AITA for telling my daughters that I made a mistake by choosing to stay in their lives?

In a quiet suburban home, the air crackles with unspoken tension as a father faces his two daughters, their eyes blazing with accusations. Fourteen years after a bitter divorce, the scars of a broken family still fester, fueled by lies and resentment. This father, now in his late 40s, has endured years of hostility from his daughters, manipulated by their mother’s false narratives. Their latest confrontation, a heated demand for money, pushes him to a breaking point, where he voices a regret that changes everything. Can words spoken in pain unravel years of effort, or is this the release he’s secretly craved?

The story unfolds like a slow-burning drama, pulling readers into the heart of a fractured family. The father’s struggle to maintain a connection with his daughters, now 23 and 21, has been a relentless battle against a tide of misinformation. As readers, we’re left wondering: how much can one endure before the heart gives way? This tale invites us to explore the raw emotions of loyalty, betrayal, and the cost of holding on.

‘AITA for telling my daughters that I made a mistake by choosing to stay in their lives?’

This father’s story is a gut-wrenching example of parental alienation, where one parent’s influence poisons a child’s perception of the other. The daughters’ hostility, fueled by their mother’s lies, created a cycle of pain that’s all too common in fractured families. According to Dr. Amy J.L. Baker, a psychologist specializing in parental alienation, “Children manipulated into rejecting a parent often carry deep-seated loyalty conflicts, believing lies that align with the alienating parent’s narrative”.

The father faced a no-win situation: endure the daughters’ venom or risk confirming their fears of abandonment. His insistence on visitation, though well-intentioned, may have intensified their resentment, as they were caught in a tug-of-war of loyalties. The mother’s role in spreading falsehoods about his love and intentions likely deepened the rift, making trust nearly impossible.

This situation reflects a broader issue: parental alienation affects roughly 13-15% of children in divorced families, per studies from the American Psychological Association. The long-term impact can lead to estrangement, as seen here, where the daughters’ adult behavior—demanding money while rejecting connection—mirrors learned patterns of manipulation.

Dr. Baker advises, “Rebuilding requires patience, consistent effort, and sometimes professional intervention, like therapy, to unpack the lies.” For this father, a structured conversation, perhaps through a letter or mediated discussion, could open a door to healing. He might express his pain while affirming his love, countering years of misinformation without blame. Therapy could help the daughters process their conflicted feelings, though their willingness remains uncertain.

Here’s the input from the Reddit crowd:

The Reddit community didn’t hold back, offering a mix of empathy and sharp takes on this family saga. Here’s what they had to say:

These hot takes from Reddit range from heartfelt support to tough love, but do they capture the full complexity of a father’s breaking point? Some see him as a victim of circumstance, others as a parent who faltered under pressure. What’s clear is the divide in perspectives—much like the divide in this family.

This father’s story leaves us grappling with the weight of words spoken in despair and the long shadow of a broken family. His regret, though harsh, reflects years of unhealed wounds and a desperate bid for peace. Could he have approached his daughters differently, or was this moment inevitable? What would you do if you faced a similar rift with loved ones? Share your thoughts—have you navigated family estrangement, and how did you find resolution?