Tayyaba Jabeen
The decision to add a pet to one’s family can be daunting, and requires the potential owner’s careful attention to many factors. In today’s Reddit AITA story, OP and his wife find themselves struggling with a tough choice about whether to give in to their third son’s wish to adopt a cat. The family already has a bird and three dogs, a fact that introduces the possibility of potential conflicts, reactions, and overall issues within the animal’s dynamics. This has all become complicated by their two older sons having already received dogs on their tenth birthdays and the youngest one’s anticipation for the cat. OP refuses to get his youngest a cat and this is what happens:
Source: u/ProblemWithPet
#1) Is OP the AH for refusing their son when asked for a cat?
#2) OP’s wife has a bird while he has a dog. OP let his two older sons pick a pet and they chose dogs, but his third son wants a cat which makes OP and his wife nervous.
#3) OP and his wife said no to the cat because they were worried about how the cat would get along with their other pets. Their son became mad when OP called him lazy.
#4) OP’s wife tried to fix the situation by explaining to their son but he is still upset.
Source: u/ProblemWithPet
This situation is honestly very sensitive and complicated, and it definitely requires a delicate balance to be struck between the son’s wishes and the wellbeing of the household’s previously existing pets. The parents should sit down and communicate openly, also empathizing with their son’s feelings while exploring alternative solutions to address the needs and wants of the overall household. OP has also been rightfully advised to apologize to his son for the hurtful comment he made. Here’s what Redditors are saying about it:
#5) It was not an okay thing to say, especially to a 9-year-old.
#6) It’s unfair to OP’s third son if the others got to choose first and because of their choice, he can’t choose.
Via hellolittlebears
#7) Yeah, there could have been issues there too, realistically speaking.
Via idontcare8587
#8) Looking at it from OP’s son’s perspective really helps.
Via SpilledInk2022
#9) OP and his wife need to think about this.
Via nackle09
#10) Absolutely agreed, he shouldn’t be punished for OP’s expectations.
Via Garamon7
#11) An apology should be guaranteed at least.
Via DinoSnuggler
#12) I think it’s just because OP isn’t fond of cats.
Via AsparagusIll8035
#13) Hits the spot!
Via dmcsmalls
#14) It was very uncalled for.
#15) It’ll be hard to handle so many pets and kids.
Via grayfern
#16) A different solution, what do you think about it?
Via lovealwayswins14
#17) They should have had this conversation from the get-go.
#18) Having or wanting a cat doesn’t make you lazy.
#19) OP is just being avoidant of the fact that his third son wants something he didn’t expect.
Via Free_Ad_7708
#20) Exactly, there’s no proper excuse.
Via piepertuba
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