My father doesn't love me but neither I do
My (29 f) father (66m) never loved me. Never told me he loves me and never showed it either. No physical contact (no kisses, no hugs, nothing) and also never bought me anything, it was always a no. No books, no clothes... absolutely nothing... never. Nothing even for my birthday although it's the only day he tries to treat me "well", which is telling me Happy birthday. For him it was always: if I had good grades in school I was worthy. If I had bad grades, I has useless. If I got a job, I was worthy. If I got rejected for a job, I was useless. If I had a boyfriend, I was worthy. If it didn't work out, probably my fault. And he gives the same disgusting treatment to my mom.
But it is mutual and I don't love him either. The problem is I have to live with him in the same house and I work night shift, which means during the day I have to deal with him. He doesn't let me live if I stay home: I can't read a book because for him it's useless. If I want to take a walk or go to the market he has to come with me. He's always calling me to tell me things I don't care about, making me waste time. There is no me time either, that's impossible. My mother works during the day and at night she manages to be on her own, somehow my father lets her do whatever she wants and whenever I get the opportunity to be around her so my father lets me be, I do it. Whenever my mom (because I've learned to go away) points out his disgusting behaviour to him, he starts yelling to BOTH OF US or pointing out how loud-mouthed WE are, that we can't be told anything because we get moody and such things. He always talks in plural because for him we are both bad for calling him out on his behaviour. The good thing is I have learned from him how I don't want to be treated, what I look for in a person, in my partner and that I am able to cut out people from my life if they treat me like that.
Posted Apr 29, 2026, 6:55 AM UTC