Why I hated my Dad

As a child Daniel enjoyed gardening with his father; a dismissive “shut up” and later gaming widened their distance. World of Warcraft addiction led to fights, £500 PayPal misuse, rejected skiing, and quitting a job his father secured after five months. Posthumous emails reveal his father blamed himself for Daniel’s bullying; Daniel regrets withholding affection and hopes his love was understood.

Bereavement transforms adolescent resentment into intense guilt, reframing his father’s discipline as attempted care.