AITAH for being too harsh on dad when mom’s car got stolen

so for some backstory: i’m 19 and i’m currently attending college. i think my parents have believed im too opinionated since i became a teenager, so im bad at expressing my opinions (and communicating in general). being at college has been so freeing, though im still learning how to speak up and know its ok to say what i feel. however i’m also having a really difficult time finding the balance between expressing my thoughts/not holding back while also not being mean or too much. idk why i can’t understand these skills that seem to come naturally to everyone else. i feel like i need a manual i can read or something. it is definitely an area i need to work on.

all of that to say, i think i reacted badly today when my mom called and told me her car got stolen. i was just shocked because the town we live in is generally safe, though the city my parents are in for the day has been getting progressively sketchier over the years.

as my mom’s telling me the story i remember that my mom’s car is literally a push to start car, meaning if you leave it unlocked and leave the keys someone can hop in press the button and go. and apparently my dad had told her not to take the keys into the store with them even though my mom suggested grabbing them. so i get frustrated with my dad and just sort of like let it out.

mind you my mom and i are on facetime and my dad is next to her. so he can hear everything im saying. i go on a short tangent, i think i just said ‘omg, and your car’s a push to start too. i can’t believe yall left the keys, that’s so insane.’ then i said ‘that’s so fucking stupid’ my mom just said ‘okay you’re not being helpful, i’m hanging up.’ i was like ‘ok, i’m sorry this happened to you’ and she says ‘ok yea bye.’

i feel horrible, literally sick to my stomach and i can’t really stop crying. i am not able to handle it when i do badly in situations and it hurts other people and i really don’t know what to do. a part of me wants to not beat myself up because ive just gotten so used to being able to express my opinions and none of my friends ever take it that harshly, as we’re all honest with each other. but i texted my mom apologizing and she said my dad already feels horrible, i hurt his feelings bad, and they both already felt stupid. i guess i know i was the AH to some extent but i guess i just want some outside opinions or view on things.

Posted Mar 1, 2026, 1:51 AM UTC

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