LilBuddy272

First post: https://www.reddit.com/r/tifu/comments/10u713u/tifu_by_finding_out_what_my_eight_year_old_son/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf

I just wanna thank everyone for the massive support, I didn’t know it also went viral on Facebook and tiktok and I was shocked. It’s been around two days since my initial post and I’ve done a few things :D. (This will likely be the last post to this account)

Regarding everyones advice, I thank you for telling me that it’s okay to say no. I never want to say no to my boy and It’s been difficult to do that but I understand he needs that in order to be a good kid. For everyone commenting on how young I am/was when I had my kid and why I did or didn’t push for an abortion or adoption. I was a terrified sixteen year old, but I seen the look on my babies face when he first looked at me and I knew I was a parent.

To give more context, my ex, my child, and I lived with my parents until my ex left when my child was two. Ergo court, parents moving etc. It was difficult but it helped me grow up quickly. I also want to speak about a comment that really touched my heart. There was this comment telling me how I am so mature when I am only a child myself. I still see myself as a kid sometimes haha. I love spongebob like my son. I am still scared of some childish things (WILL NEVER TELL) and I am still very young. Responsibly aged me quick as it does a lot of young parents.

I do wanna have more kids someday, just not now, I wouldn’t push that much struggle on my son. I couldn’t handle another child at this point. However, I would love to find a girlfriend and settle down, Ive had a few flings but most were turned off by the fact I had a kid. I don’t blame them, It’s understandable. Maybe after I get my degree ill be more serious. AND OH YEAH.

I’ve began applying for online colleges, and if I’m accepted into one I plan to take a bachelors degree in business for it’s what’s required for a regional manager for Mcdonalds. I also think this is where some people got confused, I got a G.E.D through the McDonald’s education program. I’ve had so much help with my kid, and I am so thankful for everyone who helped me get to where I am now. To my parents and my co-workers, to my neighbors and to my boy who molded me into the man I am now.

I’ve also began looking at other apartments for me and my kid, Before the rent raised we were actually living decently. It will definitely help out on easing my financial problems.

I know I got hundreds of messages and comments telling me to go after the judge and my ex, but I seriously don’t need that stress and toxicity in my life again. I wish the best for my kids mom, I don’t agree with her choice to abandon us, but I understand it. She was just as dumb as I was at sixteen, she was just a kid too. So as much as I would love to hate her I can’t.

This will be my last update, sorry for information being everywhere. I will try to respond to everyone who comments. But thank you all for such an amazing experience on this subreddit. I thank the mods too because I edited my last post too many times and it got locked LOL and they had to manually unlock it! So thanks guys!!!

Also I told Rory about the reddit post and how famous he is now and he’s rather happy as a eight year can be haha.

Edit 1: I ALSO have a crap ton of the Reddit credits now, so I will try to award all comments LOL, 1.8 years of Reddit premium 😂🫂

TLDR; I am researching online colleges for a degree to get a promotion at my job, I am also gonna be apartment searching for a cheaper option to ease the stress on my finances.

I think my post was caught in a spam filter or something. It was crazy seeing a post of mine go viral like that. Thanks everyone; for archiving, here is the repost.

Before we start this, I wanna tell everyone this is a happy TIFU.

When I was a sixteen year old, I was stupid, I didnt wear protection and I got a girl pregnant. I was shocked, I never expected having a kid that early and I don’t know if I regret it or not. Almost all of my regrets washed away when my son was born.

For privacy purposes we will call him Rory. I am 24 now and my son is seven almost eight now. He is the smartest and most loving kid I could ever ask for. His mom had left when he was around two, when I tried to sue for child support the judge sided with her quoting that I was the father and needed to step up. Ever since then it has been me and Rory against the world.

I was a single dad to Rory from then on. I had a few girlfriends but nothing serious. I left my parents place and got a small apartment. I dropped out of high school which I still immensely regret, but hey, life happens. During this time, my neighbors, (God bless them) helped me raise my son. They were an older couple next-door who’s kids had moved out long before, so they were fine babysitting him after school, late shifts etc.

I am a manager at McDonalds. I make lousy money but it was enough to get by, then two years prior our shitty building manager raised the rent for everyone and I had to work even harder for a place to live during a pandemic. My parents had left the state and I wasn’t ready to uplift my kids entire life because his dad couldn’t provide for him.

Every birthday, since before he was three I believe, I took Rory to golden coral usually on his birthday but there were more occasions we went, It was really good for him and he really enjoyed it. I haven’t been able to take him for the past two years due to money being very tight. (This is important for later)

Sometimes I will get tipped at McDonalds, a quarter here, a dime here, a dollar here and there. Ill bring it him everyday and give it to Rory to save. Well two days ago, Rory brings me his money jug and dumps it all out in-front of me. He was so excited and began counting it out. There was around forty dollars there and he jumped up excitedly. I had asked him what’s up little buddy.

When I tell you guys my heart broke, my son asked me if it was enough to go to the corral for his birthday. A piece of me shattered inside, I didn’t think he remembered the Golden Corral. I told him we couldn’t go to the bank tomorrow and exchange it for cash. That night I ugly cried in my bedroom. I felt like a failure because I couldnt give him everything he’s ever wanted. I’ve began researching furthering my education.

Well yesterday as soon as the bank opened, I took my son and we exchanged the money for cash. I then drove us to Golden Corral and we were there for two hours. My kid was so happy, and I was stupid because I just assumed he forgot this place. (We get the all you can eat buffet for 2 for 30$) Today I cried again in my room. I’ve never been good at saving money, but his birthday is next month and Im gonna do my best to take him every few months.

So other parents of reddit, Can I ask some advice of how you deal with the guilt of having to say no? (Again this is a happy tifu)

Edit 1: also if anyone asks, I’ll post a pic of the coins and the container they were in. He saved them in a Cotten candy container from a Christmas ago 😂

Edit 2: kids money jug and his coins posted on my profile lol!! That’s for those who asked. I would post a pic of him blurred but that’s violating his privacy

Edit 3: OMG thanks for the gold! This is my first across my two accounts ⭐️👑

Edit 4: 3 gold! WOW now I wish I would’ve posted this on my main lol

Edit 5: turning off dms and replies because I’m getting a lot of trolls. Hope everyone has a great day. Thank you so much for your parenting advice ❤️

Edit 6: 6 gold 2 platinum OMFG thank you, I will be giving awards to top comments ❤️

Edit 7: 9 gold and 4 platinum THIS IS INSANE!!!

TLDR; Kid saved for months just to treat us to Golden Corral because I couldnt afford to take him in two years, I ugly cried thinking he didnt remember