Entitled mother accuses university student daughter of being selfish for refusing to watch her dogs during engineering finals while she takes a two week impromptu vacation: 'My exams are extremely demanding'

Author image for Blake Seidel
Blake Seidel • Managing Editor & Brand Manager
Aug 31, 2025 11:00 AM EDT

It's been a while since we were at university, but we still remember the stress of finals week. Not only the physical exams, but it's also the term papers that are due, as well as any other random classwork you have to finish by the end of the year. It's two weeks of doing nothing other than eating, sleeping, and studying. Sometimes, not even the sleeping part. Your exams are important, they can be a crucial part of deciding your future. If you wish to continue your education after, doing well on your university exams (which usually count for around 25% of your overall grade) is something you need to devote your entire schedule do.

Well, not everyone cares as much about getting good grades and one's future aswe do. The irony of this story is that the mother, who is demanding her engineering student daughter come and watch her dogs while she takes a 2-week impromptu vacation in the middle of finals week, is calling her daughter "selfish", when she is the one being selfish! Firstly, if she wanted her daughter to take care of her dogs for free, she should have consulted her first. Secondly, if she has the money to pay for a two-week vacation, she can pay for a professional dog sitter. That's just our two cents, though.

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  • 01

    Am I overreacting for telling my mom I won't dog-sit after she booked a vacation during my finals week?

    Stressed woman studying with dog including 'Any other parent would be supportive and not be sabotaging their child's exam schedule'
    via Syda Productions

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 02
    My mom is planning a two-week vacation with her friends. She called me last night to tell me the dates and to let me know she'd need me to stay at her house to watch her two large, high-energy dogs. The week
    via cehegin4905
  • 03
    she's chosen is right in the middle of my university finals. I'm an engineering student, and my exams are incredibly demanding. I need that week to be completely focused on studying and resting.
    via cehegin4905
  • 04
    I reminded her that it was my finals week and that I couldn't commit to taking care of the dogs, which involves multiple walks a day and a lot of attention. She got immediately defensive. She said I was being dramatic and that I could "just study at her house," and that family helps each other out. I stood my ground and said no, that it was too much pressure and I couldn't risk my grades.
    via cehegin4905

  • Not every student manages to have a life during exams, we certainly didn't. There would be days when we didn't leave our rooms except to get some fresh air. Especially the day right before the exam. Trying to imagine taking care of multiple dogs in the meantime sounds like a nightmare. So many breaks. At least three walks a day, plus playtime… and any other random emergencies that may come up. No thanks!

  • 05
    Now she's furious. She's accusing me of being selfish and unsupportive, saying she already booked the non- refundable tickets and that I've put her in a terrible position. She says every other student manages to have a life during
    via cehegin4905
  • 06
    finals and that I'm using it as an excuse to get out of helping her. I feel incredibly guilty because. she's my mom and she rarely asks me for big favors, but I also feel like she completely disregarded my priorities and my stress.
    via cehegin4905
  • 07
    Test pages 16 (csc0-sin0) cos² 0. tan-sin² 0. seco-sin² 0. 25 16 -3) (x-4) + 25 12. (15) 13. B 14. B 15. cot-sin² 0. sin² 0. 16. A E 17. A B Which expresses 18. A B 19 A 4 44
    via sasirin pamai's images

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 08
    STS1990 4h ago . NOR. Your mom is being extremely inconsiderate. She didn't even ASK you, she TOLD you. Yeah, no thanks. If she can pay for vacation, she can pay a dog sitter to come stay at her house and watch the dogs. How many other university students
    via STS1990
  • 09
    does she know very closely to know that finals weeks students are out and about partying and having a life outside studying and doing the exams? EVERYONE I know in University (including Engineering friends) did nothing but study the whole 2 weeks some even taking days -
    via STS1990
  • 10
    off from work the day before exam and day of exams, so they don't have to stress about anything else. So your mom is WILDLY incorrect. The people who are off doing whatever are usually slackers or people who don't have to study a ton to pass
    via STS1990
  • 11
    their grades.... aka actors, and even then, they STILL have exams they need to do to complete Uni. SOOOO... yeaaaah. Your mom is ride. She should hire someone. You need to stick to your guns and just focus on you and your studies. <3 She'll get over it, and if she doesn't? Well, that's what therapy is for.
    via STS1990

  • Parents can be tough to deal with sometimes. They grew up in a different world than we did. They expect different things of their kids than we would of our own. But that's still no excuse to treat your daughter like a free babysitter. It's unrealistic, even for family, to be expected to drop everything you're doing and watch someone's dogs for two weeks.

  • 12
    egg_sandwich ⚫4h ago Not overreacting at all. She is the one being selfish trying to prioritize her wants over your NEEDS. You need to be successful in school. She wants a vacation, doesn't need one. She wants to have it on those particular dates, doesn't need to do it those days.
    via egg_sandwich
  • 13
    As someone who dog sits for family it is a ton of work and distraction, don't let her convince you otherwise when you know the reality. Stick to your guns the best you can and good luck!
    via egg_sandwich
  • 14
    Impossible_Balance11 4h ago Guarantee you are not the only human who can take care of her dogs while she's away. Let her tantrum. She can hire someone to live-in or put them in a kennel. Stand your ground. NOR
    via Impossible_Balance11
  • 15
    Dogs sitting outside
    via PK-Photos

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 16
    grayblue_grrl • 3h ago Your mother is projecting. Which of you is selfish, unsupportive and putting the other in a terrible position?
    via grayblue_grrl
  • 17
    She made those plans without your consent. She can make other plans. There are boarding kennels. Stop feeling guilty. Your mom obviously doesn't care how you feel or what you are doing, especially if it is inconvenient to her.
    via grayblue_grrl
  • 18
    Tell her "any other parent would be supportive and not be sabotaging their child's exam schedule with fights and bulls guilt trips. They work around stressful times like that and don't compound them by being selfish and throwing temper tantrums.
    via grayblue_grrl
  • 19
    It's a holiday. Deal with YOUR DOGS mom.." YOU should not feel guilty. THAT is an over reaction to the manipulation and conniving your mother is doing. Don't give her that either.
    via grayblue_grrl
  • 20
    shackndon2020 4h ago . "She said I was being dramatic" "Family helps each other out" -10 for originality
    via shackndon2020
  • 21
    phyncke • 4h ago She can get a professional pet sitter. She totally has options. Stand firm
    via phyncke
  • 22
    00Lisa00 4h ago She can pay a dog sitter. She should have checked the dates before booking
    via 00Lisa00
  • 23
    TheOpinion Share • 3h ago . NOR. She is the one being dramatic. She can stay her a home and be supportive of you because family helps each other out
    via TheOpinionShare
  • 24
    Her side is a vacation that is nonrefundable, but she didn't plan for it properly. Your side is college exams, which impact you GPA and your resume (at least until you have real experience to promote). Your worst case scenario is failing, causing a
    via TheOpinionShare
  • 25
    blemish on your school record and requiring you to repeat courses - which costs time (months!) and money. I don't see any way that her stuff can be argued as more important than yours.
    via TheOpinionShare
  • 26
    She created her predicament; there is no reason for you to have to save her. She'll just have to make other arrangements either for the dogs or for her trip. Plus, she needs to learn this lesson: You are becoming an adult with your own priorities and decisions. She can't just expect you to follow her orders.
    via TheOpinionShare
  • 27
    . rocksparadox4414 3h ago My son is an Electrical Engineering major and finals week, life outside of his finals literally ceases to exist. Studying for these is his sole focus. My son isn't a person who is just coasting through college getting minimum grades to stay afloat. He has a 3.85 GPA and it is important to him to maintain that.
    via rocksparadox4414
  • 28
    Your Mom was extremely disrespectful to you to book this holiday without first consulting with you and ASKING whether the week in question worked for you. That holds true even if you weren't studying an extremely demanding and difficult major
    via rocksparadox4414
  • 29
    and were now part of the workforce. If people need favours from other people, they should check first that it works with the favour giver's schedule. Otherwise, they need to hire someone. NOR
    via rocksparadox4414
  • 30
    Infinite-Barnacle884 4h ago "No" is a complete sentence. Use it without guilt. Your future is at stake here. If your Mom needs her dogs sat, she can put them in a kennel for a couple of weeks. A reputable kennel will take good care of them.
    via Infinite-Barnacle884

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dogs university finals dog sitting selfish finals week pet sitting dog owners animals college exams entitled people
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