Weird behaviour or not?

[Anonymous]

For the past two years, I’ve decided to go on a solo holiday during the summer time - which has been great.

However last year when I mentioned to my parents that I was going, my dad was like ‘oh I could come with you!’ And I just automatically thought no…because for me it would be weird going alone with my dad. So I just didn’t really respond and ignored the comment.

This year, same again. He made a joke about going with me by saying ‘oh I could just come along and you could pretend you’re my carer’ sort of thing. I just ignored that comment as well and thought no way.

Just before I left for my holiday, my dad was suggesting to my mum that they should go to the Maldives. To which my mum declined and said ‘she’ll go with you’ meaning me. To which I got angry and said ‘don’t be so stupid’. She laughed but I genuinely didn’t find it funny.

Am I overreacting?

You’re not overreacting.

You’re slightly overreacting.

This is weird.

This is not weird.

[Malemajor]

Is this your biological or step dad? Either ways it seems odd that he wants to join you.

[Asker]

My biological dad.

[Malemajor]

I find the situation interesting. May I ask—based on your observations—how is the relationship between your mother and father? Do they genuinely enjoy each other’s presence? Is your father often preoccupied with work and other commitments?

Human behavior is shaped by a wide range of factors, both personal and environmental. While I am pursuing a degree in psychology and occasionally offer guidance to couples within the limits of my current knowledge, your situation is distinct—it concerns a father-daughter dynamic.

I have always hoped to raise a daughter, though I have not had that opportunity. This means I cannot fully replicate or understand the precise emotions your father experiences when he wishes to spend time with you. However, as a parent to a 14-year-old son, I deeply value our time together—it feels meditative and peaceful. I am constantly aware that these moments are fleeting and will not return once he grows older.

It is possible that your father feels something similar toward you. In that sense, his desire to spend time with you is not only natural but also a reflection of the unique bond you share. It is fortunate, too, that he is your biological father, as that can add an additional layer of emotional connection.

Note: Please do not take this at face value. This is just my assumption.

[Asker]

I’ve never ever looked at my parents and felt like they loved each other and it’s had a negative impact on me in ways. Not once did I really feel our home was a loving environment. Often growing up my mum would complain to me about my dad and my dad would complain to me about my mum. I was a teenager. Not once have any of them ever really asked me how I am or what’s happening in my life. And now? I don’t trust either of them or share any details of my life with them. I’ve never been able to turn to my mum, and I’ve went through heaps of difficult things all alone.

I’m actually not sure why either of them got married to be honest.

[Asker]

Can the brain make fake memories…like memories of being sexually abused? ↗

Check that question out 👍🏻

[Malemajor]

My kid is in your situation now. I'm trying to spend as much time with him as possible

[Paul09]

It's your dad. Dad's are weird. And it's your dad! Why you act like he's a stranger? Is he a scary man or something? Joke back. Or tell him no.

[Asker]

I’m not particularly close with my parents

[Malemajor]

I think I’m beginning to understand. Perhaps he feels some guilt about the past. Let me share an example from my own life. One of the reasons I value my time with my son so deeply now is because I spent so many years consumed by my career and chasing financial goals.

I still remember one moment vividly: my son, just a toddler in his little diapers, brought me the TV remote while I was on an important work call, asking me to turn the television on. I was stressed and distracted, and I snapped at him. The startled look on his face—pure shock—still plays in my mind like a scene from a dream. It was such a small incident, but moments like that have a way of lingering. They leave a mark on you, and sometimes the guilt never completely fades.

So, unless you already know that his intentions are questionable, I’d encourage you not to approach him with unnecessary combativeness, regardless of what decision you make in your relationship with him. From my own experience, I’ve always enjoyed the company of both older people and young children. It’s often the middle years—from around 18 to 45—where I’ve encountered the most resentment and guilt in people. He may be feeling lonely

[Paul09]

I'm not super close either with my parents. But I should be. I'm still the same son when I'm Around them. And I say it like it is. If I disagree with something, I speak my mind. We should be doing more things with them. They made us after all, we are still their babies forever.

[Paul09]

@Malemajor That's could be true. We are our parents children forever. Can't brush that under a rug. No one will love you like your parents. And parents can get lonely when they get older

[Malemajor]

100% !

[Anonymous]

There will be a time when you'll give everything you have to be able to take a trip like this with your dad, and it will be too late.

[MasterKS]

Such a weird parents.

[Asker]

I thought that too tbh

[MasterKS]

@asker how do you deal with them?

[Malemajor]

Yeah. Mom suggesting to stay out and encouraging daughter?

That said, without understanding the history and underlying family dynamics, it’s impossible to draw firm conclusions.

For example, in my own life, I sometimes encourage my son to take part in the Instagram reels my wife creates—even though she teases me and treats me like a child for not following the scripted steps from someone else’s content. During our trips, her constant need for photos and videos can feel excessive, but we make a shared effort to humor her creative, performative side for the sake of her 120,000 followers. It’s a balancing act, and we’ve learned to share that burden together.

I am sensing such namesake relationship with no love but just transactional between the parents. Sorry If I read their relationship wrong.