AITA for not telling my mom I’m graduating until after the ceremony ?

r/

Why i won’t tell my mom i am graduating

So… I’m about to graduate for the second time. But this time, my mom won’t know until I’ve already done the whole ceremony.

During my first degree graduation, it was supposed to be one of those “proud family moments.” But for me, it was heavy. I had fought tooth and nail to finish that course I almost got expelled for an exam irregularity that luckily didn’t go through. That whole year was a nightmare. By the time graduation came, I was holding back tears all morning.

I broke down. Fully. Crying my eyes out while trying to put on the gown. One of the ladies helping to pin the gowns saw me, called my mom aside, and told her gently that it’s normal for people to get emotional on such a big day.

Instead of comfort, my mom just said, “Don’t be stupid and emotional,” right there. And she told me to stop “overreacting” because it should be a happy day. Even after the gown lady pinned me for free, and scolded mom for being mean to me . She kept hurrying me, scolding me like I was ruining her day.

I didn’t even get to take pictures with my classmates. She told me, “If you don’t want to go, stay here, you’ll bring yourself,” and basically rushed me out. By the end of the day, my biggest memory of my graduation wasn’t my hard work it was feeling humiliated.

So this time, I’ve decided to protect my peace. I’ll go, graduate, take my pictures, celebrate with friends… then I’ll tell her afterwards. I love my mom she’s shown up for me in many ways but I don’t trust her not to make this about her feelings instead of letting me experience mine.

what do you guys think?

Comments

  1. AutoModerator Avatar

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    Why i won’t tell my mom i am graduating

    So… I’m about to graduate for the second time. But this time, my mom won’t know until I’ve already done the whole ceremony.

    During my first degree graduation, it was supposed to be one of those “proud family moments.” But for me, it was heavy. I had fought tooth and nail to finish that course I almost got expelled for an exam irregularity that luckily didn’t go through. That whole year was a nightmare. By the time graduation came, I was holding back tears all morning.

    I broke down. Fully. Crying my eyes out while trying to put on the gown. One of the ladies helping to pin the gowns saw me, called my mom aside, and told her gently that it’s normal for people to get emotional on such a big day.

    Instead of comfort, my mom just said, “Don’t be stupid and emotional,” right there. And she told me to stop “overreacting” because it should be a happy day. Even after the gown lady pinned me for free, and scolded mom for kunikelesha . She kept hurrying me, scolding me like I was ruining her day.

    I didn’t even get to take pictures with my classmates. She told me, “If you don’t want to go, stay here, you’ll bring yourself,” and basically rushed me out. By the end of the day, my biggest memory of my graduation wasn’t my hard work it was feeling humiliated.

    So this time, I’ve decided to protect my peace. I’ll go, graduate, take my pictures, celebrate with friends… then I’ll tell her afterwards. I love my mom she’s shown up for me in many ways but I don’t trust her not to make this about her feelings instead of letting me experience mine.

    what do you guys think?

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    > Because a moment like graduation is a big deal so I’m conflicted if not telling her is wrong

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  3. pottersquash Avatar

    NAH. W/e decision you make is the decision you make.

  4. No_Consideration8800 Avatar

    NTA, you deserve to celebrate your accomplishments without having someone tear you down just because you’re (understandably) emotional.

  5. oop_norf Avatar

    >what do you guys think?

    I think that sounds like a reasonable plan, that you’re NTA, and that she did it to herself.

    I also think that I don’t know what ‘kunikelesha’ means and Google isn’t helping, but I don’t think it would change the result.

  6. Numerous-Opposite948 Avatar

    Enjoy YOUR day, it’s not her day. You’d never have to tell her, realistically. If she’s going to be shitty about it, it’s not her business

  7. Kitchen_Upstairs_598 Avatar

    Congratulations!
    NTA.

  8. stoic_yakker Avatar

    Sounds like r/RaisedByNarcissists

  9. Firm-Molasses-4913 Avatar

    I think you can enjoy your graduation the way you want but if you tell her afterwards she’s going to punish you. So you have to be careful. Don’t tell her? Bring it into a conversation casually like it’s no big deal? Tell her you didn’t want a repeat of the first graduation? Tell her you didn’t want to stress her like last time? I’m torn. You know your mother so only you can decide how best to proceed. Congratulations and enjoy your day

  10. International-Fee255 Avatar

    NTA
    How great for you! Congratulations, enjoy your day.