My Parents Call It Family Money and I’m Trapped in the Middle

Many parents have trouble respecting their children’s personal boundaries, thinking that they are allowed to do so since they brought them to life. Such behavior pushes parents to be emotionally manipulative and intrusive. This story proves why kids should set boundaries and make their parents respect them.

It all started when the inheritance arrived.

Being in this situation is heartbreaking, and that’s why this person wanted to share the story on Reddit and get everyone’s opinion. Let’s see what happened:

My grandparents were incredible people. They worked hard their entire lives and, when they passed, they left me an inheritance—not a fortune, but enough to give me a solid start in life. It was their way of securing my future, and I couldn’t be more grateful.

But then, my parents found out. Suddenly, this money wasn’t mine anymore—it was ‘family money.’

They started talking about using it to fund a luxurious family trip. You know, the kind where everyone flies first class and stays in five-star resorts. Their argument? ‘We raised you; you owe us,’ and, ‘This trip will bring the family closer together.’ I tried explaining that this wasn’t what my grandparents wanted, but they weren’t hearing it.

And that’s when they dropped the guilt bomb. But here’s where things get tricky. My parents started calling me selfish. They said I was putting money over family, that I should trust them to handle it, and that I was being ungrateful for all they’ve done for me.

But here’s the thing: my grandparents left that money for me, not them. It’s not like I don’t appreciate my parents, but does that mean they’re entitled to take something that wasn’t meant for them?

I stood my ground, but now the tension at home is unbearable. Every conversation turns into another argument, and they’re even getting other family members involved to pressure me. So now, I’m stuck between honoring my grandparents’ wishes and keeping the peace in my family. What would you do?

Comments of support started pouring in.

• I would use part of the money to get my own place if you haven’t already. As for the family, ask them WHY they weren’t left any money. Sounds as though your grandparents had them all figured out. @FaraSha_Au / Reddit
• Take the money and run. You don’t owe your parents anything, and they should want you to use it for something worthwhile, not frivolous vacations.
  Make sure it’s secure and don’t leave your bank details lying around. If your parents might have your bank details, open a new account they don’t know about and move the money there. @blanketsandplants / Reddit
• You don’t owe them anything for raising you. That was their job. They had fun bringing you into this world.
  There’s a reason it wasn’t left to them. Use it for what your grandparents intended. YOUR head start. @EnvironmentalBend977 / Reddit
• Parents who say ‘you owe us’ are bad parents. They chose to have you and bring you into this world, you didn’t ask to be born. You owe them nothing.
  If you want to spend the money on a holiday, that’s fine. But they can’t dictate to you how you spend your inheritance money. Putting that expectation and pressure on you is unbelievably selfish and unfair. @liebackandthinkofeng / Reddit

Oftentimes, parents disappoint and push their kids excessively, to the point that the latter want to get far away from them. Not only that, but they favor one kid over the other, leaving deep sadness marks. How would you feel if your parents didn’t even attend your wedding?