He Skipped His Dad’s Retirement Party And Took His Kids To Legoland Because His Mom Invited His Daughter But Asked Him Not To Bring His Son, Who Isn’t His Biological Child
This 42-year-old man’s wife, 30, has a 15-year-old son from a previous relationship. He legally adopted his son; two years ago, he and his wife had a daughter.
They met when she was 20 and a student in a trades program where he was teaching. She was doing her best to provide for her son, and he helped her with her classes during her first year in the program. At the end of the year, he wished her the best.
While teaching during his now-wife’s second and third year in the program, he saw her grow from someone just learning how to be an adult in the world to a capable tradesperson. After she completed the program, he recommended her for a job at a company that entrusted him.
Once she became a foreman and earned a white hat, she stopped by the school she’d graduated from to thank him for his help. In response, he assured her that she was the one responsible for her accomplishments and he’d only provided guidance.
After that, they went to coffee together. Then, they had lunch a few times and dinner. They eventually started dating and married a year later. His wife gave birth to their daughter two years later and returned to her job. He found a position at a new company as a Quality Control Inspector.
“My ex-wife is my mom and dad’s favorite person. They like her more than they like me. Even after she divorced me because I stuck with teaching instead of making bank in the field,” he said.
Over the years, while teaching, he witnessed hundreds of couples break up because the partners working in the trade, usually men, worked too much. He’s never seen it the other way around where someone filed for divorce because their partner didn’t work enough, but that’s why his ex-wife filed for divorce. They didn’t have any children.
He’d been divorced for three years when he and his now-wife met, but his parents have continued to invite his ex-wife to their family gatherings. Eventually, his ex, a teacher, married another teacher, and they seem to have a wonderful marriage. His father recently retired after an impressive career, and his mother planned a huge retirement party.
“When she invited me, she said it would be boring, and I did not need to bring my son. She has known him since he was 10 years old, and it still bugs her that he is not biologically mine,” he explained.
Katherine Welles – stock.adobe.com – illustrative purposes only
During the conversation, he asked his mother if his nieces and nephews were invited, and she said they were. He asked if his daughter was allowed to come to the party, and she said she was. In response, he told his mother he would discuss the idea with his wife and get back to her.
However, he’d already decided not to attend the party because he didn’t want to attend a gathering where his son wasn’t allowed.
On the day of his father’s retirement party, he and his family spent the day at Legoland. His son adores Legos, and his daughter adores the bright Lego colors. His mother was furious that he and his family skipped the party.
“She told everyone I chose to spoil my kids instead of celebrating my father with family. I told my brother, sisters, and dad that she tried to convince me not to bring my son. They all lost it on her,” he shared.
While he could have attended the party and brought his son against his mother’s wishes, he knew it would have caused drama. He didn’t want to ruin his father’s party, and he decided that being honest with everyone about why he and his family weren’t attending would have caused tension, too.
Since his mother is so petty, he didn’t think it would have been healthy for his son to experience her toxic behavior.
So, he thought it was best to skip the party altogether without letting anyone know he wouldn’t be there. Even if his family thought it was selfish of him to do so, he preferred that option. Since the party, his mom was upset because the entire family was furious that she didn’t include his son, which was why he and his family didn’t attend.
Luckily, the rest of his family members welcomed his son into the family. His mother was the only one who had an issue with his son and didn’t support his decision to adopt him. She has been angry that he and his ex-wife didn’t reconcile. His mom thought he was cruel for telling his family why he refused to attend the party.
Do you think he did the right thing?
You can read the original post on Reddit here.
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