Successful 25-year-old daughter tells 64-year-old dad he can pay for his own car and vacations after years of coming second to lazy golden child older brother: "You can pay for your own holiday, you've got a job"

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Ely Bulnes • Writer and Editor
Jul 22, 2025 4:00 PM EDT

All parents know that they shouldn't pick favorites when it comes to their children. Plenty of moms and dads genuinely don't have a favorite. Perhaps there is one kid that they understand better, that they get along with more, or who was easier to raise. But when it comes down to it, they know that they love each son and daughter equally. However, having a favorite child is a lot more common than parents want to admit. Favoring one child is unintentional, but the way that you treat your kids is no accident. Privately knowing that you have a favorite is different than actively putting a child above the rest.

In our story today, a dad cannot hide his preference for his son. He cries at his every small achievement while actively ignoring and even belittling his daughter's successes. The family favoritism finally comes to a head when he starts demanding gifts from her now that she has financial stability. Scroll down for all of the details. 

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  • 01

    AITA for telling my dad to pay for his own holidays?

    When my brother gets good news, my dad gets emotional
    via filipefrazao from Getty Images Signature
  • 02
    My (25F) dad (64M) has always favored my brother (29M), which has been clear in how he supports him
    via u/BarracudaNo3173
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    and celebrates his successes. I could go on for days with many examples but here's a pretty big one:
    via u/BarracudaNo3173
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    When my brother gets good news, my dad gets emotional and often teary eyed. In contrast, when I graduated University and hosted my
    via u/BarracudaNo3173
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    dad abroad, he whispered to my mom that he regretted coming and he wished he stayed home because he thought the dinner was too expensive
    via u/BarracudaNo3173
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    Cheezburger Image 10532105984
    via Visoot's Images

    This image is for illustration only, and the subjects are models; the image does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 07
    ($150 for 5 people), our bed was uncomfortable, and our fridge smelled of kimchi. That comment really stung, especially because he
    via u/BarracudaNo3173
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    didn't even say this to me directly, rather I overheard him as I was about to fall asleep (this was at night, I was on the couch in the other room as I gave my parents our double bed).
    via u/BarracudaNo3173
  • 09
    For context, my brother is lazy and only got his current job with help from my parents, while I moved out at 21, built an independent life, and never asked for financial help.
    via u/BarracudaNo3173

  • Since she's been independent and successful for so long, her achievements are expected, and thus, unimportant. 

  • 10
    Now, as I'm working on a business with my partner, my dad said, "If you ever want to gift us a holiday or a car,
    via u/BarracudaNo3173
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    don't feel like you need to spend too much money." He often assumes we'll pay for him.
    via u/BarracudaNo3173
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    Cheezburger Image 10532105728
    via CalypsoArt from Getty Images

    This image is for illustration only, and the subjects are models; the image does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 13
    AITA for telling him, "You can pay for your own holiday, you've got a job"?
    via u/BarracudaNo3173
  • 14
    CF_FI_Fly NTA Your golden child brother can buy him a car or vacation.
    via u/CF_FI_Fly
  • 15
    HopSnug Exactly. OP's done enough. If dad wants vacations, he can talk to his
    via u/HopSnug
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    favorite child about it. You've built your own life without their handouts that says everything.
    via u/HopSnug
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    Cheezburger Image 10532106240
    via Maridav

    This image is for illustration only, and the subjects are models; the image does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 18
    Fair Theme_9388 NTA, but was he actually serious with the comment about you giving them a vacation or a car? What a weird thing to say
    via u/Fair_Theme_9388
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    danger_muffin29 All I could think was, don't worry, I'll be sure not to spend a penny on you.
    via u/danger_muffin29

  • These are the exact types of situations that sarcasm was invented for. 

  • 20
    DotTwist Right? That comment was so off. It's like he expected OP to bankroll his wishlist just because she's doing well. Totally weird and honestly kind of entitled.
    via u/DotTwist
  • 21
    IAmTAAlways NTA, begging for a trip from the daughter he discards over kimchi?
    via u/IAmTAAlways
  • 22
    Yea, he can definitely pay for his own holiday or get the lazy brother to pay ahahahahahahahah
    via u/IAmTAAlways
  • 23
    Unforse No you are not the ah le as far as I can tell that your father is quite like a cheapskate and is more admiring of your brother.
    via u/Unforse
  • 24
    BarracudaNo3173 OP Yeah, he's not even in a tight financial spot. He's got a stable job and good salary for our country's standards. Plus he owns like 3 houses.
    via u/BarracudaNo3173
  • 25
    statslady23 NTA, but you need to start laughing at these suggestions.
    via u/statslady23
  • 26
    2bop2pie Humor is the best coping mechanism, sarcasm is often undetectable by these kinds of minds. "In that unlikely event, I'll keep it in mind."
    via u/2bop2pie

Tags

family drama brother sibling rivalry Female Empowerment siblings family feud relationships favoritism parenting dad family sister daughter golden child parents vacation
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