Man Lets Son Call Best Friend 'Dad,' Wife Goes Ballistic

Chifundo
An angry woman.
Unsplash | Julien L

A father's love for his son is never in doubt but when the mother of the child is not as enthusiastic, it can cause a rift. A man shares his experience of being a single parent, with his best friend stepping in as a co-parent, and how his son now calls him "Dad."

The father is happy with the arrangement but the mother is not. Is he in the wrong for allowing his son to call his best friend "Dad"? Read the full story to find out more.

Read the update on the controversial parenting choice

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A heartwarming tribute to an unwavering friendship ❤️

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Father's best friend becomes a father figure for his baby

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Father insults wife after letting son call friend 'Dad'. 💔

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Man lets son call best friend "Dad," wife goes ballistic 😱

A man shares his story of how he acted as a single parent for his son and how his best friend helped him through it. But when his son started calling his best friend "Dad," his wife went ballistic. Despite his wife's reaction, he didn't correct his son and even got his best friend's approval.

The situation has caused a huge downward spiral in his relationship with his wife. Does he have the right to let his son call his best friend "Dad" or is he the a-hole in this situation?

Read on to find out and let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

Normalize close emotional friendships between men. NTA for examining feelings.

yeti_mann12466 | yeti_mann12466

Father seeks support from friend, wife jealous and suspicious. NTA.

flyvlihood | flyvlihood

Father takes on all responsibility for son, wife uninterested 😕

EarNo2652 | EarNo2652

A mother with PPD shares her experience and advises the husband to offer unconditional support and therapy to his wife.

somelikeithannah | somelikeithannah

Debate over whether husband is TA for son calling friend 'Dad'

IndustryKiller | IndustryKiller

Neglecting wife's depression and child's relationship. YTA.

mstahl302 | mstahl302

Growing up with a depressed parent affects emotional regulation. NTA.

elizardbethj | elizardbethj

Father criticized for leaving sick wife alone to care for child. YTA 🤦‍♂️

nnv321 | nnv321

Postpartum is a huge deal and she needs help. Matt's NTA.

kbass5 | kbass5

Father struggles to bond with son and wife, but finds reward 🍼

swishystrawberry | swishystrawberry

Doubts raised about the validity of the story 🤔

Bugzappagal2 | Bugzappagal2

Commenter accuses OP of being selfish and having an emotional affair.

halfrayne24 | halfrayne24

Debate on whether PPD excuses prolonged uninvolved parenting 🤔

Primary-Criticism929 | Primary-Criticism929

Husband criticized for emotionally cheating and playing house with friend.

languid_Disaster | languid_Disaster

Father seeks help for wife's PPD and son's secondary caregiver bond 💙

CoconutChai73 | CoconutChai73

Man's friend is a 'f***ing legend', advises therapy for wife.

the_virginwhore | the_virginwhore

Supporting a friend and seeking help for postpartum depression 💪

PoisoniusVixen | PoisoniusVixen

Commenter calls out OP for emotional affair and cheating.

witcher_rat | witcher_rat

Commenter calls out OP for not helping wife with PPD.

Accomplished_Cup900 | Accomplished_Cup900

The three of them need to talk about what a future looks like 😕

OmniGecko | OmniGecko

Mother dismisses PPD concerns, child suffers consequences. 😔

thethrowaway212134 | thethrowaway212134

Father seeks help from friend, wife disapproves. NTA.

chocolatecakedonut | chocolatecakedonut

Seeking help: A plea for more information about the situation 🤔

[deleted] | [deleted]

Speech delayed son calls best friend "Dad," wife overreacts. NT A-hole.

salamigunn | salamigunn

Supportive response to father's struggles with wife's PPD

Disastrous_Bee9079 | Disastrous_Bee9079

Commenter questions lack of support for potentially ill wife.

canvasshoes2 | canvasshoes2

Calling someone "Dad" in a time of need - NTA 🙌

SLMeros | SLMeros

Commenter calls out father for not getting his wife help for possible PPD, suggests ultimatum.

emotionalmooncake | emotionalmooncake

Man prioritizes friend over supporting wife with PPD, YTA.

firegem09 | firegem09

Breaking gender norms and having a platonic support system 🤝❤️

LongjumpingWear143 | LongjumpingWear143

Stay-at-home dad criticized for not working while wife has PPD.

DecisionSignificant3 | DecisionSignificant3

Concerned commenter questions if wife wanted child, suggests compassion and understanding.

sued_by_satan | sued_by_satan

Supportive comment suggests wife needs help due to PPD.

Automatic_Western_50 | Automatic_Western_50

Offering support to a struggling spouse during tough times ❤️

princessro123 | princessro123

Toddler calls friend "Dad", mom overreacts. NTA. 👍

Horror_Outside_5450 | Horror_Outside_5450

Commenter suggests larger issues in strained marriage, gives NAH judgment.

Ladyughsalot1 | Ladyughsalot1

Seek therapy for the sake of your family's happiness 😊

Stoney_Wan_KaBlowme | Stoney_Wan_KaBlowme

Is the use of 'Dad' a symptom of deeper issues?

DysfunctionalBunny | DysfunctionalBunny

Supportive comment encourages man to pursue relationship with best friend.

user_friendly_socks | user_friendly_socks

Preschool teacher suggests therapy for strained family dynamics. 💆‍♂️

gretch137 | gretch137

Parenting challenges and PPD struggles, ESH/YTA situation with hurtful comments 😔

Reasonable_Cookie206 | Reasonable_Cookie206

Concerned comment suggests PPD or mental health issue for wife

PaimonsLair | PaimonsLair

Breaking gender norms and embracing diverse parenting styles. 🌈

Extreme_Sock_1153 | Extreme_Sock_1153

Commenter calls out father for prioritizing friend over depressed wife 🤔

ErikaLaraj | ErikaLaraj

Supportive comment defends husband's decision to let son call friend 'Dad'

Crosshairqueen | Crosshairqueen

Curious Redditors want to hear the other side 👂

smol_cares | smol_cares

Parenting alone while spouse struggles: NTA, seek professional help 💪

unicorn_barf666 | unicorn_barf666

Is it normal to give non-relatives aunt/uncle titles? YTA.

EmGeebers | EmGeebers

Using family nicknames is harmless, wife needs therapy 🤔

Plastic_Lion7332 | Plastic_Lion7332

Navigating postpartum depression and new parenthood - communication is key 😕👶

painted_unicorn | painted_unicorn

Curious comment asks why OP isn't with Matt.

UsernameUnremarkable | UsernameUnremarkable