OP, a mother of four children, recently threw a surprise party for her oldest daughter Zara, who turned 23. OP noted that the family usually doesn’t do big parties after double digits, except for 18th and 21st birthdays. However, due to Zara’s recent difficult time, OP made an exception and threw her a surprise party.
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So, What Went Wrong?
Zara was having a good time during the party until the cake was brought out. OP’s young nieces and nephews wanted to stand up with Zara, which she didn’t have a problem with. However, when Zara went to blow out the candles, her 5-year-old niece blew most of them out before her. OP’s youngest child put 23 candles on the cake, and there were still a few lit, which Zara blew out. Yet, Zara still looked angry and burst into tears before storming off.
After this, OP’s sister, the mother of the 5-year-old niece, got upset and embarrassed, believing that her daughter didn’t mean to do it and that Zara shouldn’t have reacted the way she did. OP and the rest of the family tried to calm her down and assured her that it was not her daughter’s fault.
OP talked to Zara about her reaction and called her a “selfish brat” for getting angry about birthday candles at the age of 23. However, Zara remained upset, and OP’s other children told her that she was not being fair to Zara.
It’s unclear why Zara reacted the way she did, but it’s possible that the incident with the candles may have been a trigger for deeper emotions. Understandably, Zara may have been embarrassed or upset about the situation and calling her a “selfish brat” definitely wasn’t the most constructive way to address her feelings. It’s important to acknowledge and validate people’s emotions, even if we don’t understand or agree with them.
Additionally, OP’s other children may have a point in suggesting that OP was unfair to Zara. Zara’s difficult time may have already put her on edge, and the candle incident may have been the tipping point for her. Instead of dismissing her feelings, OP could have tried to understand and address them more compassionately.
There Is No Reason to Withhold Compassion.
OP called her a “selfish brat” and seemed dismissive of her feelings. Understandably, Zara may have been upset, especially if she was already going through a difficult time. Additionally, OP’s comment that Zara is 23 and getting upset about birthday candles comes across as insensitive and cold-hearted. Empathy involves understanding and acknowledging someone else’s emotions and perspective – OP’s response definitely doesn’t demonstrate this.
“Instead of OP telling her daughter off, she should have just relit the candles immediately, held the kids back, and told her daughter to try again. Problem solved. I don’t know why people can’t see easy solutions.”
Most people agree that the situation should have been handled very differently.
Many people have expressed that the situation could have been handled better. Some suggest that the mother of the child who blew out the candles should have taken responsibility and acknowledged that her child made a mistake. This would have allowed the birthday girl’s mother to relight the candles and continue the tradition for her daughter.
While others have stated that it’s the responsibility of the niece’s parents to ensure they behave appropriately in social situations. For example, one commenter said:
“My 5-year-old would NEVER. Because she knows better. My 3-year-old might, because he’s 3 and, well, has the personality that he might try it lol. So, my job is to remind him and hold him back if needs be. Ya know, Parent my kid?”
There are several issues to consider in this situation. The auntie failed to react appropriately, while the mother may have overreacted to her daughter’s distress.
In conclusion, when a loved one reacts strongly to a seemingly minor incident, it’s essential to approach the situation with empathy and understanding. Calling someone names or dismissing their emotions is unhelpful and can worsen the situation. It’s crucial to validate and address people’s feelings compassionately and respectfully.
How would you have handled this situation?
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Source: Reddit