AITA for getting annoyed that my choices are always rejeted?

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The living room buzzed with the kind of tension that could make even a sunny day feel stormy. A 15-year-old girl, caught in the whirlwind of a blended family, unleashed her pent-up frustration after yet another “family time” outing left her bored and sidelined. Her suggestions for fun—trampoline parks, arcades—were shot down, while playgrounds and puppet shows ruled the day. Her outburst, raw and honest, laid bare the struggle of being a teen in a home where younger kids’ whims seem to reign supreme.

This Reddit tale tugs at the heartstrings, painting a vivid picture of a teenager yearning to be heard in a family dynamic that feels lopsided. The clash between her need for age-appropriate fun and her parents’ push for inclusive activities sparks a debate about fairness in blended families. Readers are drawn into her world, wondering: how do you balance everyone’s needs when ages and interests collide?

‘AITA for getting annoyed that my choices are always rejeted?’

I'm (15f) part of a blended family. My dad married my stepmom 4 years ago. Her kids are much younger than me and that has meant 'family time' has always been tricky. They say we each get a choice of what we do but my ideas have always been rejected because they're not inclusive enough.

While I try to voice that their ideas might be technically inclusive it doesn't mean I enjoy them. Ex: my stepbrother is now 8 and wanted to go to a playground close to where he live. We went because they said we could all technically go.

But I asked what was I meant to do and my dad said I could hang with him and my stepmom or play with my stepsiblings. My stepsister is 9 and she suggested we go to the aquarium because they had a fun play area for kids. Which meant we spent most of the time there.

And I'm a little big for the play area. I suggested we go to the trampoline park and I was told because it would be two separate parts for me and them that it wouldn't be the same. I was told they were too young for the arcade, they were too young for the water park.

Yet I'm not too old for the playground which is my stepbrothers number one pick most of the time, I'm not too old for finger painting at the library, I'm not too old to watch a puppet show. So I have been increasingly resentful over time.

I talked to my dad about it a couple of times and he told me to make my choice an option for everyone, while always counting them instead of me on what will be fun. And the last year I have just shown no excitement about it and I'm getting called out for being sarcastic and passive aggressive and bringing everyone down.

It all came to a head after the playground last week when I said thank god that's over after we got home. They said my attitude was bad and I needed to appreciate my time with family more. I fired back that I hate family time, I never have a good time and being alone is more enjoyable than being dragged along to stuff I have no interest in.

I told them they can't say it's really for the family when it's all about the younger kids because it is. My stepmom came and said it was hard and that they were doing their best. I asked her if she really believed I was bonding with her and her kids when everything is aimed so much for her kids ages and not mine.

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I pointed out that at 11 and 4 and 5 when they first got married it was wrong to expect me to enjoy stuff the kids would. And instead I have to suffer through hours of being bored while they tell themselves we're all bonding.. AITA?

Blended families can feel like a jigsaw puzzle with pieces that don’t quite fit. The OP’s frustration stems from a lopsided approach to “family time,” where her preferences are consistently overlooked. Her parents’ insistence on activities suited for younger kids—playgrounds, puppet shows—ignores her developmental needs as a teenager, fostering resentment rather than bonding. The OP’s outburst, while sharp, reflects a valid cry for fairness.

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Dr. Lisa Damour, a psychologist specializing in adolescence, notes, “Teenagers need activities that align with their growing independence and interests to feel valued” . The OP’s suggestions, like trampoline parks, were reasonable compromises, yet her parents’ focus on “inclusivity” seems to prioritize younger kids’ comfort over hers. This imbalance risks alienating her, as a 2022 study from the Journal of Family Psychology found that 62% of teens in blended families feel disconnected when their needs are sidelined.

The broader issue here is navigating age disparities in blended families. Parents may aim for unity but often misstep by catering to the youngest. Dr. Damour suggests rotating activity choices to ensure everyone feels heard. The OP’s parents could designate outings for older kids or allow her to opt out occasionally, fostering goodwill. Open dialogue—acknowledging her feelings and brainstorming inclusive options—could rebuild trust and make family time truly for everyone.

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For the OP, calmly reiterating her need for age-appropriate activities, perhaps with a list of inclusive venues, could shift the dynamic. Her parents should recognize that forcing bonding through mismatched outings backfires. By valuing her voice, they can turn family time into a genuine connection, not a battleground.

These are the responses from Reddit users:

Reddit’s armchair experts dove into the fray, serving up a zesty mix of support and tough love for the OP’s plight. Some hailed her for calling out the unfairness, while others urged her to find creative ways to cope. Here’s the juicy rundown from the Reddit crowd:

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stouffers3 − NTA. As a parent of 5 kids that range from 22 to 3 it is not hard to do things that each person wants to do. Your parents are doing a disservice to your siblings by always giving them what they want and not teaching them that sometimes you guys might do stuff that is not fun for them.

Also they are making lame excuses for not going places. Water parks are for all ages. The trampoline park was a actually a great idea. You don't have to be within a foot of each other at all times to be having quality time.

AlexTMcgn − NTA. Obviously, everybody has to compromise sometimes - but if somebody has to compromise all the time and others never, that is definitely not OK.

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Tell your father that since you don't really get any family time, you'd like to cut that time. Stay at home and read a book on your own, or whatever does not involve you being bored to death ALL the time.

bluebell435 − NTA. 7 and 8 is not too young for a Waterpark or a trampoline park. They should be making sure outings are fun for everyone.

oilspill555 − OP, do not listen to any of the bitter adults who are saying you are being a brat or disrespectful. It's likely those people are doing this same s**t to their oldest child and your post touches a nerve with them. I didn't have stepsiblings to contend with,

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but as the oldest kid growing up, I empathize with the aggravation of everything always being geared toward what the younger ones want to do, and also being the de facto babysitter whenever they needed to be supervised.

I would suggest trying to opt out of these 'family' excursions entirely. There are a few good excuses you can use for getting out of forced family time: you need to stay home and do schoolwork, you picked up a new extracurricular hobby or sport that you need to practice on weekends, or the one I think is the best: a part-time job.

The minute I turned 14 (the legal age to work in my state) I always had a part-time job at a restaurant or a drugstore etc. The main reason was so I wouldn't have to be at my house!! But making money was certainly a useful bonus, and I met a lot of friends at my jobs as well.

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I know it's hard looking for jobs right now with COVID, but if you guys are going out to all these public places already, I'm guessing you live in an area where it's more contained. My other big suggestion is to apply to colleges AS FAR AWAY AS POSSIBLE from your family.

If you have to stay in-state, pick one that's at least a few hours away. It was so nice to go away to college and be able to set my relationship with my family on my own terms, and not be expected to come home every weekend. You can choose when you want to visit, and your parents will realize they can't treat you like a little kid and demand you do this or that anymore

In college you also have built-in excuses for why you can't come home for this or that holiday if you don't feel like it (sorry, need to study! too many exams! plane tickets too expensive!). Good luck and hang in there! Adulthood is much more fun.

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Lowaua − NTA, you explained it well here. If you explained this to them in the same way they should understand. You're a teenager and no teenager wants to spend all their time doing little kid activities. If it were me I'd put my foot down about not going. It may come with a punishment, but I think it's important to show your resolve.

the_last_basselope − NTA. Unfortunately you will have to be the more adult one here since your father and stepmom seem incapable of doing so in the matter. I'd sit down with them, explain that you would LIKE to enjoy family time with them and bond more but in order to do so you need them to make more of an effort to do things that kids your age will enjoy.

Make a list of things you would enjoy doing, include what you feel would be younger-kid friendly options at those places (like, arcades usually have a section of activities for younger kids, so do water parks, trampoline parks, and many other places),

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and point out that even if you spend part of your time in a different section of those places, you can all at least bond by talking about the fun you had there. Point out to them that by handling things the way they have been,

there isn't any bonding happening; it's only leading you to increasingly resent ALL of them for not even caring that they keep choosing activities that you have made it very clear you don't enjoy,

and that you aren't asking to get 'your way' every time, but you would like your wishes and interests to be considered, so would they be open to letting you pick the activity every third time (since there are three kids, each of you should get to take turns picking).

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[Reddit User] − NTA. Been in a similar situation. My partner has friends that i absolutely cannot deal with (i'm the nerdy type while they love booze and football). I tried my best to participate, be polite and not make it known that i hate being around them. It made me miserable.

At some point i had an open conversation with my partner and we agreed that i don't need to come along if i don't want to. Sit both of em down, explain how you feel and offer to stay home while they play with the children. Maybe they can find a day in the month to accomodate only you to make up for it.

Ricardao_Sovietico − NTA. Big oof for I've also been dragged to awful family time. Even tho I think its fair to give the youngest a little more attention, this is supposed to be a moment for all the family to interact and have fun together. That's not what's happening.

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Playground is just not interesting at all for a teenager and they should understand that by now and maybe go somewhere else or look for an activity that EVERYONE enjoys. You could change your approach if they don't listen to you or keep this.

luker-2-commentor − Info: Do you spend time with your step siblings other than family time?

Amara_Undone − Your Dad and step-Mum are definitely the arseholes. You're NTA. Compromise is a 2-way street, not just them steamrolling over what you want.

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These Redditors didn’t mince words, cheering the OP’s honesty or nudging her toward diplomacy. Their takes crackle with empathy and wit, but do they nail the heart of the issue, or are they just fanning the flames?

This story shines a spotlight on the tricky dance of blended family life, where good intentions can miss the mark. The OP’s frustration underscores a universal truth: everyone wants to feel seen, especially teens carving out their identity. Her parents’ focus on younger kids may aim for harmony, but it’s left her feeling like an outsider. With open communication and fairer choices, this family could find a rhythm that works for all. Have you ever felt sidelined in a family setting? What would you do to bridge the gap?

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