42-year-old mother upset that 18-year-old daughter won't be her "emotional support" at family gatherings: '[She] said I’m being selfish'

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    AITA for refusing to be my mom's "emotional support" at family events after she ruined my graduation party? I (18F) just graduated high school in June, and my mom (42F) threw me a party to celebrate. Now, my mom has always had a rocky relationship with her side of the family- especially with her sister (my
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    aunt, 45F). They don't get. along, and every family gathering somehow turns into drama. My mom always drags me into it, making me her "buffer" or "emotional support" when things get tense.
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    At my graduation party, I just wanted to have fun and celebrate, but my mom spent the entire time gossiping to me about my aunt and how she looked "bored" or "jealous" the whole time. It got to the point where my mom pulled me aside multiple times to vent, instead of letting me hang out with my friends or enjoy the party. She was constantly on edge, worried about what my aunt would say or do, and honestly, it ruined the entire vibe for me.
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    Fast forward to now: we have another family event coming up, and my mom expects me to be her "support" again. She even told me, "You know how these things go, I need you there." I flat-out refused this time and told her I'm not getting involved in her drama anymore and that I just want to enjoy family events
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    without being stuck in the middle of her issues with her sister. She got upset and said I'm being selfish and "ungrateful" because she threw me a graduation party (which she basically ruined for me).
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    Now she's not talking to me, and my aunt even texted me saying I should "cut my mom some slack" because she's going through a lot. I get that, but I'm tired of being stuck in the middle of adult drama that has nothing to do with me.
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    AITA for refusing to be my mom's emotional support at family events, even though she's upset and feels like I'm abandoning her? Or should I just it up for the sake of family peace?
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    OP has offered the following explanation for why they think they might be the a hole: I might be the for refusing to be my mom's emotional support at family events
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    JosieJOK 5h ago • • NTA. Your mom's an adult and needs to deal with her own problems instead of piling them onto you. Tell her so. Your aunt has a lot of nerve telling you to cut your mother some slack, considering that your mother's terrible relationship with her contributed to the ruination of your graduation party. Tell her to shut up and stay in her lane.
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    Maybe give both your mother and your aunt a time-out (mute them for awhile) and enjoy the peace & quiet.
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    ImpeccableStu... NTA it doesn't matter even if you're family, a woman in her 40s shouldn't be dependent on a teenager for "emotional support"
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    Fall_In_LoveX . 5h ago Definitely NTA . It sounds like your mom has been relying on you to manage her grown woman conflicts which is entirely inappropriate
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    Cali-GirlSB · 5h ago • Tell her she can put on her big girl and talk with her sister instead of being a hateful gossip. She won't invite you next time. NTA
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    KaetzenOrkester • 5h ago You're NTA and you're also not your mother's emotional support human, not matter what she says or thinks.
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    o2low 5h ago • NTA. The irony that your aunt of all people is encouraging you to help your mother...... It's not your job and should never have been your job to hold up a grown woman emotionally. You get to decide what you put up with.
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    Ich_bin_keine_... Text aunt back and say something like "You're right, she is going through a lot. Thanks for being understanding and sitting this one out. I'm sure you and she can work on your issues, outside of events. meant to be fun and drama-free. Thanks again for bowing out gracefully!"
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    KosmaJay • 5h ago. NTA. Your mom is a grown adult who needs to figure things out on her own. Your life is barely beginning. Set boundaries and keep them up because that's not your job nor your business whenever she feels compelled to make you her buffer. It's not fair to you, and you'll be emotionally exhausted. The aunt can say her two cents, but that's it: what goes on between you two is not her business. Set your boundaries, and you'll be okay.

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