Mother Questions Whether She Is In The Wrong For Requesting Daughter Not Share Room With Special Needs Child

Alfe Mercado
Boy strolling
Unsplash | Rachael Crowe

As a mother of four with a son who has autism and ADHD, a woman sought a break for her eldest daughter from having to share a room with a special needs child on a school trip. Although the daughter had previously shown kindness to the child, the mother wanted to give her a chance to be a kid again. After agreeing to the request, the mother faced backlash from the special needs child's mother, who accused her of raising her daughter to be intolerant. While the mother feels terrible for the child, she also worries about her son being isolated. Read more to decide, AITA?

Meet the family of five girls and one boy! 👧👧👧👧👦

shoopersharn | shoopersharn

10-year-old shows maturity beyond years in helping special needs sibling ❤️

shoopersharn | shoopersharn

Daughter's kindness towards special needs classmate warms mother's heart ❤️

shoopersharn | shoopersharn

Daughter asked to room with special needs child on school trip

shoopersharn | shoopersharn

Daughter's emotional turmoil raises concern over special needs inclusion 🤔

shoopersharn | shoopersharn

Parents struggle to balance attention between special needs child and baby 👶

shoopersharn | shoopersharn

Mom wants daughter to be a 'little girl' away from special needs child 🧒👧

shoopersharn | shoopersharn

Mum questions sharing room with special needs child on school trip

shoopersharn | shoopersharn

Mother struggles with decision to separate daughter from special needs child ❤️

shoopersharn | shoopersharn

Balancing accommodations for special needs child and siblings' needs 🤔

shoopersharn | shoopersharn

Redditor feels guilty for not helping mother with special needs child

shoopersharn | shoopersharn

Mother debates whether to prioritize daughter's needs or special needs child

A mother seeks advice on whether she is wrong for requesting her daughter not share a room with a special needs child during a school trip. Despite her daughter's willingness to help, the mother worries about her daughter's mental well-being and ability to be a child. However, the special needs child's mother is upset and feels abandoned. Who should bear the burden of accommodation in this situation? Read on to find out what people are saying.

NTA for prioritizing Izzy's need for a break from Maisy.

lesbianinthewild | lesbianinthewild

Child should not be burdened with adult responsibilities at home or school. 😔

halfwaygonetoo | halfwaygonetoo

NTA commenter empathizes with daughter, suggests Maisy's mom is parentifying.

Dontdrinkthecoffee | Dontdrinkthecoffee

Mother defends daughter's right to be a child amidst special needs debate ❤️

plm56 | plm56

Protecting your child's needs is important, NTA 👏

itchybottombees | itchybottombees

Protecting daughter's kindness: NTA for requesting daughter's own room. 💕

Anothermeatballpls | Anothermeatballpls

NTA for requesting daughter not share room with special needs child. Needs careful consideration to prevent parentification of neurotypical siblings.

pinguthegreek | pinguthegreek

Encouraging a child to be a caregiver is not okay 💔

nome5314 | nome5314

Let your daughter have a break and switch schools 😊

Solid_Quote9133 | Solid_Quote9133

A personal experience with special needs siblings and the importance of fair treatment 🙏

RadioSupply | RadioSupply

A Special Educational Needs teacher defends OP's daughter's right to enjoy her school trip without being responsible for her less able peers' education 🙌

GoldFreezer | GoldFreezer

OP's parenting may inadvertently cause daughter to resent growing up.

mrpak0 | mrpak0

NTA - Daughter is not a therapist, she deserves to enjoy trip 🚶‍♀️

[deleted] | [deleted]

Former special needs buddy agrees with daughter not sharing room. 👍

Twizzlers_and_donuts | Twizzlers_and_donuts

Advocating for your child's needs on a trip 🌟

bradjanetrocky | bradjanetrocky

Commenter calls out alarming language and stresses importance of not making a 10 year old a caregiver. YTA for even asking.

JK11_ | JK11_

Prioritize your child's happiness and support her good intentions ❤️

TehG0vernment | TehG0vernment

Parenting a child with anxiety is tough, but this supportive comment helps 🤗

fabfameight | fabfameight

Prioritizing children's enjoyment on a trip. 🚸

wind-river7 | wind-river7

NTA, it's important for your child to have a break 🧡

Lopoetve | Lopoetve

Daughter shouldn't be the 'caretaker' for another child. NTA 👏

Sheeps_n_Birds | Sheeps_n_Birds

Setting boundaries is important for personal wellbeing. 🙌

Wrong_Significance67 | Wrong_Significance67

Why was Maisy unsupported on the trip? 🤔

3kidsonetrenchcoat | 3kidsonetrenchcoat

Don't let adults guilt your child into being a therapist 👧💔🚫

Beautiful_Storm1988 | Beautiful_Storm1988

Mother struggles to balance daughter's comfort with special needs child's inclusion 🤔

tubesweaterguru | tubesweaterguru

Don't let others guilt you into sacrificing your child's comfort ❤️

JadeGrapes | JadeGrapes

Protecting daughter's space: NTA. But compassion for special needs child.

Andrea_frm_DubT | Andrea_frm_DubT

Standing up for Izzy's needs - NTA

PendragonINTJ | PendragonINTJ

Don't let the other mother influence your decision ❤️

BattleKitten17 | BattleKitten17

NTA mom's responsibility to prioritize daughter's emotional needs over others'.

HiddenDestiny251 | HiddenDestiny251

Protecting daughter's autonomy in friendship with special needs child. 👍

ghostforest | ghostforest

Letting Izzy be a kid without responsibility. 🙌

squirrel118 | squirrel118

Siblings of special needs children struggle with their own mental health ❤️

Idkhowtouse_reddit | Idkhowtouse_reddit

Encourage daughter to speak up if overwhelmed helping special needs child 🤝

Sufficient_Cat | Sufficient_Cat

Let kids be kids. 🧒 Your daughter deserves a space to unwind. NTA.

Athena2560 | Athena2560

Respecting boundaries is important for both friendships and neurodiversity 🤝

[deleted] | [deleted]

Sibling of autistic child defends Izzy's decision, NTA.

dk91939 | dk91939

Prioritizing your child's needs is not selfish. 👍

[deleted] | [deleted]

Parental pressure on child caregiver causing breakdowns, YTA.

Rude_Ostrich_503 | Rude_Ostrich_503

Parent stands up for daughter's needs in sensitive situation 🙌

GrizeldaLovesCats | GrizeldaLovesCats

Retired teacher suggests separating special needs student, supports OP. ✅

PurpleAquilegia | PurpleAquilegia

Compassionate daughter not at fault for not wanting to share room 💕

ezztothebezz | ezztothebezz

Child shouldn't bear responsibility for special needs accommodation, NTA 👍

NarrowAerie8044 | NarrowAerie8044

Support for mother requesting daughter's space, advocating for special needs child.

theangrychihuahua96 | theangrychihuahua96

Mother questions daughter's rooming with special needs child. Commenter suggests school and mother provide support. #InclusiveEducation 🌟

bibbiddybobbidyboo | bibbiddybobbidyboo

Mother stands up for daughter's rights without being rude 🙌

unknown_928121 | unknown_928121

Mother seeks advice on daughter's stress levels around special needs child.

Los3r_gurl_22 | Los3r_gurl_22

Is it fair to 'parentify' a 10-year-old? 🤔

quellerosien | quellerosien

A tough situation without easy answers, NTA for setting boundaries 🤝

Rooster_Local | Rooster_Local