Father's Allergy Clashes With Mother's Plan To Manage Son's Anger Through Animal Shelter Volunteering

" He is picking him up tonight and made it clear he wants me not to take my son to the shelter. "

Damjan

• Published in Interesting
• February 29, 2024

In the tricky world of raising kids, finding the right way to help them grow up healthy and happy while also making sure everyone in the family is okay can be tough. This story is about a 13-year-old kid who has a hard time with anger, his mom who's trying to find new ways to help him, and his dad who has really bad allergies.

OP, a single mother of a 13-year-old son, faced the reality of her child's anger issues. Despite enrolling her son in a counseling program, the lack of progress led to the program suggesting an alternative approach. This suggestion came in the form of having her son volunteer at the local animal shelter, effectively indicating the program's inability to address her son's needs.

Upon contacting the shelter and explaining the situation, OP was relieved when they offered her son an opportunity to work with the larger dogs, with the possibility of progressing to smaller animals as trust developed. For the past two weeks, OP's son has been attending the shelter on Tuesdays and Thursdays after school. Although it seemed beneficial, it was still early days.

However, a new obstacle arose when OP's ex, who suffered severe allergies to animals, objected to their son's involvement at the shelter. Despite OP's efforts to mitigate the situation by having her son change clothes and shower after volunteering, her ex remained adamant.

This disagreement escalated into an argument, with OP standing firm on her decision to continue allowing their son to volunteer at the shelter.

OP's 13-year-old son struggles with anger problems, despite counseling, the program isn't helping, and they've recommended he volunteer at the animal shelter instead, essentially asking him to leave.

OP reached out to the animal shelter and got approval to start working with big dogs initially, gradually transitioning to smaller ones as trust builds.

He's been attending sessions after school for the past two weeks and it seems beneficial.

OP's ex is severely allergic to animals he wants OP not to take their son to the shelter, but OP refuses.

OP's ex's unpredictable schedule, makes planning difficult, hindering effective allergy management despite the son's efforts.

OP should put her child's needs first.

No clear "bad guy" here, just a need for open communication.

Working with animals might not be safe for someone with anger issues.

Lack of communication affects a child's well-being.

The father should contribute solutions to mitigate the problem.

The mother ensures her son is clean before going to his dad's, adjusts to the dad's inconsistent schedule, and takes the lead in addressing her son's anger issues.

OP's son should shower, wear clean clothes, and leave shelter clothes at OP's house to prevent hair and dander from bothering his dad.

OP has a tough situation with her son's anger problems, but she's trying hard to help him. Both parents need to talk openly and find solutions that put their son's needs first.

There's no one to blame here, but it's clear that everyone needs to work together. It might not be safe for OP's son to work with animals if he struggles with anger. Although

OP is doing her best to make sure her son is clean before visiting his dad, who has allergies. Both parents should come up with ideas to make things easier, like making sure the son showers and changes clothes after volunteering.

This way, they can all work together to keep the son safe and happy.

Damjan