WIBTAH if I refuse to go on a trip to Lisbon with my dad to meet his side of the family, even though I know it will break his heart?

Asshole

My mother and father have two different nationalities: my mom is Italian and my dad is Cape Verdean. I’ve lived in Italy my whole life with my mom. Because my dad worked in Cape Verde, he used to come stay with us in 3-month stints:essentially spending half the year there and half the year here. ​Due to some issues with politics, work, and the long COVID period, that dynamic changed and his visits got shorter. At one point, I didn't see him for 2 whole years (fuck COVID). In recent years, he manages to stay here maybe 4 out of 12 months.

​We spend more time apart than together, and as sad as it is to admit, I’ve gotten used to it. I don't even really think to contact him when he’s over there, which makes me feel like a horrible daughter. ​Recently, he mentioned wanting to go to Lisbon to visit his siblings, cousins, and other family members (I’ve never really known my dad's side of the family, except for a few relatives I’ve met maybe 5 times in my entire life). He invited my sister and me to go with him. My mom can't come because of work, and my sister already has another trip planned.

Even though he told us we’re not forced to go, I know it would break his heart if I refused. I don't want to hurt him or make him feel like I don't care about my Cape Verdean roots, because that’s not true at all: I love my dad deeply and I'm proud of my heritage, even though sometimes I feel like I barely have the right to claim it.

​The thought of going on a trip alone with my dad to Lisbon to meet relatives who are essentially strangers makes me really uncomfortable. But the thought of hurting my dad and making him believe I don't feel like a part of him breaks my heart even more.

Am I overthinking it too much? Am I weird for feeling like this?

Posted Aug 8, 2026, 5:30 PM UTC

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