‘Food is love. And James and Erica have never loved [me]’: 17-year-old refuses to meal prep for his estranged older brother’s family despite pressure from parents who always played favorites

Born when his older brother was already 11 years old, this youngest sibling was always treated like a mistake. Made fun of, pushed around, and regarded as a second-rate citizen by his family, he grew a tough skin when it came to relative relationships, especially with his Golden Child older brother. So when the parents insisted the youngest sibling start meal prepping for the oldest brother in a time of need, the younger brother decided to give him a taste of his own medicine, ignoring him and refusing to extend a helping hand. 

Sometimes, sibling relationships are quite complicated. Envying the close friendships of other siblings around them, estranged siblings often wonder why they're not buddies with their brother or sister. Then, once the holidays roll around again, it's suddenly very clear why they were estranged in the first place. 

Although we can't choose our family, we can choose how to treat them. And after years of neglect and mistreatment, it's no surprise when a family member lashes out in response. You reap what you sow, and when it comes to family matters, there's no outrunning the inevitable consequences of mean behavior.