text excerpt showing a teen reflecting on accepting dad’s absence and challenges bonding with stepsiblings. - 7

Text excerpt about abandoned teen coming to terms with dad’s absence and tension with stepsiblings over bonding.

Text excerpt about abandoned teen coming to terms with dad’s absence and tension with stepsiblings over bonding. - 8

Man holding two children in a field, representing childhood and family dynamics involving absent dad and stepsiblings issues.

Man holding two children in a field, representing childhood and family dynamics involving absent dad and stepsiblings issues. - 9

It took therapy for the poster to deal with all this, and just when he was done with his dad, the man’s stepkid showed up, asking to “bond”

Text describing a teen who accepts dad’s absence and shares feelings about not bonding with stepsiblings years later.

Text describing a teen who accepts dad’s absence and shares feelings about not bonding with stepsiblings years later. - 10

Text excerpt discussing a teen’s stepkid reaching out to bond despite the dad’s absence and family tensions.

Text excerpt discussing a teen's stepkid reaching out to bond despite the dad’s absence and family tensions. - 11

Text excerpt from a personal story about denying bonding with stepsiblings after accepting dad’s absence.

Text excerpt from a personal story about denying bonding with stepsiblings after accepting dad’s absence. - 12

Teen girl outdoors looking at phone, reflecting on family challenges and stepsibling relationships.

Teen girl outdoors looking at phone, reflecting on family challenges and stepsibling relationships. - 13

He straight-up refused, as he wanted nothing to do with the man who abandoned him, but then his dad’s wife also started harassing him

Text excerpt discussing family issues and the impact of an abandoned teen dealing with dad’s absence and stepsibling relationships.

Text excerpt discussing family issues and the impact of an abandoned teen dealing with dad’s absence and stepsibling relationships. - 14

Text excerpt discussing a woman contacting someone’s mom and causing a difficult situation within family dynamics.

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Text excerpt about a teen’s experience with abandonment and challenges bonding with stepsiblings later.

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Text about a teen who accepts dad’s absence and faces criticism for not bonding with stepsiblings at school.

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Text post stating indifference about sharing blood relation and refusing to bond with stepsiblings, seeking judgment.

Text post stating indifference about sharing blood relation and refusing to bond with stepsiblings, seeking judgment. - 18

In fact, the woman also contacted his mom, but she told him to call the cops on them if they kept harassing him constantly

Today’s story is quite intense as the original poster (OP) tells us about his childhood when his parents were getting a divorce. He was just 5 years old when his dad got a DUI, while he was in the car, after which the man never came to meet him, and pretended OP didn’t exist. However, as they lived close by, when he saw his ex and son, the man either walked past them or glared in anger.

He also didn’t pay child support, and the poor poster was pained by his father’s behavior. In fact, he had to go to therapy just to get past the hurt, until one day, he stopped caring about it. Life moved on for them, and his dad ended up being a stepdad to his wife’s daughter, and they also had two kids together, but OP didn’t care about any of them.

However, things got complicated when his father’s stepdaughter suddenly demanded that he bond with her and their half-siblings. Our guy was taken aback, but made it clear that he was not interested. Much to his dismay, it didn’t stop there, as she started telling everyone in school that they were related. Even his school counselor inquired why he didn’t want to bond with his “ siblings .”

Her mom also accosted OP, and he reiterated the same thing: that they were not family. Well, the lady had the nerve to call up his mom and whine about it. However, his mother told him clearly that if she ever approached him again, he should just go ahead and call the cops. After all, why should he be forced into something that he never wanted in the first place?

Woman in a yellow sweater outdoors expressing confusion or frustration, illustrating abandoned teen accepting dad’s absence concept.

Woman in a yellow sweater outdoors expressing confusion or frustration, illustrating abandoned teen accepting dad’s absence concept. - 19

After the poster vented online, netizens were horrified by the fact that his father was driving in an inebriated state while he was in the car. It shows how little the man cared about his son from the start. Also, the fact that he abandoned him after that incident seems like he was holding the child accountable for his own mistake. Ugh, what a truly horrible fellow!

Research states that parental neglect or abandonment can be a significant source of trauma, but it is often overlooked in older teens. It further elaborates that the children who experience it may struggle with self-image or self-esteem as adults. No wonder the poor poster was so disturbed by it all, but at least he took a sensible decision by going to therapy and getting treated.

However, just when he thought he was in a good place, his dad’s stepkid and wife started harassing him. Experts stress that “Harassment can have serious and long-lasting effects on the victim’s physical and mental health. They may experience PTSD, which can cause symptoms such as anxiety, depression and flashbacks long after the harassment has ended.”

Looking at these severe consequences, his mom was right to suggest calling the cops. Data shows that in the US, penalties for harassment can result in serious legal consequences, including jail time, fines, probation, restraining orders, and a criminal record. Well, I hope the mother and daughter leave the teen alone, but if not, he should definitely do what’s best for himself.

Netizens were aghast that the stepkid even got their school counselor to harass the poster to form a relationship with his dad’s family

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Reddit user discusses feelings about abandoned teen accepting dad’s absence and challenges bonding with stepsiblings years later.

Reddit user discusses feelings about abandoned teen accepting dad’s absence and challenges bonding with stepsiblings years later. - 22

Reddit user discusses accepting dad’s absence and facing backlash for not bonding with stepsiblings years later.

Reddit user discusses accepting dad’s absence and facing backlash for not bonding with stepsiblings years later. - 23

Text comment about accepting dad’s absence and not bonding with stepsiblings, showing family relationship challenges.

Text comment about accepting dad’s absence and not bonding with stepsiblings, showing family relationship challenges. - 24

Screenshot of a Reddit comment explaining the challenges of accepting dad’s absence and relationships with stepsiblings.

Screenshot of a Reddit comment explaining the challenges of accepting dad’s absence and relationships with stepsiblings. - 25

Comment discussing an abandoned teen accepting dad’s absence and issues with bonding with stepsiblings.

Comment discussing an abandoned teen accepting dad’s absence and issues with bonding with stepsiblings. - 26

Screenshot of a forum comment advising to tell a school counselor and affirming that feelings are valid and to avoid pressure.

Screenshot of a forum comment advising to tell a school counselor and affirming that feelings are valid and to avoid pressure. - 27

Comment discussing a teen accepting dad’s absence and facing criticism for not bonding with stepsiblings.

Comment discussing a teen accepting dad’s absence and facing criticism for not bonding with stepsiblings. - 28

Comment discussing a teen’s experience with an absent dad and challenges with bonding with stepsiblings years later.

Comment discussing a teen's experience with an absent dad and challenges with bonding with stepsiblings years later. - 29

Comment discussing the impact of an abandoned teen accepting dad’s absence and issues with bonding with stepsiblings.

Comment discussing the impact of an abandoned teen accepting dad’s absence and issues with bonding with stepsiblings. - 30

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