Parents give daughter $1.2M property despite her long history of poor financial decisions, causing their second daughter to distance herself from the family: ‘It feels like favoritism’

Author image for Bar Mor Hazut
Bar Mor Hazut • Senior Editor
Oct 28, 2025 2:00 PM EDT

Most people truly love their siblings and want the best for them, but that doesn't mean that they support favoritism from their parents. Your siblings should be extremely successful, but not at your expense.

If parents want to help their children out, to ensure their success, it should only be done in an equal manner. Help all of your children equally, or don't help at all.

When the daughter in the story below discovered that her parents had decided to gift her sister a $1.2M property, despite her long history of poor financial decisions, she realized they would never be equal in her parents' eyes. She also learned that the fact that she is responsible in life, and doesn't really need her parents' help, somehow became a punishment.

With one unequal action, the parents turned their daughter against the entire family. She decided that she wants to distance herself and reevaluate her relationship with her parents, and who can blame her?

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  • 01
    Old parents standing in front of a house smiling
    via blueflames

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

  • 02

    AITA for distancing myself from my parents after they gave my sister a $1.2 million property?

    I recently found out that my parents are giving my sister and her husband a $1.2 million property and paying for full renovations so that my niece can attend one of the best school districts in our state.
    via cowboy040517
  • 03
    My sister and her husband have a long history of poor financial decisions. They frequently rely on my parents for help, while my husband and I have worked extremely hard to build stable careers and provide for our family on our own.
    via cowboy040517
  • 04
    We intentionally bought a fixer up home in an area we could afford, even though the local schools aren't great, and we plan to send our kids to private school - something we budget carefully for.
    via cowboy040517
  • 05
    It feels like favoritism. I'm the one who shows up, helps when asked, and has never needed financial rescue - yet I feel like I'm being punished for being responsible.
    via cowboy040517
  • 06
    If my sister were truly struggling despite doing her best, I'd understand. But her issue is that she and her husband aren't willing to live within their means or make sacrifices.
    via cowboy040517
  • 07
    I can't help feeling deeply disheartened and resentful. I've decided to step back for a while to process everything and reevaluate my relationship with my parents.
    via cowboy040517
  • 08
    I told them I'm hurt and that I need space, but they believe that since I did not flunk out of college, like my sister did and I made a successful career for myself that I shouldn't need help helping fund my kids education.
    via cowboy040517
  • 09
    So, AITA for wanting to distance myself from my parents and take time to reassess my relationship with them after this?
    via cowboy040517
  • 10
    Smiling young woman holding a set of house keys
    via georgeclerk

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

  • 11
    NTA EldritchDreamEdCamp Though, if your sister and her husband cannot afford a normal home, I wonder how long they will manage to keep the million dollar one, which is bound to have far higher property taxes. That house is bound to have them (and likely your parents) hei money ing
    via EldritchDreamEdCamp
  • 12
    OP cowboy040517 The property will be in a trust that has funds for maintenance and property tax.
    via cowboy040517
  • 13
    LeoPines_12 OP is family too, why are the parents only treating the sister like family? Or their grandkids?
    via LeoPines_12
  • 14
    OP cowboy040517 I do believe my parents love me and my child. But they know that I will make sacrifices and do what needs to be done for my family unlike my sister. I believe that's a driving factor.
    via cowboy040517
  • 15
    _Sovaz99_ They wont be rich long, trust. It takes at least basic common sense to handle large sums of money/ property well, which this sister does not have. Smart money says parents will likely expect OP to manage the trust for the sister. My response to that would be: LAWL
    via _Sovaz99_
  • 16
    OP cowboy040517 You're 100% right. I was asked to help manage the trust as well as their estate. I declined.
    via cowboy040517
  • 17
    SuccessfulAd4606 You said "giving them" rather than "buying them" - is this a property they own? Maybe they plan to revise their will to make it more equitable?
    via SuccessfulAd4606
  • 18
    OP cowboy040517 Yes. This is a property that they own that's worth 1.2 million at this time and they are planning to put in 250k + in renovations and then funding a lifetime trust to keep up with maintaining the home. They have zero plans to revise their current estate. All will still be split 50/50.
    via cowboy040517
  • 19
    NYCStoryteller NTA. I'd be like "so because I'm not a loser like my sister, it's worth burning our relationship by giving her millions of dollars worth of assets? Cool. Hope your retirement savings are well- funded and you never need elder care." Stop showing up when they need you. That's your sister's job now.
    via NYCStoryteller
  • 20
    Numerous-Bet3575 A lot of parents seem to bend over backwards to prop up the family to the extent that they make the kids that do everything "right" feel resentful and taken for granted. It sks. I understand why you feel that way.
    via Numerous-Bet3575
  • 21
    LeoPines_12 NTA, the nerve to favor your sister while ignoring your struggles and basically making her rich while expecting you to take care of them. I hope they have enough money saved for their retirement cause if I were you, I would tell them they are on their own from now on.
    via LeoPines_12
  • 22
    DaniCaps Fan This is clear favoritism. So the next time your parents need help, they can ask the sister to whom they gifted a $1.2M property. If they ask for help, it's not in your budget. You don't have the time because you have other obligations. They keep helping your sister. She can return the favor now. Come to that, if they can afford to buy a $1.2M property and pay for renovations, why have they asked you for help? So, yes, step back a bit. Work through your feelings. If you can afford a
    via DaniCaps
  • 23
    1 pinksquirrel1 scotch NTA. This is a tale as old as time. Wish your parents luck with all their future needs, and remind them your sister is on her own when they're gone, so all they've done is postpone her inevitable collapse. Then wish your sister luck on keeping up with the insurance and property taxes.
    via 1pinksquirrel1scotch
  • 24
    ContributionHuge4980 i haven't talked to my dad in 30 years and my issue with him is small change compared to this. If these were my parents they wouldn't see their grandkids ever again.
    via ContributionHuge4980

  • Moral of the story: Your kids deserve to be treated equally by you, no matter what. You shouldn't reward one child for their lack of planning, and ignore another because they are doing well on their own.

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family drama aita kids mother siblings reddit story favoritism parenting family sister property daughter Reddit money women parents children Father
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