‘He wasn't my dad... He was Greg’: 17-year-old son refuses to consider his stepdad a father figure after he falsely brags about being ‘the dad that stepped up’

Author image for Lana DeGaetano
Lana DeGaetano • "Show me to me please."
Mar 6, 2025 11:00 PM EST

Children of divorce usually have a tale or two about one of their parents failing to provide one thing or another for them after the split is finalized. After all, they might have a legal obligation to you that was set in stone by divorce proceedings and custody documents, but they don't need to show you love. If they aren't in your life half of the time and are no longer bound to a marriage, you might not even want them around at all. But, there are many separated couples who do right by their children without the drama. The 17-year-old teen in this story is living proof, but his step dad his trying to change that narrative to make himself feel better.

The 17-year-old's stepdad tells everyone he comes across that he is "the dad that stepped up" even though his step kids' biological father is very much involved and, well, a great dad. The teen is upset that his stepdad is spreading these rumors about his bio dad, so he calls out "Greg" for his arrogant behavior and explains to his stepdad that he'll never consider him a father. Scroll to read.

Add as a preferred
source on Google
Advertisement

  • 17 years old is old enough to see a situation for what it is. Seeing eye-to-eye with a new adult in the house, especially after being familiar with another for the first decade and a half of your life, is not easy. But childish behavior from an adult is inexcusable, especially when that adult is supposed to be taking on a fatherly role in three children's' lives. The stepdad in this story isn't afraid to spread rumors about these kids' bio dad, even though he's been stellar toward them throughout the entire separation. It's obvious that the step dad just wants brownie points for coming into the kids' lives after the hard stuff.

  • "He'll never get his ego stroked like he wants to."
    via mohamad azaam for Unsplash

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

  • "AITA for calling my stepdad arrogant and a liar for saying he's not a stepdad but the dad who stepped up and the dad we needed?"

    My parents divorced 13 years go. I'm (17m) their oldest kid and then there's my two sisters (15f, 14f). Our parents share custody of us. Both show up for us. Both
    via Slow_Juggernaut_5738
  • support us in extra curriculars and pay for our things and provide for us. My dad was always around and he never acted like a deadbeat dad. When I was 7 my mom met her husband
    via Slow_Juggernaut_5738
  • and they got married after dating for like 5 months or something crazy like that. At first I thought he was okay. My sisters never liked him much. My youngest sister used to cry every time he
    via Slow_Juggernaut_5738
  • tried to pick her up or interact with her. But mom married him anyway. It was like two months after they got married when my stepdad told someone he wasn't a stepdad but the dad who stepped up. He said the three of
    via Slow_Juggernaut_5738
  • us had needed a dad and he was glad to rise to the occasion. I asked my mom why he said that when we had a dad. She said people think less of stepparents
    via Slow_Juggernaut_5738
  • for some weird reason and he wanted it clear that he was our dad too. I said it sounded like we didn't have a dad though. She told me it wasn't like that.
    via Slow_Juggernaut_5738
  • The next time he said it I told my stepdad it bothered me and he said he was just so proud to be our dad. I said he wasn't dad though and he was "Greg". I was punished for saying that and
    via Slow_Juggernaut_5738
  • mom told me it's wrong to scream at a stepparent "you're not my mom or dad" and it hurt feelings. I hadn't screamed but my mom said it didn't matter if you screamed it or said it because it was hurtful.
    via Slow_Juggernaut_5738
  • I ended up telling dad about it and my sisters did too when they realized what he was saying. Our dad talked to our mom but I don't think she cared about his feelings. I told him about it a few
    via Slow_Juggernaut_5738
  • feelings. I told him about it a few more times and I remember my mom and stepdad being so ped at dad all of a sudden so I guess he tried to make a bigger deal out of it.
    via Slow_Juggernaut_5738
  • Cheezburger Image 10475470336
    via Getty Images For Unsplash+

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

  • My stepdad started saying it more, mom started saying it too and posted it on socials a lot. It got on our nerves a lot and my sisters dislike for him spread to all three of us over time. So much
    via Slow_Juggernaut_5738
  • that now I'm only going to mom's house because my sisters have to since they're under 17 and that's the age where our choice has
    via Slow_Juggernaut_5738
  • some weight in court. I could stop going. But I decided to stand by my sisters until I'm 18. It's been painful but at least we can vent to each other easier.
    via Slow_Juggernaut_5738
  • My mom and stepdad had some friends over at the weekend and my stepdad started his BS off again when one of his friends stepkids told his friend that he wasn't his dad and to go away.
    via Slow_Juggernaut_5738
  • My stepdad was like oh don't worry and eventually they'll realize without you they won't have a dad and you're the dad he needs, speaking from experience and all that bulls . He said
    via Slow_Juggernaut_5738
  • neither one of them was stepdads because they were actually the dad's who stepped up and were needed by the kids. I got so mad hearing him say that sh again and I called him arrogant and a liar. I said we
    via Slow_Juggernaut_5738
  • got so mad hearing him say that sh again and I called him arrogant and a liar. I said we didn't need him and if anything he made our lives worse. I said my sisters never liked him and I eventually saw why and he
    via Slow_Juggernaut_5738
  • needed to accept that he didn't do more for us than our dad, he wasn't more involved or even equally as involved and that he was never going to be appreciated or wanted like he believed and he needed to stop
    via Slow_Juggernaut_5738
  • up other people's relationships with their stepkids by filling their heads with such bs. I also said he has his own kids now and should focus on them instead of us because he'll never get his ego stroked like he wants to.
    via Slow_Juggernaut_5738
  • Of course I got into trouble for my outburst and I was basically grounded until I got to my dad's house. My mom blamed my dad for it and said he filled our heads with disrespect for her husband and it made me feel bad that dad was getting blamed. So I wonder if I'm TA for saying all that instead of letting it go?
    via Slow_Juggernaut_5738
  • Younggod9 NTA You spoke your truth. Dude's trying to play hero but doesn't get that respect isn't given it's earned. He stepped into a role but forgot the foundation was already set your real dad was holding it down you're not obligated to validate his ego especially when he's creating tension with the real bond you have. If mom and him can't see that that's on them not you
    via Younggod9
  • Temporary_Alfalfa686 Good lord what a pain in the a pathetic person he is and your mom too. Maybe "mom knock it off or I will go lc with you until my sisters are 18 and then it's nc."
    via Temporary_Alfalfa686
  • Efficient Way6064 NTA bro been gaslighting y'all for years tryna rewrite reality glad you finally snapped.
    via Efficient_Way6064

Want More? Follow Us and Add Us as a Preferred Source on Google.

Tags

family drama drama reddit story family feud parenting entitled people karma divorce entitled family stepdad reddit thread Reddit Parenting Fail entitled people Parenting FAILS
Scroll Down For The Next Article