Woman Says Mother Urged Her to Reject Two Job Offers
A Reddit user said she was nearly 30 and had been unemployed since May when she began applying for work. Writing in the r/GirlDinnerDiaries subreddit under the username FrontalLobeSorbet, she said she was scheduled for two job interviews during the same week and ultimately received offers for both positions.
After weighing the two opportunities, the woman said she selected the first job because it was government-adjacent, meaning her work would be closely affiliated with the public sector. She also said the position offered her highest salary to date.
The woman said she was excited to tell her mother about the achievement, particularly because she had secured two offers without having a bachelor’s degree. Instead of congratulating her, however, her mother advised her to decline both positions and continue looking for another job. The post’s headline described the emotional impact as ‘I Didn’t Even Get a Congratulations’.
Mother’s Concerns Were Linked to Bipolar Disorder, Reddit User Says
According to the Reddit post, the selected job requires some driving. The woman said she was diagnosed with bipolar disorder and that the condition contributed to a vehicle accident when she was 21. She added that she has taken medication since receiving the diagnosis.
Despite her mother’s advice, the woman said she accepted the job. She explained that she was particularly upset because her mother did not acknowledge the accomplishment. The Reddit user interpreted the response as an attempt by her mother to retain some control or authority over her, even though she has been married and living independently for more than 10 years.
She also said she had long sought her mother’s approval and continued to feel unloved as an adult because she did not receive the praise she wanted. Reddit commenters responded with congratulations and suggestions for books about difficult parent-child relationships.
Reddit Users Share Advice and Similar Experiences
One commenter recommended books by Karyl Mcbride and Lindsay Gibson, writing, “Karyl Mcbride’s book “Will I Ever be Enough” and Lindsay Gibson’s “Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents” might hit hard for you. After a million years of therapy and psychiatry, Gibson’s book was what actually got through to me and set me free.”
Another commenter said their own mother had pressured them to reject employment, writing, “Dude my mom wants to keep me in the mf house and claim me as a dependent so she gets money back on taxes and she’s vying for a government check. This has happened to me soooo many times. Turned down a really good job 4 months ago and f—–g regret it. You’re not alone.”
The Daily Dot said it could not independently verify the events described in the post. The account of the woman’s unemployment, job offers and relationship with her mother comes solely from the Reddit user.
Why This Matters
The post highlights the difficulty of making employment decisions while navigating family pressure, mental health concerns and a long search for work. It also shows how online communities can provide emotional validation and practical reading recommendations when users describe conflicts over independence and parental approval. In this case, the Reddit user said she accepted the position despite her mother’s objections, but the account does not provide further details about the job or what happened after she started it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the woman’s mother tell her to reject both job offers?
The Reddit user said her mother was concerned because the job she chose requires some driving and because the woman has bipolar disorder. She also said she had been involved in a vehicle accident at age 21 that she attributed to the condition.
Which job did the woman choose?
She said she chose the first offer, a government-adjacent role that would be closely affiliated with the public sector and pay her highest salary to date.
Were the events independently verified?
No. The Daily Dot reported that it could not independently verify the Reddit user’s account of her unemployment, job offers or relationship with her mother.