Redditor Shares How His Alcoholic Dad Wanted To Use Him To Take Money From His Uncle, But He Outsmarted Him And Took It All
"Not denying that what I did wasn’t shitty, but also f*ck my dad"
It started with a simple plan, and it turned into a full-on financial ambush. The OP’s alcoholic dad, already stuck in a never-ending cycle of drinking and being a POS, wanted to use him as the middleman to siphon money from his own uncle.
Here’s the messy part, the dad didn’t just ask for cash, he tried to set up a system where money would be wired, the uncle would get a code, then hand it to the OP.
And if that wasn’t complicated enough, the fallout from the dad’s behavior hit hard, including the animals left behind when he finally disappeared.
OP writes
Reddit/Ok_Opening_5704It was a never-ending cycle of the OP's dad drinking and being a POS
Reddit/Ok_Opening_5704When someone wires you money, they get a code, then give you the code, and you get the money
Reddit/Ok_Opening_5704
The moment the wiring code scheme came up, the OP had to choose between playing along and protecting himself from his dad’s latest scam.
This situation sheds light on the complexities of family dynamics, particularly regarding manipulation and financial exploitation.
In this case, the Redditor's experience with their alcoholic father exemplifies how familial roles can become entangled with financial obligations.
The comments came in, in their hundreds, and we've gathered a bunch of them below
Reddit/Ok_Opening_5704
The OP just honored his wishes
Reddit/Ok_Opening_5704
He would be pretty cool to know
Reddit/Ok_Opening_5704
That’s when the uncle had to be brought into the conversation, because the dad’s whole plan depended on the OP staying quiet and compliant.
The concept of learned helplessness is significant in understanding this scenario.
Research from Stanford University shows that individuals who experience repeated failures may come to believe they lack control over their circumstances.
This belief can perpetuate cycles of exploitation, as seen in the relationship between the Redditor and their father.
The OP explains what happened to the animals in the comments
It was a dog and two cats, and when my mom realized that he had fully left, she had to call the cops to break in so we could get them. There was poop literally everywhere, and no water or food, so it had been days. One of the cats we kept, and my mom found homes for the other two animals. The dog was really hard because my dad was so abusive; it had a lot of trauma and hated men, and the male cat was never neutered and was pretty wild, spraying everywhere, so my mom wouldn’t let us keep him.
Good on the OP for breaking the cycle
Reddit/Ok_Opening_5704
OP knows very little about him
Reddit/Ok_Opening_5704
Establishing a relationship with the uncle
Reddit/Ok_Opening_5704
The animal situation made it even worse, with the dog and two cats left in terrible conditions until OP’s mom had to call the cops to get in.
Establishing financial boundaries is crucial when dealing with family dynamics that involve manipulation.
OP should thank the uncle
Reddit/Ok_Opening_5704
OP should keep a lookout
Reddit/Ok_Opening_5704
OP was in the right
Reddit/Ok_Opening_5704
After all that, OP honoring the dad’s wishes was the twist, because it still left the uncle’s money with nowhere for the dad to go.
Therapeutic interventions can be beneficial in breaking the cycle of manipulation and fostering healthier family interactions.
The brain starts to adjust to a substance's repeated ingestion, which is when addiction begins. The brain's danger-sensing system is also impacted by addiction, causing people to experience worry and anxiety when they can't access the drug, leading to manipulation.
Many Redditors said OP's uncle has to know what's happening. It's not trustworthy to have OP's dad act as a go-between since he's trying to fill his pockets again.
Resilience plays a significant role in navigating complex family dynamics.
Studies show that individuals who cultivate resilience are better equipped to handle familial conflicts and emotional challenges.
Practicing self-care and seeking support from trusted friends or professionals can enhance resilience and emotional strength.
In navigating the tumultuous waters of family dynamics, especially when addiction is involved, the story of the Redditor illustrates the critical importance of setting boundaries. The narrative reveals how the protagonist confronted his alcoholic father’s manipulative attempts to exploit familial ties for financial gain. By outsmarting his father, he not only reclaimed control but also demonstrated the necessity of emotional regulation in these fraught relationships. His journey serves as a poignant reminder that effective communication and emotional resilience can empower individuals to navigate and redefine their family dynamics.
Nobody wants to be the family’s unpaid getaway driver, especially when the dog and cats are paying the price too.
Before you decide, read how one person asked, “Should I refuse to repay cousins gambling loan?” Should I refuse to repay cousins gambling loan?
