What do you do when your dad lets you down?

Question

My dad promised me all the way in June to take me to a skateboarding competition in November.
I was really excited. I talked about it nonstop, even made a chart counting down the days.
I ask him about it a week ago, and he said he couldn't take me because of his work.
It upsets me because, no matter how immature this sounds, this was really important to me.
I can't find no one else to take me and I'm upset, and I can't stop crying.
I hate him so much because he always has work, and he always expects so much from me. The one thing I expect from him, he can't do.
He says he's working to support our family
But working sometimes won't make your family happy.
It's the virtue of being able to make someone smile
and not cry.
Am I right?
What should I do?

I'm 13years old

Answer 1

I am a single mother of a 15 year old daughter, and before, I have told her I would be some where, and then it came down to my job (our means of survival...food, shelter, clothes, etc.....), or letting her down. I wanted so bad to be there, and sometimes I would cry, tho she never knew. As parents, its so easy to get caught up in providing, sometimes we forget to realize what is actually important....we are working so we can give our children everything they need, when so many times, what they need is us. I know that if I stopped working, and sit home with her everyday, and stopped buying those name brand clothes......well, she would probably be more upset than me missing an activity. Don't know if this helps, but maybe it can give you some insight into a parent's world. Good luck dear! Sorry about your competition.

Answer 2

Oh, i'm sorry. The thing is, he really is working for the family. I know that you really wanted to go, but sometimes people get too carried away in their work. They think their doing it to make the family have a better life, but they get too caught up in it that they don't realize that it's not giving them a better life, all their kids and wives want is for their daddy and husband to be around. Think about it though, he's trying to support the family, set food on the table, make sure you guys have a roof over your head, etc. When I was little, about 7 yrs old, this happened to me, until my dad quit his job and started his own business. Anyways, what I told myself was to be thankful for all that the money he's made has given to us, nice clothes, being warm when I come home from school, etc. I know that your dad wanted to be there, and he probably hates having to work all the time and never being able to come home and be with his family for like 2 minutes. It's not only you who hates it, but also him, think about what he's missing out on too, so try to give him a break. Tell him how much this skateboard contest meant to you, maybe he will realize something.

Answer 3

I feel bad for you. It seems like you were really excited to go.
You don't say how old you are but you have to understan that sometimes work has to come first. that being said, if your dad does this kind of thing to you all the time then you need to do one of 2 things.
1. Talk to him. Tell him how hurt you are and how much you were looking forward to this. Explain to him that you appreciate what he does for your family but sometimes he needs to just be a dad to you and spend a little time with you.
or
2. You need to stop expecting thngs from him. If he tells you that he will do something, don't expect it. then you won't be let down when it doesn't happen and you will be pleasantly surprised when it does.
I wish you luck and hope that it all works out for you.

Answer 4

Life comes at you fast and we as parents make decisions concerning our children with the best of intentions and then this little thing called LIFE happens and our responsibilities suddenly change and the priority for the sake of the greater good takes immediate center stage over-shadowing some of our previous engagements...Which is very true...And yet you may still just be a little too young to understand...

Answer 5

Being a hard-working responsible DAD in todays world is ver-very demanding!! I worked nite shift for several years, missing nearly all of my kids things, but we also had to live!!=$$$ Be gentle w/dad, he loves you, I've got 2 daughters, and they r in their 30's+, but they are still my lil girls forever!!!

Answer 6

I know its hard i have been let down too! It is very hard to get over it and it takes time! I dont blame you for being mad! Things might cange and you might still get to go!!!