When Being a Dad Feels Like Being a Doormat: One Father’s Breaking Point

This deeply emotional story captures the inner turmoil of a 52-year-old father who feels sidelined in his own family. Married with two kids—a son preparing to leave for college and a 14-year-old daughter—he shares his growing feelings of irrelevance and emotional exhaustion, especially at the hands of his daughter. Once close, their relationship took a sharp turn about five years ago, transforming from loving to cold and hostile. Despite efforts to mend things through gifts, talks, and therapy, the father feels perpetually ignored and humiliated, especially in public and family settings.

While the mother has only recently acknowledged the issue, and promises support, the damage seems deep and lasting. The father, battling depression and self-esteem issues, finds himself constantly disrespected by his daughter and gradually shut out by his son and even his wife. The emotional toll has become unbearable, leading him to contemplate leaving the family home—not as a dramatic exit, but as an act of self-preservation.

Some children are more difficult to raise than others

But one dad decided that he really couldn’t handle his daughter