Aio for my parent potentially being dismissive of me
I’m 17. I’ve recently noticed a weird shift in how my parents are treating me as we near the day I turn 18, particularly when I say literally anything or when they see me indulging in anything. My parents have gotten into this habit of laughing off anything I say if they deem it as “unimportant.” I grew up as a kid who hardly spoke, if at all, and as I’ve gotten older, I’ve found my voice and have started actually speaking my mind. I’ll admit, sometimes I ramble a little longer than most do, but I know my limits. Their dismissive nature started to progress into other things when I’m not speaking. Recently, my parents will walk into my room just to see what I’m doing or to ask me a question; a short exchange and it’s wrapped up in less than a minute. They’ll see what I’m doing, ask about it, and when I answer with something that isn’t exactly conventional, they’ll laugh at me. Not necessarily a belly laugh, but a chuckle as if they’re making fun of me, or dismissing a little kid saying something childish. I like to cook, and I’m getting better (ish) at it. I’ve recently started growing very fond of the idea of growing my own herbs and vegetables, and now and again I’ll talk about it, I’ll get laughed at for it and reminded of how difficult it is. I’m aware, and I’m not trying to come off as whiny when I say this, but this happens with everything I talk about. I even get dismissed over my own health concerns. Admittedly, I am a bit of a hypochondriac, and I am getting better about it. Whenever I point out something I notice on or about myself, I always, without fail, get told I’m overreacting and receive sighs, eye rolls, and disengagement. Every single time I bring something up, even when it’s causing me very severe mental stress. It’s discouraged me from working out, as I used to do it daily for short amounts of time during the day, every day. Cue them walking in to say something or see what I’m doing, seeing me, laughing, and going about their business. Every single time. I stopped after a while because I got tired of it. I used to meditate. I stopped because I got tired of getting made fun of. I mention something about wanting to cook or mentioning one of my interests about cooking, or about how my kitchen will run after I move out, I’m laughed at. I mention something I want to do in my future as an adult, I’m laughed at or lectured. It’s a consistent pattern. I voice concerns about something I feel strongly about, and was ASKED, I’m met with eye rolls, sighs, and disinterest. Without fail, it’s predictable. Am I overthinking this? Is this normal? Is there something I should do? Talking to them seems out of the question, as my parents don’t like when I tell them about a problem I have with them, they never have. Any help is appreciated.
Posted Dec 1, 2025, 3:01 AM UTC