Determined to reclaim his independence and dignity, the boy uses his own hard-earned money to buy a new laptop, sparking anger and accusations from his father who sees gratitude only in compliance. This silent clash reveals a deeper struggle for recognition and respect within a blended family, where love and appreciation are tangled in misunderstandings and misplaced expectations.
My dad got me (17M) a used laptop last year for my birthday and I use it to for school and to write stories. But then his wife’s son (12m) wanted to use it too so now he said I have to share with him.
He uses it for hours, he freakin messed up the keyboard cause he eats when he uses it so they’re all sticky. A few times he’s messed with my stories that I have saved either adding his own stuff or “accidentally” deleting.
I got fed up so told my dad I don’t want to share it with him anymore if they’re not gonna make him stop messing with it.
My dad said he bought it so I can’t say anything unless I buy my own stuff.
I have my own part time job and have my money saved up so what I ended up doing was going to Best Buy and buying myself one. This one was a lot nicer too since is not used
Now her son mad because he likes this one more and my dad is pissed that I bought another laptop. He called me ungrateful for not appreciating my b-day gift and it wasn’t a big deal letting her son use it.
Conclusion
The original poster (OP) felt that their property, given as a birthday gift, was being misused and damaged by a stepsibling, leading to a conflict with their father over usage rights. In response to the father’s directive to share or purchase their own device, the OP used their earned income to acquire a superior replacement, which has now angered both the father and the stepsibling.
The core debate centers on ownership rights versus familial obligation when a gift is provided within a blended family structure. Should the OP be afforded full autonomy over the item they use for essential tasks like schoolwork, or does the parental provider retain ultimate authority to dictate its use, even if that use results in damage or disruption?
Here’s how people reacted:
If it was actually a birthday gift it would have been your computer in the first place, with only you deciding what happened to it. Since you were forced to share then clearly the original laptop wasn’t yours, therefore claiming it as a birthday gift has the same effect as buying groceries and then handing you a bag of chips as a gift and saying ‘share with everyone’. It’s something the FAMILY needed disguised as a birthday gift.
Tell your stepbrother or whatever he is HOW you got it, maybe you’ll be a good influence in motivating him to work hard. Also lock it up when you’re not using it and put passwords on it and disable ‘guest’ accounts, otherwise he might use it without your permission.
I don’t fully blame the kid, he’s being a bit of a pain in the arse, but he’s 12. Your dad is an asshole however. Flaunt that laptop!
But make sure to keep it away from grubby prying hands – A password will stop him logging in, but not from smearing it with jam in the process!
Edit: I have no idea what a “goft” was, but I want one!
What your *father* should appreciate is that you took his advice and applied it to a problem you were facing with a good result. I’m actually surprised he isn’t trying to make you share it based on so many other posts I seen in this sub; wonder if he’ll surprise you further by giving your stepbrother the same “advice” he gave you (you want something of your own, buy it).
If I was asked to let the little bro borrow it, he gets his own non privileged account. He can use the browser and play what games are on it. No installing anything and no access to my files.
Dad: Here’s your birthday present, Happy Birthday!
Dad: You have to share it with 12.
Dad: I bought it, it’s mine. Buy your own if you don’t want to share the gift I gave you.
Dad: You’re ungrateful because you went out and bought your own instead if sharing the gift I gave you.
Your dad doesn’t get the concept of gift.
(Edit to fix formatting)
And even if your dad did buy it, he doesn’t get to make those kinds of decision s about it. It became your property when he gifted it to you.
Your dad is already a hypocrite.
I got a computer for my birthday once, didn’t have to share with anyone. Console was brought for Christmas was a shared gift for all siblings, no ownership there unlike when you specify get for someone.
First of all, telling someone they have to share a gift is a jerk move. Then not teaching your stepbrother to take care of others things is disrespectful to you. Buying your own laptop, under the circumstances, was the most responsible thing to do, far more responsible than anyone else has been in this situation.
“I am ungrateful you force me to let a kid ruin my birthday present just because you can’t tell your new wife no, very ungrateful.”
He literally told you to buy your own stuff. Having to share with someone like that was unfair to begin with