AITA for saying I don’t think my parents should’ve had kids and I don’t think they could ever be good parents in a family therapy session?

Picture this: a 17-year-old guy sits in a stuffy therapy room, the air thick with tension, as his parents stare daggers across the couch. It’s not exactly the cozy family bonding moment they might’ve envisioned when they signed up for family therapy six months ago. Instead, it’s a battleground of unspoken truths, simmering resentment, and a bombshell waiting to drop. When the therapist finally gives him the floor, he doesn’t hold back—he tells his parents he doesn’t think they should’ve had kids. Ouch.

The scene feels ripped from a dramatic movie, but for this teenager, it’s just another Tuesday. His mom’s erratic control-freak tendencies and his dad’s unpredictable aggression have left him questioning their parenting chops—and honestly, who could blame him? Readers can’t help but lean in, wondering: is he the jerk here, or is he just calling it like he sees it?

‘AITA for saying I don’t think my parents should’ve had kids and I don’t think they could ever be good parents in a family therapy session?’

Family therapy can feel like tossing a live grenade into an already shaky relationship—and this story proves it. The 17-year-old’s outburst wasn’t just teenage angst; it’s a cry from someone drowning in a chaotic home. His mom’s rigid control and paranoia, paired with his dad’s inconsistent aggression, paint a picture of dysfunction that’s tough to ignore.

Let’s break it down. The mom’s behavior—micromanaging homework, trashing baked goods out of paranoia—hints at something deeper, maybe obsessive-compulsive tendencies or untreated anxiety. The dad, meanwhile, swings between forcing “quality time” and brushing off his son’s needs, echoing his own troubled past.

Neither seems willing to look inward, which is a red flag. As psychologist Dr. John Gottman once said in a 2019 Psychology Today article, “The greatest gift parents can give their children is the ability to self-reflect and repair ruptures in the relationship.” Here, that gift’s nowhere in sight.

This isn’t just about one family—it’s a snapshot of a bigger issue. Studies, like one from the National Institute of Mental Health, suggest untreated parental mental health struggles can double a child’s risk of anxiety or depression. The Redditor’s feelings of hopelessness? Not surprising. The parents’ refusal of solo therapy for him only digs the hole deeper, prioritizing their comfort over his healing.

So, what’s the fix? Experts would likely suggest he pushes for individual therapy—maybe through school if his parents won’t budge. Building a support network outside the home, like friends or mentors, could also be a lifeline. For readers curious about family dynamics, check out Gottman’s work at psychologytoday.com. Therapy’s only as good as the effort put in—and here, the scales are tipping toward escape, not repair.

These are the responses from Reddit users:

Buckle up, because the Reddit peanut gallery didn’t come to play nice—they brought pitchforks, sass, and a sprinkle of tough love. The consensus? This kid’s parents sound like a reality TV trainwreck waiting to happen, and he’s the unwilling star.

One user quipped that his mom’s paranoia could convince anyone her son’s bakery leftovers are a mafia plot, while another called his dad her “enabler-in-chief.” The advice flows like a river: save cash, bolt at 18, and maybe invest in a therapist who doesn’t come with parental baggage.

These hot takes are spicier than a jalapeño popper, with users urging him to ditch the chaos and build a life that doesn’t involve dodging emotional landmines. But here’s the kicker—are these armchair experts onto something, or just projecting their own family horror stories? Either way, it’s a wild ride worth pondering.

So, where does this leave us? A teenager unloading years of frustration in therapy, parents clutching their pearls, and a therapist probably earning every penny of her fee. It’s raw, messy, and real. He’s not wrong to speak his truth—therapy’s supposed to be a safe space, not a gag order.

Whether his parents can handle the mirror he’s holding up? That’s the million-dollar question. What would you do if you were stuck in this family circus? Drop your thoughts below—have you ever had to call out a loved one, or are you team “keep the peace at all costs”? Let’s get this convo rolling