In most relationships, the following statement is a very simple and obvious one: our romantic partners should live up to their titles and act like partners . But this woman’s partner , whose story she posted to Reddit for advice doesn’t seem to get it. The original poster (OP), a 20-year-old woman, tried to do something nice for her boyfriend's birthday, planning a fancy dinner date. But things went sideways fast when the boyfriend showed up with his buddy and the buddy's girlfriend without giv…

They staged an intervention to stop her from... being independent?

If you're anything like me, you love birthdays, celebrating your own and others'. It's a joyous occasion to reflect on how far you've come and think about where you want to go. But for this young woman, her birthday was tarnished by one of the few people who should have been making it special, her dad. After all, we literally wouldn’t be here without our parents, so you’d think they’d celebrate your birthday like it was their own. You did make them parents, after all. For this teenager, her dad…

Dog mom forgot she had human kids.

Not everyone shares the same idea of birthday etiquette.

Welcome back ladies and gentlemen of the internet. Family traditions can be an immensely special part of growing up. Some people have a family tradition of taking a family vacation every year. Some families have certain songs they sing on road trips, or restaurants they go to for Christmas eve. It can be bonding to share this tradition as a family, and it teaches children the playfulness of love and connection. But what if your family tradition is…questionable? What if your family tradition imp…

"Am I obligated to keep making an effort for someone who just can't or won't reciprocate?"

Welcome back ladies and gentlemen of the internet. In this day and age, going no contact with family members is more and more common. It doesn’t matter if it’s your mother, daughter, sister, brother, or father, if someone does or says something you don’t like, it’s common protocol to never speak to them again. It’s a bit extreme, and not to mention dramatic, but of course everyone is entitled to their decisions. If you don’t want someone in your life, then no one can force you. So what’s the pr…

"So she threw a rehearsal dinner bigger and fancier than our wedding at a wedding venue."

Welcome back ladies and gentlemen of the internet. For some people, birthdays are a big deal. Some people want the works – party, gifts, cards, cake, and all the attention on them. Some people even plan multiple events for their birthday, and you’re left wondering if they thought they had a birth ‘month’ instead of a birthday. Others don’t want a party at all and refuse to plan anything. I even know the type who refuses to tell others when their birthday is! In this Reddit thread, the original…

We’re all familiar with the archetype of the evil step-mother. Albeit it’s rooted in archaic fairy tales, all art is some sort of representation of real life. It’s clearly based on something, and even most Disney movies omit a mother, or there’s the typical evil step-mother. Regardless of if you agree with this caricature, the story below portrays a step-mother who may have acted out of line. In this Reddit thread, the original poster (OP) is the step-mother who’s banished her step-daughter fro…

There's a fine line between fashionably late and entitlement.

"This majorly upset me because this whole pregnancy has not felt like a partnership what so ever. He only made one of my several ultrasounds..."

Welcome back internet girlies. When you’re in a marriage or partnership, one tends to rely on the other for certain things. This reciprocal dynamic is essential. We all need someone to rely on (within reason), and your partner should be your main support system . During the course of long-term love, it’s common to develop habits with partners as well, and even if boundaries are crossed, it’s all in the realm of normal relationships. It may not be ideal to feel like your partner has childish qua…

Healthy relationships take ongoing effort. Communication is crucial to ensuring that the relationship endures. Having stated that how would you feel if your partner ignored your birthday wish each and every year while pretending to know better? The story below is an account of a frustrated husband. The original poster (OP) and his wife had been married for a considerable amount of time. For a very long time, the wife chose to celebrate special occasions like birthdays, anniversaries, holidays,…

It is important to possess good time management skills. Planning and managing your time is crucial if you want to avoid being lost or forgotten while sailing on a worldwide cruise ship. The story below is an account of a frustrated daughter. The original poster (OP) had recently graduated from high school. As a graduation gift, her parents invited her on a cruise. OP emphasized that because they have a reputation for being late, they must alter the way they behave and make every effort to adher…