Parents travel to attend their daughter's law school graduation abroad, only for the mother to make the entire day about herself: ‘I felt scolded, embarrassed, and overshadowed throughout the day’

Author image for Lana DeGaetano
Lana DeGaetano • "Show me to me please."
Sep 5, 2025 6:00 PM EDT

Hard work and perseverance get you a law degree, and the 23-year-old woman in this next story is no different. She was ecstatic to have her parents visit from Southeast Asia to the UK for her commencement ceremony, but soon found out that her mother only exists to diminish her achievements and ruin her mood.

Many children are forced to go no-contact with family members because of their family's jealousy, selfishness, and inability to feel empathy. Existing in a family that refuses to celebrate you, no matter how small the feat is, is difficult to say the least. Every milestone for a neglectful parent is another reason to have a family fight and make it about themselves. We know narcissistic parents are just as common as narcissistic bosses are—except parents are supposed to celebrate you and give you unconditional love. Bosses should, too, but if we're comparing the two roles in one's life…

Not only did this law school graduate's mother refuse to get her daughter flowers out of spite, but she also stole her daughter's flat shoes, which she was saving for the uphill walk to the restaurant they were going to dine at. This, of course, is on top of constant berating, arguing, and criticizing. Scroll below to read the full story.

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  • "My mum then commented that she had considered buying me flowers but 'couldn't be bothered' to go to the shops nearby since I 'rushed' her."
    via Ahmet Kurt For Unsplash+

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

  • "Worst graduation day ever"

    I (23F) recently graduated with my law degree, flew in to celebrate with me. We booked an Airbnb together, and I was really looking forward to the day being something special for all of us.
    via tunaonigiri12
  • On the morning of the ceremony, I left early to register because we had a scheduled family photoshoot beforehand. (Before I left, I was getting scolded by my mum while getting ready bcs I didn't have time to help her do her hair)
    via tunaonigiri12
  • I had already let my parents know what time to arrive, but they came a bit late. When I called to check where they were, they felt I was rushing them. By the time they arrived, they were flustered, and while we
    via tunaonigiri12
  • were waiting in line, my mum mentioned her eye makeup had smudged "because I rushed her." My dad then snapped at me in front of people, saying I stressed him out. I ended up in tears before the photos even started. They
    via tunaonigiri12
  • were waiting in line, my mum mentioned her eye makeup had smudged "because I rushed her." My dad then snapped at me in front of people, saying I stressed him out. I ended up in tears before the photos even started. They told me "s k it up".
    via tunaonigiri12
  • My boyfriend arrived with flowers for me. My mum then commented that she had considered buying me flowers but "couldn't be bothered" to go to the shops nearby since I 'rushed' her
    via tunaonigiri12
  • After the ceremony, my friends wanted pictures, so I asked my boyfriend to hold my handbag while I posed. During that time, my mum quietly said to
    via tunaonigiri12
  • him: “I don't know how you can stand her, she's a lot of work." This was only the second time they'd met, and he was surprised to hear that.
    via tunaonigiri12
  • We then went for lunch at a restaurant uphill. I had packed flats to change into from my heels, but my mum ended up taking them to wear instead. I got
    via tunaonigiri12
  • painful blisters walking uphill in my heels. When my friends noticed and asked why I wasn't wearing my flats, my mum cut in proudly: "She had flats, but the mum has
    via tunaonigiri12
  • blisters too, so I took them." She didn't have blisters, but she said it in a way that almost made it into a lighthearted joke. My friends looked stunned.
    via tunaonigiri12
  • a photo of a woman in evening wear holding her foot and taking off her uncomfortable heel shoe
    via Getty Images For Unsplash+

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

  • I know they came all this way for me, but instead of feeling celebrated, I felt scolded, embarrassed, and overshadowed throughout the day. What should have been a happy milestone ended up leaving me stressed.
    via tunaonigiri12
  • Side note/context: I'm an international student from Southeast Asia studying in the UK. My boyfriend is British, and my original plan was to stay here after graduation and get a job.
    via tunaonigiri12
  • My parents have told me that if I choose to stay, they won't support me financially and will cut me off completely. They forced me into doing a postgraduate / the bar, which I am, but I am quietly planning my exit and saving up on money.
    via tunaonigiri12
  • ScowlyBrowSpinster Do not go home. Stay in the UK, get a job, keep the nice boyfriend. Your parents just want a punching bag.
    via ScowlyBrowSpinster
  • tunaonigiri12 You're absolutely right. I'm back in my home country with my parents right now and everyday they're telling me how selfish it is if I never come back. Guilt tripping me that it's so far away
    via tunaonigiri12
  • They want me to do my postgraduate back in the UK, so I leave in a week and will be gone for another year. This gives me another year to save up while studying. I'm quietly planning my exit during this time. I appreciate your comment
    via tunaonigiri12
  • KimiMcG Go and take a UK job, won't matter if they cut you off. You'll have your own income. Live your life how you want.
    via KimiMcG
  • tunaonigiri12 Getting these comments really reassure me to make the right yet hard decision. It's taken me a while because I grew up in such a toxic household and was expected to 'appreciate' them for sending me abroad etc. I'm quietly
    via tunaonigiri12
  • planning my exit now and plan to reduce contact once I'm independent. I'm doing another year of postgraduate instead of working, so I hope to land a better paying job + have more time to save up. Thank you so much!
    via tunaonigiri12

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law school family dynamics family drama entitled parents graduation entitlement reddit story family feud parenting entitled family reddit thread parent Reddit Parenting Fail parents entitled people Parenting FAILS
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