A sixteen-year-old boy decided that this year, his mom’s anniversary gift would tell a story literally. Six years after she left the family for another man, he gave her Anna Karenina, the infamous novel about a woman whose affair destroys her life. His mom, an English-literature major, recognized the symbolism instantly.
The party ended early, the tears came late, and Reddit exploded with opinions. Was this an act of cruelty or a cry for help from a kid still reeling from betrayal? The post raised raw questions about forgiveness, unresolved pain, and how children carry the emotional weight of their parents’ choices.
One teenage boy, still grieving the fallout of his mother’s affair, gave her a pointed anniversary present: Anna Karenina
Parental relationships are complicated, and the ways children process past betrayals can be even more so. Sometimes, resentment lingers for years, shaping how a child interacts with a parent and their new family.
This isn’t unusual, adolescents often use symbolic actions to express emotions they don’t yet have the tools to communicate directly.
According to a study published in the Journal of Child and Family Studies, children of parents who engaged in infidelity or abrupt separation may carry heightened mistrust and anger into adolescence, which can manifest as withdrawal, sarcasm, or indirect expressions of displeasure, such as gifts or comments.
Experts note that these behaviors are often less about punishment and more about processing complex emotions safely.
“In cases of parental estrangement or perceived betrayal, children often struggle to reconcile affection with disappointment,” writes Dr. Lisa Firestone, a clinical psychologist specializing in family dynamics. “Symbolic gestures, even when provocative, can be an attempt to communicate feelings of hurt and anger that are otherwise difficult to articulate.”
In the scenario described, the OP, a 16-year-old, gave their mother a copy of Anna Karenina, a novel about abandonment and infidelity, on her anniversary. The gift was not meant to cause harm but to reflect the pain of past experiences, namely the mother’s affair and the child’s perception of the fractured family.
The mother’s emotional reaction was intense, but experts emphasize that this is a normal response when unresolved trauma is mirrored back.
Family therapists recommend open communication and structured support in such situations. A neutral mediator or counselor can help both parent and child discuss underlying feelings safely, validate experiences, and begin to rebuild trust (American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry).
Addressing these emotions proactively can prevent long-term resentment and improve family cohesion.
Ultimately, while the gift caused immediate emotional distress, it also served as a window into the child’s inner experience, highlighting the lingering impact of past betrayals. Healing in these contexts often requires patience, empathy, and professional guidance.
These are the responses from Reddit users:
These Redditors backed OP’s choice, calling it justified or “delightfully petty”
This group took a more empathetic stance, suggesting OP’s pain and resentment need addressing through therapy
This commenter called OP out directly, saying they clearly intended to hurt their mom and succeeded
So, what do you think? Was this teen justified in his literary sting, or did he let revenge overshadow a chance at reconciliation? Would you have done the same in his shoes? Share your thoughts below.
