I think my Dad saw HIMSELF as a black sheep of the family. His own father was incredibly successful and very Victorian in that he was not a pal-sy Dad. My mom called Dad out on all his weaknesses and wouldn’t take his crap, basically. My sister and I are the issue from that failed marriage, so… When we (or our children) succeed, I notice he feels very uncomfortable. Or he’ll put down things like the Ivy League school (“I’d hire someone who got their degree ONLINE!”), getting the Eagle Badge (“I hated the Boy Scouts”) or Coast Guard Academy (“That doesn’t guarantee you a job”). He does give a grudging respect for athletic achievement, however!!

He wants his new family (all related through marriage only) to succeed over his original/”blood” family (Take that, Father and ex-wife!).

Very odd. “I can’t even!” as they now say.

• This reply was modified 9 years ago by Inky.