“We Sacrificed Everything for Our Kids: Do I Deserve This Disrespect?”

Nathan and I met in high school, and we married young. We were both from working-class families, so we knew the value of hard work and sacrifice. When our daughters, Ariana and Scarlett, were born, we vowed to give them the best life possible, even if it meant putting our own needs aside.

We both worked at the local factory, Nathan on the assembly line and me in quality control. The pay was modest, but we managed to make ends meet. We lived in a small, two-bedroom house in a modest neighborhood. Our home was humble, but it was filled with love and dreams for our daughters’ futures.

From the moment Ariana and Scarlett started school, we made sure they had everything they needed to succeed. We bought them new clothes, school supplies, and even managed to save enough for extracurricular activities. We wanted them to have the same opportunities as children from wealthier families.

Nathan and I often skipped meals or wore old clothes so that our girls could have new ones. We never went on vacations or splurged on luxuries. Our lives revolved around making sure Ariana and Scarlett had what they needed to thrive.

As the years went by, our sacrifices seemed to pay off. Ariana excelled in academics and was accepted into a prestigious college. Scarlett was a talented artist and received a scholarship to an art school. We were overjoyed and proud of their achievements.

However, as they grew older, things began to change. Ariana became distant and rarely called or visited. Scarlett moved to another state for her art career and seemed to forget about us entirely. The once close-knit family we had worked so hard to build was falling apart.

One day, Nathan and I received a call from Ariana. She needed money for her rent because she had lost her job. Despite our financial struggles, we sent her what little we had saved. We hoped this would bring her closer to us again, but it didn’t.

Scarlett’s calls became less frequent, and when she did call, it was only to ask for money or complain about her life. She never asked how we were doing or offered any help. It felt like all our sacrifices were in vain.

Nathan’s health began to decline due to the years of hard labor at the factory. He developed chronic back pain and arthritis, making it difficult for him to work. I took on extra shifts to make up for his reduced hours, but it was never enough.

One evening, as I sat alone in our small living room, I couldn’t help but feel a deep sense of betrayal. We had given everything for our daughters, yet they showed us no respect or gratitude. The love and care we had poured into them seemed to have been forgotten.

Nathan passed away a few months later, leaving me heartbroken and alone. Ariana and Scarlett attended the funeral but left immediately afterward, without offering any support or comfort.

Now, as I sit in our empty house, I wonder if all our sacrifices were worth it. Did we do something wrong? Did we fail as parents? The pain of their disrespect cuts deep, and I can’t help but feel that we deserved better.