Single child daughter refuses to take over family's gas station business, sets her sights on lawschool instead to her parents' dismay: '[They] told me that I'm throwing away an opportunity and disrespecting their sacrifices'

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Ely Bulnes • Writer and Editor
Sep 21, 2025 3:00 PM EDT

When you have only one child, you're kind of putting all your eggs in one basket. I know, I know; parents with multiple kids will insist that they still have high expectations from each other their children, but being an only child comes with a unique kind of pressure. As an only child myself, I remember feeling like every decision I made had extra weight. Honestly, I still feel that way well into adulthood, like I'm constantly carrying my parents' hopes, sacrifices, and plans. Sometimes it feels like my destiny is written for me, and that any deviation I choose to make independently is met with pushback instead of encouragement. 

That's exactly the bind one young woman finds herself in. Her parents have poured over two decades into running a gas station, and they've always assumed she'd someday take the reins. But she has her own dream; she wants to become a lawye, and she's already working hard to make it happen. Most parents would be overjoyed that their child wants to pursue such a lucrative career, but her parents don't see it as a dream, they see it as betrayal. Now she finds herself caught between gratitude for what her parents built and the desire to build a life that's truly her own.

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  • 01

    AITAH for telling my parent that I won't take over our gasoline station business?

    LAW
    via pixelshot

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

  • 02
    1 (22F) am the only child in my family. My parents own a gasoline station that they've been running for over 20 years. It's been their
    via u/peachmelttt
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    main source of income, and they've always assumed that one day I'd take over and continue the business.
    via u/peachmelttt
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    Cheezburger Image 10556458496
    via jpgfactory from Getty Images Signature

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

  • 05
    The problem is, I don't want to. Ever since I was young, my dream has been to become a lawyer. I'm currently in college,
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    working hard to get into law school, and I honestly feel passionate about this path. But whenever I bring up my plans, my
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    parents just ignore it and say, That's nice, but the station is your real future. Last week, my dad sat me down and said it's time I start
    via u/peachmelttt
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    learning the ropes because someday it will all be yours. So I finally told them straight, I don't want to take over the gas station.
    via u/peachmelttt
  • 09
    I want to pursue my dream of becoming a lawyer, even if it means moving away.
    via u/peachmelttt
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    My dad doesn't seem to get my point and he's clearly not supporting me to pursue my dream of becoming a layer. I
    via u/peachmelttt
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    talked to my mom about it and my mom said I'm ungrateful to them, because the station gave me the education I have. My dad
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    said lawyers are a dime a dozen, but this business is secure and guaranteed money. My parents told me that I'm throwing away an opportunity and disrespecting
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    their sacrifices. I understand where they're coming from, but I don't think it's fair to force me into a career I don't want right?
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    Cheezburger Image 10556459008
    via AzmanL from Getty Images Signature

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

  • 15
    So AITAH for refusing to take over the family business and wanting to pursue law instead?
    via u/peachmelttt
  • 16
    р lic-baldwin. 1d Become a lawyer & hire somebody to run the gas station for you.
    via u/p***lic-baldwin
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    peachmelttt OP That's a good point, thanks. If they really want the station to stay in the family, maybe the
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    compromise is me following my dream and still helping manage it from a distance with the right people in place.
    via u/peachmelttt

  • There is a definitely a way through this where everyone wins. 

  • 19
    ricoxoxo I'd do it for, say, 100K a year. Hmu. That way, you can follow your dreams, and I love the smell of gasoline in the morning.
    via u/ricoxoxo
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    Dorzack I would still recommend learning the business before hiring a manager. If you know the business you will know if the manager is skimming off the top. you over or
    via u/Dorzack
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    Particular-Try5584 Let it be your uni job... learn the ropes. Then lease it out or manage a staff through it, pocket profit, while you lawyer.
    via u/Particular-Try5584

  • There really is no reason not to take the opportunity just to learn the ropes. 

  • 22
    Previous_Wedding_577 With the electric cars of the future.. is a gas station always going to be a viable business? Follow your dreams or you will always wonder what if
    via u/Previous_Wedding_577
  • 23
    TheJGoldenKimball Gas stations make nothing on gas. They make money on Twinkies and big gulps. You can put in pay chargers and sell big gulps while they charge.
    via u/TheJGoldenKimball
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    Cheezburger Image 10556458240
    via KCKATE from Jookiko

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

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    facinationstreet They can sell the business, earn retirement money and move on. You need to forge your own path. You will probably need to move out of the area
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  • 26
    Ok-Sort6969 Follow your dream. You should pursue something you are passionate about.
    via u/Ok-Sort6969
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    peachmelttt OP Thank you! That's exactly what I'm trying to do, become a lawyer and follow a path I actually care about, rather than just doing what's expected of me.
    via u/peachmelttt

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law school relationship advice family drama lawyer Female Empowerment family feud relationships parenting family daughter business girlboss parents
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