Redditor Asks If She Will Be Wrong For Not Letting Her Son Spend The Fourth Of July With His Late Father's Family

"That's far too much to put on a little boy."

Stephanie

• Published in Interesting
• December 29, 2023

The loss of a parent is immensely felt at any age, but for a child, it's truly unbearable. So when Reddit user u/Outlaw-woman's ex-husband passed away, her eight-year-old son took it really hard.

The OP and her son's father "John," had not been together for seven years at the time of his passing, and she is now remarried with two other children. Her husband also has three children from a previous relationship, so it can be tricky to arrange to have all of the children together at the same time.

The OP's new husband has been a huge support for her son and has helped him process his grief. He even bought the little boy a special necklace to carry his dad's ashes in.

The Redditor says she has happily let her son spend Father's Day with his grandparents to celebrate his dad's memory. She has made sure her son was there for every event the family held to celebrate John's life and has been happy to do so for her son's sake and theirs.

John's family finds comfort in having his son around as he looks just like his father and it makes them feel like there is still a piece of John with them. But, this year, before John passed away, he had agreed that their son would spend the Fourth of July holiday with the OP and her husband.

She was looking forward to finally having all of her children together to celebrate. So, when John's mom asked the OP if they could keep her son for the Fourth of July, she wasn't quite sure what to do.

They were planning some special fireworks as a celebration for John, and his mom said they wanted his son to be there. The OP explained that she had been looking forward to having her son home for the holiday and that John had agreed to the arrangements.

But John's mother told the OP she was being selfish because they needed her son with them. The Redditor says she and her husband always try to accommodate John's family, but she didn't appreciate being guilt-tripped.

Now the OP is wondering if she's the a**hole here. Keep scrolling to see how people reacted.

The Redditor asked if she will be an a**hole for not letting her son spend the Fourth of July with his dad's family.

She explained that her son's father "John" had recently passed away.

The OP and John had separated seven years prior, and she is now remarried with two other children.

Her husband also has three children from a previous relationship.

The OP says her son took his father's passing very hard.

The OP's husband has been very supportive of her son in his grieving process.

The Redditor's son spends a lot of time with his father's family, remembering and celebrating his dad.

The OP says she has no problem with that.

This year, the OP and John had decided that their son would spend the Fourth of July with her.

But John's mother asked the OP if they could keep her son for the Fourth of July celebrations.

The OP said she wasn't sure as she had been looking forward to having all of her kids together for the holiday.

Now the OP is wondering if she'll be an a**hole for not letting her son stay with them.

Here's how people reacted.

"That's far too much to put on a little boy."

"They are using him as a stand-in for their son."

NTA.

"They are out of order guilt tripping you."

That's not okay.

"Bring him home."

"Respect his opinion."

He's her "emotional support animal."

What are your thoughts on this situation? Do you think the OP should send her son to be with John's family for the celebrations, or should she stick to her guns and keep him home with her?

We would love to hear your opinions on this. You can share your thoughts with us in the comment section.

Stephanie