July 14, 2023 at 11:48 pm

He Won’t Forgive His Dad for Breaking a Deal. Is He Wrong?

by Matthew Gilligan

AITAForgivingDad He Won’t Forgive His Dad for Breaking a Deal. Is He Wrong?

Have you ever had someone go back on their word and it really hurt you?

Yeah, that’s always bad…but it’s even worse when one of your parents does it.

So is this guy wrong for not forgiving his dad for breaking a deal?

Check out his story and see what you think.

AITA for refusing to forgive my Dad for breaking our deal?

“When I (17 M) was 8, my parents bought me a piano and signed me up for lessons. I was super excited because I love music. Over time I kind of became known as the ‘piano guy’ at school. I play at school concerts, accompany the school jazz choir, and play once a week for the residents at a couple of retirement homes in our town.

When I was 15, I started to talk about quitting lessons, and my parents quickly tried to guilt me out of it. I told them I wanted to try other things, and that between piano and studying, I didn’t have much time left for other extra curriculars. My Dad proposed a deal.

If I kept playing and taking lessons until I reached level 10 RCM (Royal Conservatory of Music), and continued to keep my grades up at school, he would buy me a new car of my choice. I jumped at it and we shook hands on the deal.

I should explain that my family is well off financially. I have a very privileged life, but I wouldn’t say I’ve been spoiled. If I ever want a luxury item like a new phone or game console, I have to buy it myself with money I’ve saved from summer and after school jobs.

I should also explain that my Dad’s big on loopholes. When we compete, he always finds a way to win, and when I do it doesn’t count because of some loophole. It drives me nuts, but he thinks it’s hilarious. Whenever I complain about him not playing fair, his answer is always the same: life isn’t fair.

So, because of our deal, I kept up with my lessons. I spent about 1-2 hours a day on piano, while keeping my grades up. Last summer, I took my level 9 RCM exams and passed, fulfilling my part of the deal. II told my Dad I’d chosen the BMW X5 plug-in hybrid SUV.

A couple of months ago, on my birthday, I came downstairs for breakfast, and my Dad told me there was a surprise waiting for me in the garage. I ran out, and sitting in the middle of the floor was a 1/24 scale, toy BMW X5. My Dad burst out laughing and said, “A deal’s a deal, so as promised here is your brand new BMW!” My heart absolutely broke.

I asked if he was being serious, and he said I couldn’t seriously have expected him to buy a 17 year old a real brand new BMW and that we could discuss getting me a reasonably priced used car. I said we had a deal and I fulfilled my end of it, he said he did too since I never said that the car had to be full size and drivable. I said he wasn’t being fair. His response: life isn’t fair.

Ever since this happened, I’ve been distant with my Dad. I honestly feel like he betrayed my trust and that he deliberately made a fool out of me. He keeps bringing up the idea of a used car, but I told him I’m not interested, which I admit is kind of petty.

I have enough money saved that I can buy a cheap used car myself, and I just feel like if I accept one from him now it’s like saying that breaking his promise didn’t matter and that he didn’t do anything wrong.

AITA?”

Here’s what Reddit users had to say about this.

This reader said he’s NTA and said that life isn’t fair.

Screen Shot 2023 06 25 at 8.07.35 AM He Won’t Forgive His Dad for Breaking a Deal. Is He Wrong?

Photo Credit: Reddit

Another person also said he’s NTA and he needs to have a serious conversation with his dad.

Screen Shot 2023 06 25 at 8.07.53 AM He Won’t Forgive His Dad for Breaking a Deal. Is He Wrong?

Photo Credit: Reddit

And this person said no matter what he says, his father won’t be hearing any of this.

Screen Shot 2023 06 25 at 8.08.07 AM He Won’t Forgive His Dad for Breaking a Deal. Is He Wrong?

Photo Credit: Reddit

Man, families are tough, even if you have money.