An 18-year-old girl has severed all contact with her adoptive parents after they chose to prioritise a rare collectible toy for their younger biological daughter over attending her high school graduation — a milestone she says was one of the only things she had ever asked them to show up for.
The teen took to Reddit to share her experience, questioning whether her reaction was too harsh. Many online, however, rallied to her side, with commenters criticising the blatant favouritism shown by her parents.
According to the girl, she was adopted as a baby by a couple who struggled with fertility. Years later, they had a biological child — now 10 — whom the teen refers to as “Princess.” Over the years, Princess allegedly received the lion’s share of affection, attention, and expensive gifts, while the older sibling was often overlooked.
Graduation Day Overshadowed by a “Rare” Toy Hunt
The teenager explained that her younger sister had recently developed an obsession with Labubu toys — collectible plush keychains that have become a trendy item among Gen Alpha and high-end collectors alike. On the day of her graduation ceremony, a rare $350 Labubu doll reportedly became available for purchase within their city.
Rather than wait or make alternative arrangements, her parents chose to miss most of the ceremony to secure the toy. By the time they arrived, students were already tossing their mortarboards in the air.
To make matters worse, the girl received only $150 as a graduation gift — less than half of what was spent on the toy. Feeling hurt and unvalued, she decided to leave with her boyfriend after the ceremony and has since moved in with him permanently.
Parents Apologise — But Miss the Point
While the parents have since apologised and tried to make amends — even sending her an additional $100 — the teen says they fundamentally misunderstand why she’s upset.
“They think it’s about the money,” she wrote. “It’s not. It’s about priorities.”
The situation escalated when her adoptive parents threatened to report her as a missing person and contact her college, claiming she had run away. Many commenters pointed out that, as an adult, she is well within her rights to cut contact, especially in response to years of perceived emotional neglect.
Some Reddit users went further, suggesting she pre-emptively inform her future university about her estrangement and update her records to prevent any interference.
A Case of Emotional Neglect or Entitlement?
The story has sparked wider discussions about sibling favouritism, emotional neglect, and the psychological impact of being treated as “less than” in a household. It also shines a light on how symbolic events like graduations can represent much deeper wounds.
With high-CPC themes like family estrangement, mental health, toxic parenting, and college student independence, this story continues to draw intense engagement online.
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