13F, father ruining my life so far, am I overreacting?

Need Advice

Hey, I’m not sure if this is the right subreddit to post this in, but I will anyway.

I’m a 13 year old girl living in Australia, and my parents are muslim. I don’t belive in their lord. Being Muslim or not isnt and option in this household, once your born into it, that’s just it for life.
Im halfway through year 8, which they say highschool in Australia.

Writing this took a while, because I had to hide in the bathroom, writing this on incognito mode with shit wifi, and my parents only let me in there for 5mins before banging on the door and forcing it open. I also couldn’t go to the bathroom too often within the same day or they would’ve questioned it.

I’d say I’m average with looks. Not too pretty but not ugly either, just some belly fat that I could easily lose, a pretty face, etc. I understand muslim girls having to cover up, all Muslim girls I know dress modestly but aren’t absolutely shrouded and wear fitted clothing that’s still modest but stunning? Thats when I realised it’s not cultural or religious because all my cousins wear revealing clothing. I don’t wear the hijab and I definitely do not want to stay a Muslim (no offense to the religion, it’s just my parents ruined my view on it.)

My parents on the other hand, make me wear clothes that make me look like a box and are 5 sizes too big, also make me wear 3 layers in summer, etc. And when I say “but everyone else wears tight clothes?” they always reply with “that’s not our problem”. But when it comes to comparing personalities or grades, they always comment on everyone else.

Im not asking to wear crop tops, or shorts, Im just asking to go from baggiest jeans and ugliest blouses to at least oversized t-shirts and baggy jeans that actually fit?? Also not 3 singlets on top of eachother?? The clothes they make me wear make me feel insecure and ugly. I can’t leave the house in clothes they don’t approve of. Literally, forcibly they keep me in. And even if I somehow made it out, they would take everything away from me, punish me, threaten me, etc. The threats scare me, even though they probably won’t do it so the police ain’t called. My father uses a specific threat that goes along the lines of: ”If you make that face at me one more time I break it/beat it until you're unrecognisable.”

I have perfect grades, I get scholarships, and people often describe me as easygoing, kind etc but my parents a lways complain and lower my self-esteem, making me feel like throwing myself off of a cliff. Other parents would dream of having such a well behaved daughter, often saying “we wish our child was like yours,” but they don’t know anything.

Now don’t say, “sit down with them and talk, ask why, blah blah” because when I tell you I’ve tried everything, I have. The response is always something like “That’s life” or “Stop with the drama, you have a roof and food.” If not, they just shout. They also have no problem with it, coming back the next day smiling like nothing happened saying, “why are you so stubborn? We didn’t do anything? You are never satisfied.” AND THEY ALWAYS GUILT TRIP ME GOING “you’re making me sad, I do everything for you and you just disappoint me.”

I can’t even dress comfortably at home, with my dad saying “Don’t wear that around me.” when it’s just pjs or baggy shorts past my knees. Are you fucking kidding me? Are you saying YOU are ‘distracted‘ by your 13 year old daughter? He always says “if you wear that you’ll get harassed” but people get harassed in really anything, it’s not something I should cover up for.

When I say they make me want to kill myself, they go “Noo, pur reputation.” They don’t even care. I don’t feel loved at all and I just want to cry. Maybe I’m just ungrateful, because at least I have food and water when some other people are starving but what can I do about that?

My mother just encourages it, she doesnt even care either. My father can insult everyone and cuss them out, and I can’t even say no or talk back without him physically or verbally lashing out at me.

School is heaven for me, not having my parents around.

Clothing is just one thing. I don’t get birthdays, no hanging out, no phone, no talking about guys, etc.
I used to be so bubbly and sociable but now I can’t even talk to people and make friends.

When I go out in public I feel like a deer in headlights or an animal.

I’m not waiting and wasting my childhood away, but I guess it’s my only option.

Honestly at this point when I turn 18 I’ll Just rebel out on them.

My parents say it’s life and I can’t just leave and I should stay with them until they are old, which is not happening.

But I have no other family and no one to support me.

Im just a girl in some random Australian school’s junior rock band that dresses weird, no one suspects a thing.

What is there that I can do anyway

Posted Jul 11, 2026, 2:31 PM UTC

83
Loading comments…