Woman Faces Criticism for Letting Nieces And Nephews Play With Toys At Funeral

The woman and her sister think that it's unfair to expect a four-year-old and a two-year-old

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• Published in Interesting
• January 23, 2024

In different social gatherings, people are expected to act in a specific way. During funerals, for example, it's only natural to express condolences, offer support to grieving family members, and maintain a somber and respectful demeanor, acknowledging the solemnity of the occasion.

However, it's unrealistic to anticipate children exhibiting impeccable decorum in gatherings like funerals. Ideally, they might be engrossed in quiet play with a toy or two.

Today's story from the "Am I The A**hole?" (AITA) subreddit is about how a woman handled her niblings at a funeral. But even if she did her best to keep the little ones quiet, the way she did so wasn't appreciated.

The original poster (OP) told the community that she helped her single mother sister with a 4-year-old niece and 2-year-old nephew. Since they'll be handling two potentially noisy kids, they came prepared.

Equipped with quiet toys, headphones, coloring books, and strategic walks outside, the kids remained well-behaved during her aunt's funeral. However, the family's reaction was unexpected.

After receiving numerous scolding messages and calls for not making the kids watch the service and for allowing them to play, the woman and her sister found themselves questioning if they were in the wrong. Some criticized the presence of toys, while others argued that the children needed to learn to sit still and be obedient.

The OP and her sister, however, believed that expecting such behavior from a 4-year-old and a 2-year-old during a funeral was unrealistic.

OP asked the community if she and her sister were wrong for allowing two kids to play at a funeral.

OP tells the community that she has a sister with two kids.

She helps taking care of the kids, especially since her sister is a single mom.

The entire family gathers during funerals. This time, the OP and her sister came prepared by bringing toys for the little ones.

OP and her sister were successful in keeping the kids quiet while they were at the funeral.

But their relatives didn't like that the kids were playing. They expected the kids to pay their respects to the dead.

OP and her sister believe that expecting kids to behave during such an event is unreasonable.

The two kids are two young to understand how to properly behave at a funeral.

Kids will be kids, even at funerals.

The OP's story had some people sharing their experiences with kids in such events.

You can only expect a toddler to be a toddler, no matter where they are.

The OP's relatives are indeed delusional if they think that kids can behave without the toys.

The OP and her sister did what's best. Everyone didn't have to deal with noisy kids because the OP brought toys along.

The relatives should be thankful that the OP and her sister came with the toys and other items to keep them quiet. Things could've been worse without things that entertain the little children.

At ages two and four, the relatives can't expect the little kids to properly pay their respects to the OP's aunt. The OP should pay no mind to the negative comments and do the same thing if they need to attend this kind of event with the kids.

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