Family meals are supposed to be a time of togetherness and bonding, but for one dad, they’ve turned into a source of conflict and heartache. His 9-year-old son has ARFID, a serious eating disorder that limits his diet to mostly processed “junk” foods. After making huge progress and being able to eat in public again, the dad hoped to rejoin extended family meals. ️ But his sister-in-law had other ideas… Get ready for a tale of family drama, dietary dilemmas, and a dad’s fight for his son’s inclusion.
️ Family Meals Turned Sour
Junk Food Dilemma
The Sour Grape Incident
️ Eating in Groups Made it Worse
McDonald’s Milestone
Bringing His Own Food
“Unfair” on the Other Kids ️
Wife Gets Upset, I Step In ♂️
SIL Claims Kids Shouldn’t See Him Eat “Nicer” Food
Rude for Not Taking No for an Answer?
Wife Gets Annoyed, AITA? ♂️
Clearing Things Up
SIL Turns Down Everyone
♀️ Family Won’t Go Behind SIL’s Back
Apologies for Lack of Replies
️ Family Feud Over Son’s Special Diet
This dad’s attempt to include his son with ARFID in family meals has turned into a full-blown family feud! His sister-in-law refuses to let the boy bring his own “junk” food, claiming it’s unfair to the other kids. The dad argues that it’s a medical issue and the kids can understand, but SIL won’t budge. ♀️ Wife gets upset, dad gets annoyed, and now the whole extended family is divided. The internet has some strong opinions on this one! ️ Let’s see what the top responses have to say about this family food fight. ️ Grab your popcorn, it’s about to get juicy!
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Fair point about treating everyone equally at family dinners.
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SIL isn’t responsible for your kid’s eating disorder. Find alternatives.
Compromise with mac and cheese, not Mcdonalds. Soft YTA explained.
Hosting a family dinner with buffet-style meal options. NTA
Suggests alternative to food-oriented family gatherings for nephew’s comfort
User calls out commenter for being controlling and entitled. YTA
Redditor criticized for pushing family dinners after SIL’s refusal.
User calls out OP for being unfair to kids
Proposing a solution for family meals with empathy and understanding. NAH
A comment argues that the aunt is the a**hole for banning her nephew with an eating disorder from family dinners, suggesting that the kids won’t understand mental health issues and it would create an issue. The comment suggests feeding him before going to family dinners instead.
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Respect boundaries and offer alternative solutions. YTA for insisting.
Family dinner dilemma causes resentment and hurt feelings.
Parent struggles balancing family meals and accommodating dietary restrictions.
User accuses commenter of being a YTA for hijacking SIL’s dinner
Suggestion to accommodate child’s eating disorder at family dinners.
Respect boundaries and host your own dinner
NTA for caring, but YTA for trying to impose on SIL’s home ️
Compassionate commenter defends nephew with eating disorder from family ban.
Support for accommodating dietary differences, criticism of SIL. ✊
Aunt excluded nephew with eating disorder from family dinners. Commenter acknowledges both parties’ faults and suggests finding inclusive alternatives.
Suggest non-food related activities or find a snack compromise.
NTA for advocating reasonable accommodations for disabled son. Ableism rampant.
Being considerate of other kids is important, YTA for handling poorly
Suggests a compromise for family dinners to include fun food.
Bringing own food for family dinners shouldn’t be an issue
Inclusive family meals, even with ARFID, NTA. Junk food compromise?
Engage in alternatives instead of forcing inclusion.
Empathizing with son’s ARFID struggles, family gatherings are nightmares. NAH.
Parent gets called out for being too concerned about their child
Empathy and understanding can go a long way
Criticism of OP’s decision to exclude nephew from family dinners.
ARFID is a life-threatening illness, not just a kid’s fussiness.
A commenter with ARFID shares advice on attending family dinners.
McDonald’s for family dinner? NTA mom stands up for son’s ED
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Supportive comment calls out SIL for alienating nephew with condition
NTA defends family with eating disorder against ignorant family members.
Compassionate approach to explaining cousin’s eating disorder.
Advice to be patient and not pushy with family inclusion.
Preventing a meltdown is understandable, but excluding a person with an illness is ESH. Your son doesn’t feel left out and would be uncomfortable anyway. It’s best not to go. Invite older members to your house for a meal if you really want a meal with extended family for your son. ️
Support for NTA and criticism of SIL’s behavior
NAH. SIL not obligated to cater but son deserves socialization
SIL might be struggling with her kids’ diets. Plan alternatives
Supportive reply to a banned nephew with an eating disorder.
You kept pushing after a clear ‘no.’ YTA ♀️
User calls out OP for being TA for banning nephew.
Empathetic comment acknowledges SIL’s boundaries and offers alternative solutions.
Suggests a considerate solution for accommodating family dinner with son.
Suggesting fun alternatives to food-centered family gatherings
Respectful compromise suggested for excluding nephew with eating disorder.
Trying to dictate SIL’s house = AH. SIL should be more understanding. Eating together isn’t only option for family time. ESH
NAH for asking but family dinners not the place for it ♂️
Family dinners shouldn’t exclude those with dietary restrictions. NTA.
Teaching kids about medical disorders is important. NTA
A commenter agrees with the Aunt’s decision to ban nephew from dinner
Understanding and compromise can help kids learn about differences!
Suggests alternative dinner plans and defends against being an A-hole. NAH.
Curious about ARFID and its historical context. Interesting perspective.
Advocating for child with eating disorder vs SIL’s boundaries.
Family dinner hiatus due to disability accommodation. NAH.
Understanding and empathy for those with food disorders.
Healthy eating is important but exclusion can be harmful. ️
NTA parent teaches valuable lesson on fairness and inclusion
Suggests a reasonable alternative to include nephew in family meals.
Aunt refuses to let nephew with eating disorder attend dinners. NAH.
Standing up for son’s health condition, family should include him
User calls out OP for being TA, suggests a compromise.
McDonald’s isn’t food, it’s poison. Do you agree? ♀️
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Compassionate advice on family dinner controversy and eating disorder stigma.
Compromise suggested for excluding nephew with eating disorder from dinners.
Suggests a reasonable compromise for family dinners.
OP may have pushed too hard, but excluding a family member is wrong. ESH.
Understanding and educating children about eating disorders. NAH
Supportive comment, encourages speaking up to other family members. NTA
SIL sets boundaries for her kids, NAH. Suggestions to compromise.
NAH’s sister has the right to manage her own challenges
SIL has a point, but compromising could work.
User implies loose parenting caused son’s eating disorder. Yikes.
Clarification needed on nephew’s behavior during family dinners.
Suggests alternatives to banning nephew from family dinners.
OP’s insistence ruins chance for compromise with SIL.
Defending nephew with eating disorder against Y-T-A comments.
Hosting a dinner once a month won’t hurt anyone. NTA
Sharing safe foods at family dinners can make everyone comfortable.
Finding a compromise for family dinners with NAH comment.
Father advocates for his son with eating disorder, NTA
