AITA for telling my sister I was the “golden kid” since she couldn’t do anything right

In this tale of sibling strife, one brother has declared himself the “golden kid” during a heated exchange with his sister—a remark that has ignited deep-seated family tensions. The story unfolds with the narrator recounting a lifetime of contrast between his own relatively trouble-free upbringing and his sister’s tumultuous past.

While he portrays himself as the responsible, high-achieving child, he recalls her rebellious actions, such as running away and even ruining their mother’s wedding dress. Now 26 and supposedly “getting her life together” under strict parental boundaries, her recent outburst over being excluded from family events has led to an explosive confrontation.

When she complained about not being invited to Thanksgiving, he snapped, asserting that he was the golden child precisely because she “couldn’t do anything right.” Her tearful exit and her boyfriend’s subsequent anger have left the family—and the wider online community—divided over who is truly at fault.

 

‘AITA for telling my sister I was the “golden kid” since she couldn’t do anything right?’

Family dynamics are complex, and experts emphasize that sibling relationships often carry years of unresolved emotions and unspoken resentments. Dr. Karen Simmons, a family therapist, notes, “Siblings who experience contrasting parental treatment can develop deep-seated feelings of both superiority and inferiority. In situations like this, what might seem like a harmless, albeit harsh, label can actually be a manifestation of long-standing grievances.”

In this case, the narrator’s declaration of being the “golden kid” reflects not only personal pride but also built-up resentment towards his sister’s repeated missteps and the perceived favoritism in parental attention. While his words may have been intended to assert a boundary and vent frustrations, they also risk further alienating his sister and reinforcing negative dynamics.

Empathy is crucial here—both siblings may be carrying emotional scars from childhood experiences that continue to influence their adult interactions. Experts recommend that both parties consider family counseling or individual therapy to address these unresolved issues rather than resorting to hurtful labels that can deepen divisions.

Here’s what the community had to contribute:

Here are some hot takes from the Reddit community—diverse, candid, and often sharply critical. Many users sympathize with the narrator’s frustration over a lifetime of perceived mistreatment, arguing that his sister’s past behavior justifies his blunt remark

One commenter states, “If she hasn’t learned from her past, then why should anyone keep bending over backward for her?” Others, however, criticize his approach, suggesting that his remark was unnecessarily cruel. A few believe that both siblings have contributed to a toxic dynamic and that labeling one as the “golden kid” only exacerbates old wounds.

In conclusion, this confrontation over the “golden kid” label serves as a microcosm for deeper family issues that have festered over the years. While the narrator’s remark may have been a spur-of-the-moment reaction born from frustration, it also underscores the long-standing resentment and emotional scars that can arise from unequal treatment in a family.

The question remains: Is it ever acceptable to define oneself in opposition to a sibling’s shortcomings, or does such a declaration only fuel further discord? What do you think—should family members strive to heal old wounds, or is sometimes a harsh truth necessary to prompt change? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below, and let’s discuss whether labels can ever truly capture the nuances of sibling dynamics.