They Left Him Home Alone for His 17th Birthday
OP’s parents and brother had to fly out to meet some doctors during OP’s 17th birthday, so they allowed him to stay home alone. OP was hoping to spend his birthday with his family.It Made Him Sad
But instead, he ended up blowing out candles alone on a lousy cookie and cried. He felt lonely and wanted to be with his family.His Brother Couldn’t Stop Talking About Himself
OP feels that he has been put on the back burner because of his brother’s needs. When his family returned two days later, his brother couldn’t stop talking about himself, which was frustrating for OP. Even during OP’s makeup birthday dinner, they talked about the trip.He Asked if They Could Talk About Something Else
After dinner, OP asked if they could talk about something else and expressed that he was angry that they couldn’t celebrate his actual birthday.They Said He Was Selfish
However, his parents accused him of being selfish, and his brother was hurt.Online Users Comment on the Problem
This online user took a more measured approach to OP’s experience compared to many in the thread: “The problem isn’t that both parents went to the appointment with the teenager. The problem is they didn’t make an effort to find ways to support their other child, knowing he was in a difficult position. They could have taken him on the trip; they could have made a bigger celebration out of his belated birthday–something. Sometimes unavoidable and unpleasant conflicts crop up. So you make an effort to compensate, and it doesn’t sound like they did.”They Have a Right To Be Upset
Rightfully, this writer gets to the crux of the matter. OP simply felt left behind and lonely on their birthday. They are young and reasonably innocent, and they have a right to be upset by their parent neglect.All the Attention Is on the Other Sibling
It is understandable that both parents would want to attend their child’s major surgery. However, it was the fact that they made no accommodations for OP was the primary issue. Perhaps one parent could have attended, or perhaps they could have celebrated the birthday early. In either case, it seems like all of the attention was on the other sibling.He Still Needs Lots of Support at 17
As an adult, we are more aware of the consequences of normal life that gets in the way of things was want to do. However, these parents are responsible for OP, which still requires a lot of support at their age.It’s a Story About 3 Adults and a Child
There is a large cohort of members who noted that, ultimately, this situation involves 3 adults and a child. “Everyone saying yta or nah doesn’t seem to understand that 3 adults left a teen (almost an adult) alone on his birthday. His brother could’ve gone alone or taken one parent but nope. To make it up to him, they have a make-up dinner and then proceed to discuss the trip that he was excluded from. And when he brings up his feelings he’s being called selfish for wanting one day that’s for him.”It Is Remarkably Unfair
This writer clearly feels very strongly that the OP has not been treated fairly. OP’s sibling is technically an adult. Therefore, effectively all three adults of the household left the 17-year-old OP, who is technically a child, to fend for themselves. In this case, it is remarkably unfair and, in some sense, illegal to have left OP on their own.They Could Have Taken Him on the Trip
The commenter then points out that there doesn’t appear to be any accommodation for OP to have gone with them to the surgery. This could have worked into an impromptu birthday celebration as part of the trip for the surgery.They Clearly Have a Favorite Child
Moreover, and arguably worst of all, after they returned from the surgery, OP was challenged for wanting attention. This is very unreasonable for the parents not to consider OP’s feelings in this situation. In essence, it appears as if the parents have a favorite child, and OP is being left behind.