Neglectful parents try to take sentimental baby blanket from their 17-year-old son knitted by his beloved great grandmother for their highly anticipated baby girl: 'They told me it's like I don't even want her to exist'

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Emmy Pratt • Writer and Editor
May 26, 2024 8:00 PM EDT

Everyone has one of those sentimental items from childhood they couldn't stand to see go. Even if you're a grown man or woman, your favorite stuffed animal or blanket from your earliest years will always be near and dear to your heart. We're often put in situations where we are pressured into giving childhood items to other family members who are having young children. While I agree that some unsentimental toys or clothing items can and should be passed down to loved ones, nobody should force their family to give away the objects they love the most. 

One 17-year-old kid took to Reddit to share his tragic family situation. Ever since he was a kid, his parents wanted a baby. They didn't want "another baby," they wanted a baby. This obsession with having a kid, despite having a perfectly good one right in front of them led to some strain within the nuclear family. Now that they're finally pregnant with a baby girl, they want their son to give her the baby blanket his beloved great grandmother knitted for him.

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  • 01
    Cheezburger Image 9926786048
    via kids&me Germany
  • 02
    AITA for not giving my parents the baby blanket my great grandma made for me so they can use it for my baby sister?
    via u/Haunting-Wait-5377
  • 03
    My great grandma made a baby blanket for me when my mom was pregnant. She did that for all her kids, grandkids and then great-grandkids. I was the youngest until now. Great grandma would make it clear to the parents involved that the baby she made the blankets for should be considered the owners and it shouldn't be something they kept from us. So this is what always happened. I always had mine. My parents
    via u/Haunting-Wait-5377
  • 04
    did try to take it from me a few times but great grandma stepped in each and every time. I loved mine because she had started experimenting with her knitting and my blanket is more unique than the rest and feels just a little more personal. I treasure it despite being a 17 year old guy. I treasure it more because great grandma died when I was 10 and I miss her like crazy.
    via u/Haunting-Wait-5377
  • 05
    So my parents couldn't have more kids for years. They tried for years and even did IVF when I was 7 but didn't have another kid from it. Their focus being so set on that, I always felt like I wasn't good enough. This is something extended family brought to their attention a few times. It was comments like "I just want a baby so bad, I can't imagine my life without a child" from my mom and comments from my dad like "we feel so incomplete without a baby" that would get family members to take notic
    via u/Haunting-Wait-5377
  • 06
    of the kinds of comments that left me feeling as I do. It was never "another baby" it was always "a baby" like I was invisible. They talked about having a baby being their biggest dream. It stung so much to have their life focus around that and they'd get so depressed about not having a baby. Great grandma, before she died, told them to be thankful for "the blessing" (aka me) and how they already had a baby and they were letting me grow up without them. It didn't change anything. And I did basic
    via u/Haunting-Wait-5377
  • 07
    This was a surprise pregnancy and my parents are so excited. They did all the early tests to find out they're having a girl and they started shopping and all kinds of stuff for her. But then my mom got sad because great grandma isn't around to knit her a blanket too. So they told me they wanted mine. They didn't ask. They told me. And when I said no they grew angry. They said she deserves to have a blanket from great grandma and their baby needs one. I asked what I was and they said "an almost g
    via u/Haunting-Wait-5377
  • 08
    doing the guilt trips saying my baby sister deserves better and how can I look at myself in the mirror knowing I don't want to share this with her. They told me it's like I don't even want her to exist or I hate her for something and she's not even born yet. AITA?
    via u/Haunting-Wait-5377
  • 09
    Suspicious-8388 1 day ago NTA The blanket is yours. It was smart of you to give it to a friend for now!! Don't give it up, it is heartwarming it means so much to you!
    via u/Suspicious-8388
  • 10
    Haunting-Wait-5377 OP 1 day ago It means so much. I think a part of the reason it means so much is because it makes me feel wanted. Like great grandma loved me and that blanket is an expression of that I never feel or get with my parents.
    via u/Haunting-Wait-5377
  • 11
    miss_chapstick · 1 day ago I think they deserve to hear this.
    via u/miss_chapstick
  • 12
    Haunting-Wait-5377 OP. 1 day ago They won't listen if I tell them.
    via u/Haunting-Wait-5377
  • 13
    M3N1kk1 1 day ago Hang on to it. She made it for you and maybe one day in the future you can pass it on to your child(ren) and tell them about this special person who was so talented she made you this blanket. Keep it safe at your friend's. Best of luck
    via u/M3N1kk1
  • 14
    Gonso Gonzales . 1 day ago Lots of parents . I hope you have some good friends around you. You should always know that you are important and loved. Even if some people can't see it. You are definitely nta.
    via u/GonsoGonzales
  • 15
    PepperFinn 1 day ago I'd be cutting next time they bring it up "She deserves a nanna blanket" "And I deserve parents that actually love and wanted me but I'll never get that. I guess it's an even trade."
    via u/PepperFinn
  • 16
    SirEDCaLot 1 day ago "When others do a foolish thing, you should tell them it is a foolish thing. They can still continue to do it, but at least the truth is where it needs to be." --Dukhat Tell them. Ask for therapy with them. Because you have two paths forward- you can either do nothing, deal with it, and move out at 18 and basically not have parents. Or you can try to fix it, which might not work, but at least presents a POSSIBILITY of you getting some love.
    via u/SirEDCaLot
  • 17
    Haunting-Wait-5377 OP 1 day ago I already have my exit plan in mind. So I choose to do nothing rather than chase people who don't love me.
    via u/Haunting-Wait-5377
  • 18
    SirEDCaLot 1 day ago • So I choose to do nothing rather than chase people who don't love me. While a little cold and a lot sad, that's some seriously mature thinking, and quite wise. I was gonna say maybe they do love you but got fixated on the baby (it happens a lot) but re-reading your stuff I think you're right.
    via u/SirEDCaLot
  • 19
    FWIW you sound a lot stronger and more determined than most kids in your situation who come to Reddit for help. I do get a lot of bitterness from your writing, deservedly so, but it's still there. I'd strongly suggest once you're out and established on your own, consider some therapy. Not because you're broken, but to ensure that their abuse and neglect won't ever affect your life or relationships going forward.
    via u/SirEDCaLot
  • 20
    Haunting-Wait-5377 OP 1 day ago If this was new behavior I would like to think I'd understand and it would be the same. Like oh they're just so excited. But I never felt any love from them. I never felt like I had actual parents. They have always made me feel like something was wrong with me.
    via u/Haunting-Wait-5377
  • 21
    Therapy can help some families. But I think the very foundation between us doesn't exist for it to help. And it's not healthy to force it when it could make things more toxic.
    via u/Haunting-Wait-5377
  • 22
    . Aggravating-Pain9249 1 day ago OP, you are not the . One of your parents can learn to knit and make a blanket for their baby. Your parents didn't deserve you. Parents should be happy that they ever were lucky enough to have a single child. Many couples struggle with infertility. OFF TOPIC: I wonder if they will actually be parents to this child. They neglected you as you became an older child. They have been so fixated on having a baby, it is an obsession for them. Do you think they will chang
    via u/Aggravating-Pain9249
  • 23
    Haunting-Wait-5377 OP 1 day ago I have no idea. They seem so excited about a girl so maybe.
    via u/Haunting-Wait-5377
  • 24
    Aggravating-Pain9249 1 day ago edited 1 day ago It makes me sad to think they may repeat the mistake they made with you. You are almost out of school, and possibly going on to higher education. You are becoming an adult. Your parents may somehow try to rope in to raising this child. Babies take a lot of work. You parents have to be a bit older than most parents as you are 17.
    via u/Aggravating-Pain9249
  • 25
    This child is NOT your responsibility. It is your parent's responsibility. Take care of yourself and move out if you have to. Good Luck.
    via u/Aggravating-Pain9249
  • 26
    Upper-File462. 1 day ago I'm just going to pipe up. If you move out and the blanket comes with you, to keep it in a very safe place, ideally locked and secured location that only you know about. Make sure to take photos of it so you have evidence that it belongs to you. But firstly, I wouldn't invite or have them or anyone else entitled to my things over. They might feel like it's their right to search through your things for this blanket, even if years down the line to give to new kid.
    via u/Upper-File462
  • 27
    I'm just forwarning you because some people hold grudges and retaliate on the sly. Like they will be nice enough, just so they can come into your home to search. Don't let your guard down. Sorry you have such AH parents. Very smart move to give it to your best friend for safekeeping!
    via u/Upper-File462
  • 28
    Cloverose2 1 day ago Some people love babies but not children. Once a baby stops being cute and fully dependent they lost interest. I'm sorry your parents didn't give you the love you deserved. You are valuable and important too.
    via u/Cloverose2

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baby entitled parents crazy things parents say blankets grandma baby girl parenting blanket parent grandmother Parenting Fail baby blanket parents Parenting FAILS
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