He Agreed to Travel With His Mom — Then Got Frustrated When She Wanted to Stay Longer in Kenya
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We all want to solve real issues in this world.
This teenager agreed to travel to Kenya with his mom and younger brother. They planned to return home before he started his senior year. However, his mom wanted to stay longer to continue her activism, leaving him feeling homesick and frustrated that their original agreement had changed.
This story is one of those common parent-child conflicts where a parent promised one thing, but later on refused to fulfill it. Have you ever had a similar experience? Read the full story below.
WIBTA for asking my mom to keep her promise
For context, I’m 17M and currently in another country.
My mom, my little brother, and I came here because my mom wanted to become an activist and raise awareness about some serious issues.
Honestly, she accomplished that, and I’m proud of what she’s done.
The problem is that we were supposed to leave before the end of the month.
But now, my mom keeps telling me she isn’t finished, and that people still haven’t seen the pain she’s trying to show.
This teenage boy refused to stay any longer.
I reminded her that I only agreed to come because I wanted to see my dad.
And as long as we left before I had to start my senior year, I was willing to give up the entire month.
Now, she’s asking me to give up even more days, and I really don’t want to. I’ve already missed so much, and I’ve been incredibly homesick.
The country itself (Kenya) isn’t bad. In fact, I’d say it’s a fine country. It just hasn’t felt like a vacation at all.
Everywhere we’ve gone has mostly involved seeing poverty, difficult living conditions, and problems with the laws.
I’m also expected to help by filming videos and documenting everything, even when I don’t want to.
He hates that his mom can’t keep her promise.
I know some people are probably thinking I’m being selfish.
I genuinely do feel for the kids here and the animals, especially one dog we’ve been looking after. It hurts seeing people struggle.
But one thing I hate even more is when someone makes a promise and doesn’t keep it.
My mom promised we’d be home before the end of the month, and now, she’s talking about staying longer and even possibly moving here because it’s her dream.
That doesn’t feel fair to me or my little brother.
He thinks it’s not fair for him and his brother to put their life on hold because of their mom’s plans.
I know I probably sound selfish, but all I wanted was to finish my senior year back home.
After that, my mom can pursue whatever dream she wants.
I just don’t think it’s fair that I’m expected to put my life on hold because she changed the plan after promising we would leave.
So… AITA?
I totally get where OP is coming from. His mom made a promise, and that was what he considered when he flew out with her. While he fully supports her mom in her plans and dreams of solving real socio-civic problems in Kenya, I agree that he can’t just put his life on hold for her. His mom should keep her promise so her kids’ lives won’t be affected.
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Let’s look at the comments of other online users.
Here’s a valid point.
This person sides with OP.
Here’s another sound piece of advice.
If you enjoyed this story, check out this post about a woman who is hurt she’s being blamed for not caring for her friend’s dogs, but no one asked her to.
Here’s an idea.
And lastly, this one shares their opinion.
Pursuing your dreams is great, but not at the expense of someone else’s ambitions.
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